Va. man acquitted of flashing passers-by from home

[April 20, 2010]  FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) -- A Virginia jury has acquitted a man charged with indecent exposure after he was seen naked inside his home by passers-by.

Erick Williamson was arrested in October on the misdemeanor charge. A woman walking her 7-year-old son to school said she saw Williamson, completely naked, standing in an exterior doorway. Prosecutors said Williamson intended to make a display of himself and made no effort to cover up.

Williamson testified Wednesday that he did not mean to be seen and that he believes he has the right to be naked in his own home.

A judge convicted Williamson in December in General District Court. Williamson appealed his case to the Fairfax County Circuit Court, where a seven-person jury heard the case. The jury deliberated less than 20 minutes before acquitting Williamson.

[Associated Press]

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