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Woman guilty of public nudity

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jun 29, 2006 - 12:12:09 am CDT

In the end, the pink fabric paint wasn’t enough to save a 23-year-old Lincoln woman from a public nudity conviction.

A Lincoln judge found Melissa Harrington guilty last week of violating a city ordinance when she emceed a wet T-shirt contest at Cheerleaders on March 4, topless.

Harrington argued she wasn’t violating the law, which requires an opaque covering over the areola and nipple, because she wore pink paint, like a pastie, on that part of her breasts.

Story Photo
Harrington

An officer testified at her trial that, if she had paint on that night, he couldn’t tell.

Harrington said she mixed the paint to match her skin, and it dried with a latex-like texture that peeled off.

Her attorney, Chad Wythers, even offered a sample, similar to what she’d been wearing that night, as an exhibit.

In her ruling, Lancaster County Judge Jean A. Lovell said the paint wasn’t enough.

“An examination of Exhibit 1 clearly reveals areas that are transparent and translucent,” she wrote.

According to the ordinance, the covering must be fully opaque, not transparent or translucent.

Next comes Harrington’s sentencing. She could face as much as eight months in jail or a $500 fine when Lovell sentences her Aug. 2.


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She`s NOT dumb wrote on June 29, 2006 1:40 am:
" I think this sentencing of eight months and/or $500 fine is enough , this young lady knew what she was doing and so did the bar ! I think she should recieve both maybe that would teach her and the bar both a lesson . "

 ET wrote on June 29, 2006 2:12 am:
" Insane. That's what this is. We just can't quit wasting time on this. Lancaster county/Lincoln should just ban sex and nudity except between two old, fat, ugly people that want to breed, (no pleasure and for one man, one woman only!), and just be done with it. It's obvious that there are a fair number of people around who can't stand the fact that there are beautiful women around and can't stand the fact that some peoples' idea of 'morality' is different from their own. The Journal Star is also unwittingly helping this woman stay famous by continuing to publish articles on her, knowing that the only thing that can possibly come of it is to make more money for Melissa, and give her more popularity. Big deal. This woman is laughing at everyone and I think it's funny too. You prudes that all hate her will still be working your dumb, dead-end jobs and living your little hate-filled lives 20 years from now while she's sipping Cognac on her multi-million dollar beach-front property - and still laughing at you. "

 Allan wrote on June 29, 2006 6:39 am:
" One way the mayor can cut our property tax rates is to reduce the number of police and staff in the city attorney's office! Clearly, they are not spending their time protecting the city from REAL criminals. Bloated government leads to this kind of foolishness... "

 E wrote on June 29, 2006 7:08 am:
" You mean to tell me that all those guys outside sans shirt are wearing paint? Gees, and all this time I thought it was just blubbery nasty fat. Thank god we get to be graced with that and not beautiful women. Good ol' Nebraska "

 Cindy wrote on June 29, 2006 7:27 am:
" If this girl could learn to follow the laws and stop pushing the limits nobody would have to waste money on this - she is what she is, and that is illegal. If the county lets her get by with this, where to do they re-draw the line?? She needs to get a real job and pay her bills like the rest of us do ... I'm not sure what is wrong with someone who wants this kind of attention on a regular basis. Somewhere along the line I think she missed the pride and dignity genes. "

 Andy wrote on June 29, 2006 8:44 am:
" Consenting adults should be able to do what they want. All you ugly women out there quit trying to legislate morality. Maybe we need laws against you fat, old, uglies from wearing spandex or halters or short shorts that show your ugly fat thighs. Grow up, blue hairs! "

 Sparki wrote on June 29, 2006 9:00 am:
" I feel so sorry for this women. Her mind is so twisted, she sells her body like a prostitute. What a shame. She could actually be doing something GOOD in this world instead of teaching people to treat women as though they are only good for ogling and fondling and nothing more. "

 PT wrote on June 29, 2006 9:06 am:
" Does she really need to get a "real" job? I think shes doing just fine paying her own bills. "

 Lincolnite wrote on June 29, 2006 9:08 am:
" You know, Melissa is going to laugh all the way to the bank. And she should. In a city where our leadership bitches about the lack of sales tax dollars and then turns down the opportunity for large retail stores to come into the city ... and where people are complaining about taxes to fund our wonderful city leadership and their 'priorities' ... we citizens see our law enforcement going after something like this. Just yesterday a certain publication in Omaha mentioned that the Lincoln Police force was deployed at midnight the day the smoking ban went into effect and issued citations. Yet you have speeders, drunk drivers, kids, and general idiots out driving around the city streets while the cops are in bars looking for smokers and nudity. Priorities? "

 Nemesis wrote on June 29, 2006 9:11 am:
" Ms. Harrington is a genius. She gets more publicity for free from the police than she could ever go out and buy for any price. This story will hit international media outlets on the Internet and drive literally millions of people to her website. I would be surprised if this incident didn't bring her at least an additional $10,000 in revenue TODAY! And most of that revenue is recurring monthly fees that she will keep getting month after month. I only wish I had half her entrepreneurial and marketing skills. "

 jr wrote on June 29, 2006 9:25 am:
" why is it fine for men to go around topless (or in those speedo!) But if a woman does it she could go to jail for 8 months? What a joke. "

 Hey are you out there? wrote on June 29, 2006 10:43 am:
" Why are people concerned about this? I mean, if you were there and saw her the way she was, then you could have left. But most of the people making these judgemental comments weren't there, so it did not affect them. HELLO, Wet T Shirt contest...what would someone expect from that? Leave her alone, if I ever got the chance I would do the same thing she is doing. The fact of it is, this makes money. If it was so bad, and the majority of people did not support it then the "problem" would heal itself as it would bring in no revenue. PS Melissa, put me on your site and we can laugh together at how it is the husbands of the jealous women who are complaining paying for our bills! "

 CS wrote on June 29, 2006 11:18 am:
" The problem is that she didn't push the limits based on the statute. The problem is the selective interpretation of the statute. Opaque is opaque-not "well, it didn't look that way to ME" as it was said by an officer at the trial. They had to leave and look up the statute to see if they could charge her with anything after the fact-if it was SO evident that she was 'nude' in public they should have cited her right there. I see just as much driving by apartment complexes with pools on my way home from work in south Lincoln. If its so indecent then LPD needs to drive around town and look for this more often since I apparently can't make the decision myself over what is indecent or not. "

 Jenna wrote on June 29, 2006 11:34 am:
" My parents don't know how I afford to drive a new corvette and live on a golf course in south lincoln. Little do they know but I have a great night job. I don't even have to leave my home if I choose not to and get paid on my site. She is doing what makes her feel good and making more money at it than you cry babies. It's a great life style my now husband had no idea for a few years. Note to all the local women, mothers, wifes, and girlfriends the earning potential is endless!! Thanks to the city of lincoln for increasing her salary by thousands for the future months. "

 Nykki wrote on June 29, 2006 11:51 am:
" the people gripping and talking bad about Melissa just have nothing better to do. They act like she is the only one that shows her boobs and everything else. come on!! It's 2006.. If you dont agree with it than read about something else.. "

 Josh wrote on June 29, 2006 12:07 pm:
" The fact is that if people truly didn't like what she is doing, she wouldn't be making any money and the "problem" would go away. Is she really doing anything wrong? I don't think so.... the fact that a group of cops needs to follow her around every time she goes to a bar, then sit there and ponder whether or not she *might* have broken an ordinance is so stupid, and a waste of taxpayer dollars. I'm sure there are more important things the cops could be doing in this town. And to those who "feel sorry" for Melissa, I don't think there is any need to talk down to her that way. Her choice is different than yours, but in no way inferior to yours. If she is proud of her body and knows she can make money showing it off, then good for her- because I am sure she's making VERY good money with it. In fact she's making more money doing that than most of us do who bust our butts in 40+ hour per week jobs, so who should people really be feeling sorry for? "

 Mike wrote on June 29, 2006 12:58 pm:
" Someone needs to tell the LPD that while they are wasting time on this case, actual crimes are being committed in the City of LIncoln. Let's prioritize, regroup, and see if we can't focus on something that effects life and property in Lincoln. "

 Bill wrote on June 29, 2006 1:17 pm:
" So I better stop having pool parties??? Don't want to get in trouble when the women swim and sunbath topless. O wait my private property is just that private property, not the publics property. Never been hassled at my south lincoln home. That bar was private property also right? Shoot now I will have 6 or more lincoln officers watching my backyard, HAHAHA. Get to work!! "

 Mrs. B wrote on June 29, 2006 2:45 pm:
" LPD is pathetic - enough said. Find a way to spend your time more wisely. You're just giving Melissa free publicity and she's raking it in. Good for her!!! If you're going to be so petty on pink paint on her nipples, she deserves the publicity. She has a new house in Capital Beach and she drives a new sporty car. THE CITY OF LINCOLN IS STUPID!!! Go catch some real criminals, maybe solve some bank robberies or missing people cases!!! Stop spending our tax dollars on petty pathetic crap!! "

 kw wrote on June 29, 2006 3:37 pm:
" you may think LPD is wasting time on Melissa when she is making public appearances, but they are missing the times she is being lewd and disgusting without a slew of police around, like at a children's baseball game doing a photo shoot and obscene things with a bat and children have to come and ask why that girl is doing naughty things with a bat. I think what she chooses to do with her life is fine, but keep it on her own private property. "

 Gela wrote on June 29, 2006 3:45 pm:
" YEAH! I hope you throw the book at her and she gets both punishments!!! And I hope this stops her immediately! Put her in jail for 8 months so we don't have to see her! This is not behavior I would like to see in a bar - there are cheezy places for such nudity and those girls need a real life! I wish all of those bars were closed as well! Put a shirt on Melissa! "

 Gary wrote on June 29, 2006 4:33 pm:
" Hey Gela...I know how you can avoid seeing such things in a bar...when you see a giant sign advertising "WET T-SHIRT CONTEST TONITE" out in front of the bar, you can get back in your car and leave. It truly is that simple...don't go in...that's it. End of story. "

 appeal wrote on June 29, 2006 4:52 pm:
" I still don't see where the proof is that she wasn't covered. Whether you agree with her or not (for the record I could care less). From a legal stand point innocent until proven guilty. The Journal can't quote the entire trial, but what was in the article doesn't seem to give much proof on her guilt. I hope she appeals, wins and gets more publicity. It's not her fault she's smart and beautiful. What she's doing may be immoral, but how many others are guilty of immoral acts, it's just not public. Does that make it okay? If you want pray for her, but don't judge her, it's not your place, unless your actually the judge. "

 Hemet wrote on June 29, 2006 5:07 pm:
" Who was the Nincompoop that called the police? "

 ET wrote on June 29, 2006 5:38 pm:
" Gela, you say you don't want to see in a bar, then you say you want the bars closed. So, what do you want? Do you expect bars to be family fun centers? Hypocrite. "

 Jenny wrote on June 29, 2006 7:43 pm:
" Melissa I give you HUGE props!!!! They sure are making you a household name! How many of these husbands watching the news or reading the paper are going to be NEW CUSTOMERS for your website! It's so true that they are giving you more money and power, all for a stupid fine. Keep moving along and put Lincoln in the dust, this city sucks anyway...nobody knows how to have fun-except you;) "

 MC wrote on June 29, 2006 9:11 pm:
" It's really sad how female breasts frighten a few people so badly that they imagine their danger level to warrant this kind of fuss. I'm a lot more worried about ignorant law officers with guns than women with un-holstered boobs. Someday when more people are enlightened, women in this country will be permitted to go topless anywhere in public that men can, and then even the ignorant opponents of naked nipples and areolas will forced to wonder what all of the fuss was about. As far as the comment from Gela telling Melissa to put a shirt on, I say nonsense. "

 Go Melissa! wrote on June 29, 2006 10:14 pm:
" You've got more fans than you know...some of which are waiting for you to get back into the performance routine! HA! "

 Idspud wrote on June 29, 2006 10:29 pm:
" Sadly I see that the great state of Nebraska is still full of good non-judgemental Christians. I cannot imagine why people who have never even met Melissa could possibly say some of the things that they do about her. While you may not agree with what she does for a living, she has never hurt ANYONE and always treats everyone with the same respect that she deserves as well. Because she likes to get naked people quite readily attribute characteristics to her that couldn't be further from the truth. She really is a very nice girl, and I am know that she pays way more taxes than almost anyone who may have posted an answer to this article. You don't have to approve what she does for a living. In fact most of you are only guessing at what that might be. I know for a fact that if you treat her well she will reciprocate tenfold. I would be proud to have her for a daughter or a sister. "

 jessica wrote on June 29, 2006 11:48 pm:
" Melissa - I don't wear a white t-shirt without a bra in public because people would be able to SEE MY BOOBS! Of course, it would cover more than just my nipples, though... I suppose if the only talent you have is what you are doing, then I can't really say much about it. A girl's gotta get by, right? "

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