MILWAUKEE (VINnews) – A father and son were sentenced after vandalizing a controversial mural in Milwaukee that depicted a Star of David alongside a swastika, a case that drew attention amid broader tensions tied to the war in Gaza.
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Peter Mehler, 74, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property and was fined $50. His son, Zechariah Mehler, 43, who previously pleaded guilty to the same charge, received a withheld sentence and was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service. A judge also ordered the pair to pay a total of $1,000 in restitution to the property owner.
Authorities said the incident occurred in September 2024 in the city’s Riverwest neighborhood, near the intersection of Holton and Locust streets. Investigators said the two men arrived with tools including an axe, sledgehammer and other hammers, and were captured on surveillance video repeatedly striking the mural. At one point, Zechariah Mehler was seen gesturing toward the camera.
Police said Zechariah Mehler returned the following day with a pry bar to further damage what remained of the artwork.
(photo credit: screenshot)
The building’s owner said the mural was intended to draw attention to the war in Gaza and estimated the damage at more than $12,000.
The defendants argued the mural was offensive and described their actions as a response to what they viewed as hate speech, while acknowledging in court that their conduct violated the law.
During sentencing, the judge noted the broader context surrounding the case but emphasized that the proceedings were focused solely on the criminal charges. The property owner was at one point warned by the court after making remarks unrelated to the case.
No injuries were reported.
They did nothing wrong.
Everybody is pro free speech when it comes to expressing antisemitic views in the most vicious ways. You think they’d have same reaction to racist murals in a black neighborhood?
And once again, we don’t hear a peep from any of our so called leaders, neither secular nor religious. I hate saying it. but we need Jewish Al Sharptons, and the like.
A piece of garbage like George Floyd is accidentally killed, and the whole country is in turmoil. Kill one of us, compare the Star of David to the swastika, mug an old Jewish man or lady. Toss a four year old around like a sack of potatoes and all we hear from our leaders, is crickets
Good job
Pails into such insignificance compared to burning 4 Ambulances, yet those savages were set free by a corrupt starmer leftist judge
why isn’t a swastika against the law???????????
They just should’ve worn masks before they defaced it…and should’ve destroyed it completely
should have gotten a medal. Painting was very antisemitic.
What about all the statues that were defaced and torn down by antifa? Where are their court dates??
Sounds like a nazi judge
Is it illegal to fight Nazi in USA???