Accused graffiti painter pleads not guilty
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Torres

Jose Torres, the only person arrested and charged with spraypainting graffiti on several locations in Delphi, appeared before Carroll Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Smith Thursday night.

Smith read the details of Counts 1 through 16. Torres said he understood the charges against him.

Torres told the judge he was not working and not going to school since the graffiti painting incident in mid-January. He said he lived with his parents and he was being home schooled. Torres said he owned no property or vehicles. When asked if he could afford legal counsel, Torres said he could not. Smith entered a plea of not guilty for Torres and appointed Lafayette attorney Steven Knecht to represent him as a public defender.

Torres' trial is scheduled for March 26 at 3 p.m.