Mt. Vernon Register-News

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October 26, 2012

Local woman arrested for allegedly burning campaign signs

By NICK MARIANO CNHI

MT. VERNON — A Mt. Vernon woman with a prior criminal record was arrested shortly after midnight Thursday for allegedly burning or defacing several campaign signs in the city belonging to two circuit court candidates, Jefferson County State’s Attorney Douglas R. Hoffman said.

Hoffman said he expected to file formal charges of criminal damage to property against Marty Lynn Brumley, 41, of the 1100 block of Oakland Avenue. He added charges would be filed either late Thursday or today.

Brumley was in custody at the Jefferson County Justice Center as of Thursday afternoon in lieu of $1,000 bond for the Class A misdemeanor. Hoffman said arson charges are not applicable because the damage caused by the fires has to be valued at $150 or greater.  

Hoffman said police allegedly observed Brumley “acting suspiciously” near a large Nicole Villani sign after they conducted a bar check at a nearby restaurant on Salem Road. Villani is running for circuit court judge in Jefferson County.

Upon inspection, police discovered the sign had been defaced with a marker, Hoffman said.

Brumley had left the area on foot south on Salem Road. As police moved in that direction, they came across two other Villani campaign signs that were on fire at the time, Hoffman said. Police were able to extinguish those fires.

Police then discovered another campaign sign, belonging to Jefferson County Circuit Clerk John Scott, that “had burned completely,” the  state’s attorney said.

The Scott sign was located in the yard of a residence at the intersection of Salem Road and Oakland Avenue, near Brumley’s residence, Hoffman said. He also said that upon her arrest, she was allegedly in possession of a lighter. She was also given a ticket for open alcohol.

According to Hoffman, Brumley has a prior misdemeanor conviction in Jefferson County for resisting arrest, and a conviction for possession of cannabis in another county.

“When police mentioned Villani to Brumley, she became very agitated,” Hoffman said.

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.