ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 Two people arrested for chalking a crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub say they are still waiting for a charging decision months after their arrests, raising concerns about delays in the prosecution process.<\/p>\n
The arrests followed protests after the Florida Department of Transportation painted over a rainbow-colored crosswalk near the Pulse memorial. <\/p>\n
Advocates later used chalk to redraw the crosswalk, which led to several arrests.<\/p>\n
James Houchins, 27, was arrested Nov. 23 on a felony charge accusing him of chalking the sidewalk outside the memorial. He said there has been no movement in his case since the arrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you chalk a rainbow or anything they don\u2019t like, then in this situation, you are arrested,\u201d Houchins said. <\/p>\n
He added that he does not believe similar enforcement is used elsewhere for sidewalk chalking.<\/p>\n
Mary Jane East, 25, was also arrested Aug. 31 on a felony charge. She was taken into custody by the Florida Highway Patrol and accused of chalking the crosswalk. <\/p>\n
East said the pending case has affected her daily life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t go on my social media anymore because my name has now been wrapped into this,\u201d East said.<\/p>\n
At the time of the arrests, troopers spent weeks monitoring the area, including a nearby parking lot, watching for anyone attempting to chalk the sidewalk.<\/p>\n
Attorney Jordan Holmes, who represents both Houchins and East, said the cases are now past the former rule of a 90-day timeframe without a charging decision from the state attorney\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Holmes said she has sent multiple emails requesting an update. <\/p>\n
In a message provided to News 6, the state attorney\u2019s office acknowledged the delay, writing, \u201cI understand your clients\u2019 frustrations in the long pendency in their cases,\u201d and adding that a decision could take \u201ca couple of more weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holmes said the uncertainty can have serious consequences. Both Houchins and East said they want a charging decision made soon, regardless of the outcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was dedicated as part of the memorial, and the state just showed up and painted over it like it meant nothing,\u201d Houchins said.<\/p>\n
News 6 has also contacted the state attorney\u2019s office for comment on the two cases and will provide updates once a response is received.<\/p>\n
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