NEW YORK (AP) - A judge has dismissed charges against a retired firefighter arrested after he scrawled messages of adoration to Madonna on the sidewalk outside her New York City apartment building.
After Robert Linhart’s lawyer argued that the case had lingered beyond the 182-day speedy-trial deadline, the judge threw out the case on Tuesday.
The then-59-year-old Linhart was arrested in September 2010.
Authorities said he made signs that said “Crazy for You” and “Material Girl” outside Madonna’s apartment building near Central Park.
His attorney had argued that it was no crime to adore Madonna, the singer of pop hits including “Like a Virgin” who performed at this year’s Super Bowl halftime game.
The New York Fire Department says Linhart retired in 1998.
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