State will not prosecute Blacker for painting Capitol doors pink
Hartford ― State prosecutors in Hartford have opted to not prosecute Connecticut Port Authority critic Kevin Blacker on charges he painted pink stripes on the doors of the state Capitol in protest earlier this year.
Blacker appeared in Hartford Superior Court on Friday with proof of a $406 payment he made to cover the cost to repair what police said was vandalism to “antique and distinctive wood and glass doors.”
In exchange, the court entered a “nolle” or nolle prosequi, on charges of second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace. The charges will be automatically be dismissed after 13 months unless it is reopened.
Blacker, a former Green Party congressional candidate, admitted painting the doors in an act of civil disobedience to draw attention to what he claims is corruption in the Connecticut Port Authority.
The pink paint is a reference to the pink house owned by Susette Kelo, who was at the center of a eminent domain case in New London that led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Kelo v. New London.
He still faces a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge in New London Superior Court for a similar act in 2020 when he painted signs pink on State Pier Road in New London.
Blacker said he has declined to accept a nolle in the long-pending New London case and wants a trial.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.