VAN NUYS : Case of ‘Tagger’ Who Was ‘Tagged’ Ends in Mistrial
The case of an alleged “tagger” who was “tagged” ended in a mistrial Thursday when a Van Nuys Municipal Court jury was unable to reach a verdict on vandalism charges against him.
Jurors split 7 to 4 in favor of a verdict of not guilty, with one juror undecided, in the trial of Walter Castro. Police said Castro, 19-year-old Los Angeles man, was putting his initials on light poles on Santa Monica Boulevard in east Hollywood on July 15 when two rivals accosted him. They used Castro’s own spray can to paint graffiti on his head and shirt and then fled, the officer said.
In discussions with jurors after the trial, Deputy City Atty. Janet Ramos conceded that her case was weak. The police officer who testified could not say whether paint on the light pole Castro was accused of defacing was wet or dry when he arrived.
Ramos decided not to seek another trial, and charges against Castro were dropped.
The men who painted Castro remain at large.
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