Newbury Park Man Faces 4 Misdemeanor Charges For Jumbo Anti-Romney Sign
NEWBURY PARK (CBSLA.com) — A Ventura County man who placed a jumbo anti-Romney sign on the front lawn of his Newbury Park home appeared in court on Friday to face four misdemeanor counts.
The District Attorney's office filed the charges against 54-year-old Steven Showers, a Republican from Newbury Park.
"These charges are violations of the Ventura County Sign Ordinance regarding excessive blinking lights, excessive brightness on signs in a neighborhood," said Steve Slyker, a Ventura County Deputy District Attorney.
Showers arrived at Ventura County Superior Court for his arraignment wearing a monk's robe and carrying a shepherd's staff and shield. The proceeding was postponed while he searches for legal representation.
"That wasn't the outcome I was looking for. I thought I would be able to make a quick case that the charges are groundless," Showers told CBS2's Amy Johnson.
Showers landed in legal trouble after placing a 10-foot-high wooden structure and neon sign that says "Romney's Racist Heart Dotcom. Save the GOP" in his front yard last August.
Johnson reports that the county, however, told Showers that the sign would have to come down or be made smaller.
"I never thought for a second to take down the sign because I always felt that it was my constitutional right to have it up," he said.
Showers is expected appear back in court in two weeks.
RELATED STORY:
» 10-Foot-Tall Anti-Romney Neon Sign Erected In Newbury Park Neighborhood
