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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Jim Morrison was performing with the band in Miami on March 1, 1969
- Accused of shouting obscenities at crowd and then exposing himself
- Sentenced to 6 months in prison but died in 1971 with his appeal pending
- Outgoing Florida Governor Charlie Crist considering clemency request
Jim Morrison had been performing with the band at a typically raucous concert at Miami's Key Auditorium on March 1, 1969 when the incident took place. Reportedly drunk and slurring obscenities at the crowd, he was accused of unzipping his pants and simulating a sex act, a charge he denied.
Despite being acquitted of lascivious behavior and drunkenness, Morrison was convicted of indecent exposure and open profanity and sentenced to six months in jail. He was still appealing the verdict in 1971 when he died in Paris at the age of 27.
Four decades on and the outgoing Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, has said he may consider an official let-off for the legendary hell-raiser.
"It's something that I haven't given a lot of thought to, but it's something I'm willing to look into in the time I have left," Crist told U.S. Congressional newspaper The Hill. "Anything is possible. Stay tuned."
Doors fans have long appealed for an official pardon for Morrison, petitioning previous Florida governors without success. Many argue that the trial was a sham and that there was no conclusive evidence supporting the exposure charge against Morrison.
Crist was first approached about the issue of clemency in 2007. According to The Hill, he said he would consider it, acknowledging "there was some doubt about how solid the case was."
But with Crist set to leave office in January after losing his bid for the Senate in the recent Midterm elections, time is running out for Morrison's supporters as the request must be submitted by December 9.
Under state law a pardon must have the consent of the governor and at least two other members of the Florida Board of Executive Clemency.
The Doors formed in Los Angeles in 1965 and comprised of Morrison on lead vocals, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore.
Ride the snake....Ride the snake..the snake is long..seven miles.
Here's to Mr. Crist for his consideration.
Jim was only adding to his performance of "The Celebration of the Lizard"...it was all exhaltation and presentation . Give the dead guy a break.
Do something right Florida , you're our most fucked up state.
Still the ultimate rock star, with all the good and bad that comes with that label... mostly the good. Why not pardon him? The music's over. Jim the hellraiser was never as interesting as Jim the performer (or dare I say it - Jim the artist?)
ReplyDeleteas a FL resident we are totally fucked up and who cares if he exposed himself i mean seriously wasn't like he was hurting anyone seems to me it would have been awesome to see
ReplyDeleteI adore Jim and was desperately in love with him when I was 12. I had my bedroom walls papered in his image. I listened exclusively to the Doors. I even broke my arm once because I was daydreaming about him instead of paying attention to what I was doing.
ReplyDeleteIn todays world, I doubt he would get in any trouble for letting his penis come out and say hello to the audience. I for one would enjoy it.
Thanks for the postt
ReplyDelete