NC State student arrested for creating Barrel Monster

I know the act of what he did was illegal, but if you think about it, what better way to alert people to the fact that there is a need to slow down in the work zone.

I mean how many people would slow down just to get a look at something like what he makes if it was right at the work zone?

So I say they should hire him to do it full time or at least let him work off his punishment making them. I don't know about other places but here in Oklahoma there are so many people that just blast through work zones, it is amazing more workers aren't killed. My brother is one of these workers and he has 2 handicapped children to take care of, I don't need people just zooming through his office.

Give the guy a break and let him do this as a means for helping out people like my brother.

I agree; but someone needs to ask the property owners before doing it. Or be upfront with the owners and pay for the property used

The main problem I see is the DUMB ASS ( Sorry DA ) is still pressing charges despite the 'Victim" the construction company and owner of the barrels refuse to press charges; come on this isn't an abuse crime....

Explain to me how when you don't have a "victim" how can the DUMB ASS ( OOOps sorry again DA ) contibue the case against him????

Just to play Devil's Advocate for the Dumb Ass. (Is this the route to dadaism? ) The only arrow in his quiver may be to press charges. The artist did alter somebody else's property without permission. Possibly the barrels are actually publicly owned making the DA obligated to press charges. If the quality of this artwork sucked, legally why would it now be a criminal act subject to a fine? This seems like a classic case for the judge in sentencing to be lenient but to maintain anti-graffiti statute integrity, charges must be held.

I agree with you. Make him pay for the barrels and a fine. Then hire him to make more art work for the work zones.

Here in St. Louis most slow down when there AREN"T any barrels. Thats because your in shock. I don't think theres a major road that isn't lined with these things. You get so used to seeing them that you stat to ignore them.

At least with these art work things the work zones may be noticed again.

Actually if I was an attorney, and was trying to defend my client, the artist student, I'd be pivoting first from the apparent fact, that my client did not actually steal anything.

I may do some research into if any of his tax payments had been applied towards the purchase of these barrels.

Then I would make inquiries into whether or not anyone was harmed.

Artists can get a little hard headed.

I am a North Carolinian and over the years have become more and more proud of our two main Engineering Schools, NC State, and A&T.

It actually cheers me up to know that there are some artists running around from the Engineering School making a name for the State, as something more than a dull backwater of conformists.

Ah yes, the non sequitur argument of innocence. "...my client did not actually steal anything." The charge is vandalism, not theft.

But I do love his work. The "kid" should proudly proclaim "guilty as charged." With the punishment being producing a few more barrel monsters or some other public artistic venture. He certainly has the talent.

i think we could use more barrel monsters. adds a little humor to hiway construction sites and gets more attention to get drivers to slow down.