Vandalizing Two Banksy Murals in Utah Could Land a Guy in Prison for 15 Years

There is a warrant out for the guy believed to have vandalized two Banksy murals in Utah back on New Year's Eve.

Image via InSapphoWeTrust on Flickr

People really need to learn that vandalism is bad, but vandalizing a Banksy mural is much worse. Of course, we don't mean morally, but with the artist's works fetching millions at auction, you can bet that the owner is more likely to track you down and press charges. One man in Utah may learn that lesson the hard way after being identified as a suspect in the defacing of two Banksy pieces back on New Year's Eve.

The vandalism happened in Park City around the release of Banksy's documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. A "white male wearing a baseball cap" was captured on CCTV breaking the protective shields and splashing brown paint over one of the murals. According to the Wall Street Journal, the man was identified as David William Noll, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest after he didn't show for a court appearance. Noll has been charged with a second-degree felony and could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000, if convicted. 

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Jim Tozer, the owner of the building that holds the defaced mural (a praying boy with pink wings, above) told the Wall Street Journal that he doesn't consider Noll's attack to be art: "It could only be described as wanton destruction of a small piece of Park City’s heritage driven by jealous rage." 

[via Artnet]

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