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Infamous Smooching Graffiti Artist Arrested For Tagging The East Village
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 30, 2014
Modified Oct 12, 2017
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 30, 2014
Modified Oct 12, 2017
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The graffiti artist whose handcuffed kiss with his girlfriend was memorialized in a Larry Clarkeian photo last summer was arrested for tagging a building in the East Village early Tuesday morning.
An NYPD spokeswoman said that 28-year-old Russell Murphy and four others were arrested after police responded to a 911 call of people painting with rollers on the roof of 201 Avenue A.
"Officers observed the word 'Smells' painted in letters six to seven feet tall, and around 10 feet wide," the spokeswoman said. "Officers also observed the phrase 'C4!' painted, which was approximately eight to ten feet tall and two to four feet wide."
"Smells" is there, but "C4!" is missing from EV Grieve's shot of the wall.
Murphy was charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, possession of a graffiti instrument, and criminal trespass.
Robin Drysdale, 34; Carmen Lasala-Ayres, 26; Akili Baez, 21; and Louis Santa, 20, were all given similar charges. Santa was also charged with two counts of unlawful possession of marijuana.
Murphy's CASH4 tag can be seen all over the city, sometimes next to Smells.
Tagged
alphabet city
east village
graffiti is a crime
russell murphy
original
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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