Prosecutors in Thousand Oaks, California have brought a novel charge in a bizarre case. Charles Hersel, 39, has been charged with misdemeanor child annoyance after allegedly paying a teenager $31 to spit in his face. The teenager arranged the deal through MySpace. [Update: Hersel has been acquitted in the case after only an hour of deliberation by the jury]
The man reportedly wanted the teen to slap him and spit in his face while yelling profanities. Usually the charge of child annoyance involves street encounters. Here the charge is being used where the teen actively participates in an Internet discussion.
For the full story, click here and here.
