PITTSBURGH — An indecent exposure charge will be dropped against a Carnegie Mellon University student who tossed condoms to spectators while dressed half-nude as the pope during a performing arts event in April.
The American Civil Liberties Union announced the deal in which 19-year-old Katherine O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, must perform 80 hours of community service. If she does that by Oct. 21, the charge will be dismissed by a city magistrate.
University police charged O'Connor May 10, but only after Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik complained privately to school officials then expressed his public concerns that O'Connor's performance was intolerant of Catholicism.
University President Jared Cohon had previously apologized, saying the school encourages artistic expression but acknowledging public nudity is illegal.
“Nudity in art has been with us for as long as there has been art,” said O’Connor’s attorney Jon Pushinsky.
CMU student Robb Goddshaw also faced indecent exposure charges for public nudity. His charges will also be withdrawn if he performs 80 hours of community service.
“The faculty knew what was going on, they approved it. If going forward they want to re-write the rules to say that there are certain limits, that's fine,” said Vic Walczak, Goddshaw’s attorney. “If CMU wants to continue to have these exhibits and they want to draw lines and say there are limits on what you can do, then they can go ahead and do that, but give fair warning to the students.”
Previous Stories: