Dumb outrage of the day: Man arrested for being naked in own home
posted at 9:16 pm on October 21, 2009 by Allahpundit
Yeah, yeah, we’re all kings of our castles, but try standing in front of a plate-glass window in your home and admiring the angle of your dangle why people walk by outside and see what happens. This is a fun story because it lets strong believers in property rights exercise their outrage muscle, but what the Foxies don’t tell you is that the facts are actually in dispute.
The woman who reported to police that a man in a Springfield home exposed himself to her and her son has a different story than what Eric Williamson has told to local media.
The woman told police it was 8:40 a.m. when she was walking her son to school along a path between houses. She said they first spotted Williamson naked in an open door in the car port of his home.
She also told police that Williamson then walked across the house to a large window, facing the way she was walking.
More:
A Fairfax County Police spokesman said officers arrested Williamson for indecent exposure because they believe he wanted to be seen naked by the public.
On Wednesday, investigators told FOX 5 they have reason to believe there may have been another incident in which someone saw Williamson naked in front of his window. They’re asking anyone who may have seen Williamson in the nude through his windows to come forward, even if it was at a different time.
Here’s the question: If he knows he can be seen by passersby (i.e. if he was seen by someone before and was made aware of it) and continues to make no effort to either cover up or close the drapes, is that enough to infer that he wants to be seen?
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
If I was a dinner guest, I guess I’d be bringing along a hefty supply of Clorox wipes.
bannedbyhuffpo on October 21, 2009 at 9:18 PM
I’m pretty sure that guy was in Molly Hatchet.
Proud Rino on October 21, 2009 at 9:19 PM
I thought it was Allah Pundit, revealed at last….
Red State State of Mind on October 21, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Ewww…
lovingmyUSA on October 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
thought it was Allah Pundit, revealed at last….
Red State State of Mind on October 21, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Now, that genuinely made me chuckle. Gracias.
cynccook on October 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
To be fair, if I’m a peeping tom and I snuck up on that I might call the cops too!!!
jdkchem on October 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Also, AP: “angle of your dangle????” Really?
cynccook on October 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
To me that is irrelevant if it is his own house. Heck they have a hotel in NY that is encouraging guest to do this
A Hotel With an Exhibitionist Streak
so doing it in your private home should not matter.
JeffinSac on October 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
News Flash…………….MSNBC is reporting that he is the Transparency Czar at the White House…………go figure…damn Commies, they hate clothes………….
Cinday Blackburn on October 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
No, it’s reasonable to assume that passers-by should refrain from cutting through his yard.
Basing a charge on “assuming” anything is a big mistake. Going to be hard to prove that he wanted to be seen naked.
uncivilized on October 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
A little OT, but more signs of the Apacolypse…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6881557.ece
lukespapa on October 21, 2009 at 9:23 PM
. Oh, really? If it wasn’t a public walkway, she was tresspassing on someones property so she has no call for her complaint, and someone might have a tresspassing complaint against her.
Anyway where is the law that says you can’t be nude or whatever you want to be in the privacy of your home?
docdave on October 21, 2009 at 9:24 PM
LOL
cmsinaz on October 21, 2009 at 9:25 PM
AP does have a way with words…
cmsinaz on October 21, 2009 at 9:26 PM
My guess: This woman is divorced and isn’t getting any…;)
jerrytbg on October 21, 2009 at 9:27 PM
So AllahP walks around in the kitchen naked, huh?
Never saw it comin.
Admit you’re posting this from jail right now and stop this charade.
Good Lt on October 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I would complain if I saw him naked as well.
Johnny Depp on the other hand…
nyx on October 21, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Some of this does depend on the heat of the meat.
exception on October 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Sounds like the time in college when my friend and I were driving around and saw a couple doing it with the blinds open. We went and rounded up more friends, bought some drinks, and watched the show.
txag92 on October 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
exception on October 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM
And that will do it for me. Check, please!
cynccook on October 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
I love the picture of the guy. As far as I’m concerned, if Jesus wants to walk around his house naked, we should just let him. Wouldn’t want to incur any wrath of God.
JDwinston on October 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Damn you love to make trouble Allahpundit. :)
You can walk through many a European urban street and see people in the windows of their abodes in all sorts of undress not directed at those outside, they just don’t bother with sealing up their dwelling like Fort Knox. People passing by are kind enough not to gawk at what they see all the time anyway.
But yes, if someone goes out of their way to knowingly present themselves nude they have gone beyond the expectation of privacy and are engaging other people in a form of communication. At that point, they can then expect to be charged with the local laws regarding indecent exposure.
ray on October 21, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Yeah, getting into the zone about whether it’s a problem if he stands around in his front yard naked too…but Instapundit does ask a relevant question…if it was female, would it be more likely to be an issue?
AUINSC on October 21, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Trespassing.
The end.
Dave Rywall on October 21, 2009 at 9:34 PM
clothes are so….bourgeoise….
Red State State of Mind on October 21, 2009 at 9:35 PM
On the other hand, we once had a neighbor kid who would pose in the front window while the women were walking their kids to the bus stop in front of his house. To be standing still directly in the window for a prolonged period at that time of the morning once was an accident, twice was a coincidence and after that was a pattern. He told the police some strange story about it really being some mask he had hanging in the window, but I pretty much trusted the women’s ability to distinguish between a mask and the male anatomy.
There’s a difference between accidents and plans. There aren’t enough facts to go on in this story, I’m just saying that neither story is implausible.
obladioblada on October 21, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I work in the hotel indystry and you would be amazed at what people with an exhibitionist streak do when they are out of town, in a strange city where they are unknown…I could write a book!
Red State State of Mind on October 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Not in a Manhattan apartment, but most other places. But not a legitimate concern of the state. Especially if he remained master of his domain.
exception on October 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
If he’s in his house, does it matter if he wanted to be seen naked?
changer1701 on October 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
This guy must belong to a teacher’s union. Or he’s Canadian.
Bishop on October 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I work in the hotel indystry and you would be amazed at what people with an exhibitionist streak do when they are out of town, in a strange city where they are unknown…I could write a book!
Red State State of Mind on October 21, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Ahem, I have no idea what you are talking about. ;)
txag92 on October 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Daddy?
Good Lt on October 21, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Allah has GREAT hair!
HornetSting on October 21, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Allah has GREAT hair!
HornetSting on October 21, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Barney Frank would approve.
txag92 on October 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Maybe he was just waiting for the Google Maps guy to drive by.
Ronnie on October 21, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Isn’t it likely this guys a pervert who exposed himself to people? And are we really saying that because it’s his property he should be allowed to flash children? Is this the Conservative argument?
When I was in middle school (a hellish year in Catholic school) the nuns called the cops on this guy who leaned out his window when we were coming to school in the morning, naked and masturbating. His penis wasn’t actually exposed but it was clear what he was doing. By the standards of some here we should have left him alone and waited until he ejaculated on some passerby to call a cop.
Behavior like this is always escalating. Exposing himself to children and women is part of a fantasy he’s constructing of them secretly wanting to see him. Nipping htis sort of nonsense in the bud, so to speak, seems like good old fashioned law and order Republicansim to me. But I forgot, you guys hate we sobriety loving anti-flashing Republicans because we’re “RINOS” right? You guys are OK with some hippy exposing himself to mother and her child because it proves some point about Liberty.
Where in the Constitution does it give people the right to sexually harass passerby’s from their houses people again?
Rob Taylor on October 21, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Hey, Matthew McConaughey was arrested by Austin police for dancing naked and playing bongo drums in his living room (reportedly while stoned) in 1999.
obladioblada on October 21, 2009 at 9:43 PM
With the cool mornings lately, it does not work to stand outside naked to impress the ladies, shrinkage factor you know. Best to do it front of glass door inside a nice warm house.
1sttofight on October 21, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Busted a gut on that one; what a great excuse for the judge!
ray on October 21, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Does it matter? A person should have a reasonable expectation of privacy in his/her own home. If a guy wants to make his morning java in the buff, it’s no one’s business but his and his roommates’. Likewise, people who trespass on other people’s property have no business being scandalized by what they see there either.
NoLeftTurn on October 21, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Now that’s a good idea.
exception on October 21, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Reminds me of a True Story (TM):
Worked my way through college delivering pizza. Had a (female) coworker who delivered to some guy who came out to get his pizza without a shred of clothes one. Stood up on the porch and counted out the money.
She was standing down in the yard at this time.
I’ll leave it at that.
cs89 on October 21, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I don’t know whether to call the cops on him or clean the floor with his head.
LibTired on October 21, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Hmmmmn…what is it with you Americans and all that HAIR!!!! The 60s are over, a*ssh*les!!!
Fortunata on October 21, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Since we don’t know what Allah looks like … I say we nominate this dude’s mugshot to be our image of Allah forever forward.
First thing I thought of when I saw the pic – “That’s Allah!”
HondaV65 on October 21, 2009 at 9:48 PM
I watched the interview with Fox it he stated it was at 5:30am not 8:40am.
McBaine on October 21, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Eh, we have a neighbor who stands naked in his bathroom, no curtains, and the neighbors who’ve had the misfortune to see him would be thrilled if he looked like this guy.
4shoes on October 21, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Well, let’s say I pound as hard as I can on the top of your skull about 20 times with a hatchet. Is that enough to infer that I want to kill you?
GarandFan on October 21, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Nothing wrong with a good looking man like this gentleman displaying his wares.
If that was Heidi Klum and some dad walked by do you think he’d call the po-po?
No, of course not.
If hating Obamacare is racist than so is hating this hot looking Yeti.
Paging Jesse Sharpton and Al Jackson.
Anders on October 21, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Another Fairfax man was arrested when neighbors saw him in his home vigorously picking his nose! Felony charges expected to be filed.
IntheNet on October 21, 2009 at 9:50 PM
So if she looked once, it was accidental observation on her part. She looked at second time through another window, seems like an obsession.
CBP on October 21, 2009 at 9:51 PM
They arrested “The Dude”.
Mike Honcho on October 21, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Wasn’t he in that movie Revenge of the Nerds or a wrestler on WWF?
PS> think the character was “The Ogre”
Dire Straits on October 21, 2009 at 9:54 PM
OK I have some experience with this. For years I had an apartment where my main view was across a small car park to a hotel. Some of the guests were essentially renters and one of them used to sit at his desk naked stuffing envelopes. This was not a problem… what was a problem was that he started masturbating…endlessly. Then one night I met the hotel owner and brought this up. He asked me to call the police. I did. I stressed it was not an emergency… they arrived about half an hour later and I told them what was going on. They asked if I could point out the guy’s room and I said he was probably still at it. I raised my shades and they were astounded to see the guy wanking away looking right at us. They could not believe that he did not flinch or move away. They asked me if I wanted to press charges and I said no… just tell him to be more private. The funniest part was watching him answer the door with hard on. Sickos abound. Private is one thing. Putting it out there for all and sundry is another.
lexhamfox on October 21, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I’m sitting here naked right now typing. I wonder if I left the door open, I’m feeling a draft.
Jeff from WI on October 21, 2009 at 9:57 PM
It all boils down to intention. If you know you can be seen and walk around naked, I’d say that’s a problem, because you’re showing yourself intentionally. This guy sounds innocent. I don’t think he even clued in. Sounds like he needs better drapes though.
apacalyps on October 21, 2009 at 10:00 PM
The question should be, was he visible from a public area? Now if he was only visible because the two trespassed into his yard then there is no crime. But if they could have seen him from a side walk or street then he is guilty. But if it was truely unintentional regardless of whether he was guilty or not, they should only give him a warning.
SGinNC on October 21, 2009 at 10:00 PM
That’s not Allah- that’s definitely Earl (Jason Lee). ( arrghhh- I don’t know how to link the photo)
BTW, the interview this morning said that the ‘sighting’ occurred at 5:30 a.m.
LASue on October 21, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Doesn’t this happen all the time at ‘gay pride’ parades? Funny that no one makes a fuss about that especially considering that they are doing it in public areas.
docdave on October 21, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I think the police have a good case. The woman says it happened at 8:30; the naked guy at 5:30. The woman’s story is more believable: No one would be walking their kid to school at 5:30. If it is at 8:30, the naked guy would be able to see outside and notice people walking on the path.
I live in Fairfax County, which has lots of paved neighborhood walking trails between houses. These are on private property, but they are open to the public.
Gabe on October 21, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Why can’t Helen Thomas let the breeze blow freely…?
Seven Percent Solution on October 21, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Gee Dave,
You’re on the side of an alleged sexual extrovert…
Will wonders never cease.
jerrytbg on October 21, 2009 at 10:09 PM
And I bet this lady was able to give police an accurate, pinpoint, down to the most minut detail of the deadly dongle dangling before her!
pilamaye on October 21, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Sharp objects in kitchen might
Harsh my mellow
iceman1960 on October 21, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Pffft. European women have more hair under their pits than this guy has on his head.
Bishop on October 21, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Like everything, property rights and exposure have a tipping point.
Those who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw orgies.
Danzo on October 21, 2009 at 10:09 PM
I dont believe this was a purposeful exposure. I think some whiny liberal walked by on somebody elses private property and was surprised that a naked guy was making coffee.
ObamatheMessiah on October 21, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Did the police report mention anything about surgical gloves, a disco ball, and a gallon jar of Crisco…?
Seven Percent Solution on October 21, 2009 at 10:12 PM
lol!!!
jerrytbg on October 21, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Naw, I am just critical of all this false modesty especially as related to naked men. If this was a naked women, men would be selling tickets, not reporting it to the police.
docdave on October 21, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Allah, you’re really not as bald as you say you are. Keep cookin’, good lookin’!
rinohumper on October 21, 2009 at 10:17 PM
That could have been MTV filming an episode of The Real World.
Dire Straits on October 21, 2009 at 10:17 PM
docdave on October 21, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Agreed…however that was for Dave DRywall…
jerrytbg on October 21, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Heh…some truly amusing comments in this one!
On a more serious note, I have to agree with those discussing trespassing. The woman was crossing HIS property without license or invitation, therefore anything she or her child would see, I’d say, would be on HER head. She shouldn’t be in someone else’ yard. You are running late? Tough, take the sidewalk like you are supposed to. Being naked in one’s own home is not an unlawful act. And there is no way really to prove that he actually wanted to be seen, from what I can see of the story so far. So…no probable motive? Then she’s illegally trespassing and should be charged with it.
Highlar on October 21, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Used to skinny-dip all summer in upstate NY. Our motto?
If they’re nasty enough to look, I’m nasty enough to let ‘em.
TexasDan on October 21, 2009 at 10:24 PM
It puts the lotion ON!
faol on October 21, 2009 at 10:25 PM
It’s that “Gorebull Warming”. Pass “Crap and Tax” so this poor guy will cool off and put some clothes on.
tbear44 on October 21, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Excuse me? Some people do object to the ‘displays’ of those parades.
AnotherOpinion on October 21, 2009 at 10:26 PM
People who look into other people’s houses are scum.
Sometimes, if it’s dark outside and bright light on the inside of the house, you can’t help seeing inside. But if it’s light outside you actually have to try to see into another person’s house.
If this incident occurred during daylight hours, and the homeowner was more than 5 feet inside the window, the person complaining is scum.
jaime on October 21, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Yeah, but his rug really tied his living room together.
The Ugly American on October 21, 2009 at 10:27 PM
TexasDan on October 21, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Heck, President John Quincy Adams used to go skinny dipping in the Potomac while in office.
cs89 on October 21, 2009 at 10:28 PM
But does any of these homos get arrested for public exposure?
docdave on October 21, 2009 at 10:28 PM
He wasn’t nude, he was test fitting Emperor Barry’s invisible clothes.
jimmy2shoes on October 21, 2009 at 10:30 PM
That’s true, he and Helen Thomas went skinny dipping together.
Jeff from WI on October 21, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Oh, and reminds me of the three ministers who go skinny dipping. While getting out of the water, local women come down the path. Two hold their clothing over their personal areas, the third covers his face with his clothes while leaving the rest of his body exposed.
When questioned, his response was “It was my face they would recognize….”
cs89 on October 21, 2009 at 10:31 PM
It’s actually not a “your home is your castle” thing if, say, you live on a busy thoroughfare and people can see you. I read about a similar case a few years ago—guy walked around naked in his apartment, but people in the complex could see him because he kept the shades up. He lost his case.
This guy, however, is starting to sound like a perv.
Meryl Yourish on October 21, 2009 at 10:32 PM
LOL Thread winner so far.
beachgirlusa on October 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM
That’s true, he and Helen Thomas went skinny dipping together.
Jeff from WI on October 21, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Thanks alot. I just threw up a little in my mouth.
faol on October 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Who packs for moving…naked?
Jeff from WI on October 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM
lolol
Jeff from WI on October 21, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I thought it was the guy on the couch from “Half-Baked”
iceman1960 on October 21, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Just his way of “Going Rogue”.
Yoop on October 21, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Exactly right. They were trespassing illegally on his property when they saw what offended them.
Epic fail. They have no case.
Del Dolemonte on October 21, 2009 at 10:35 PM
That is probably not true. In my neighborhood in Fairfax County, there are many asphalt biking and walking trails that are open to the public. They go between certain houses and connect streets. The land under them is owned by the two houses but the owners have granted an easement for the public to walk on these trails. If that is the case here, he can’t legally claim it was “private property” that the woman and child were trespassing.
Gabe on October 21, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Not only didn’t the guy realize he was naked, he didn’t realize it wasn’t 1972
Jeff from WI on October 21, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Don’t insult the people who subsidize your government health care by paying for your nation’s defense. Your welcome.
jimmy2shoes on October 21, 2009 at 10:36 PM
People really oughta look up “easements”.
Chris_Balsz on October 21, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Also “usufructs”.
Chris_Balsz on October 21, 2009 at 10:53 PM
When I saw this reported, it reminded me of the woman who called the cops claiming the man next door was walking around naked.
When the cop showed up, she took him into the bathroom, the cop looked out the window and said, “I don’t see a thing”.
The woman then told him,
“Well, you have to stand here on the edge of the tub,
and put one foot up here on the toilet tank…..”
mrt721 on October 21, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Didn’t a network pay a $250k fine for showing a glimpse of a 40 year old tit? What about that cute teen in the mall wearing a see thru halter and no bra? What is it about nudity alone that gets everyone in America in such a tizzy?
Remnants of Puritanism. Time to break out the ole National Geographics and, er, learn more about tropical rain forests.
GnuBreed on October 21, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »