
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 28, 1993                   TAG: 9310280215
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: COLUMBUS, OHIO                                LENGTH: Short

CONVICTION OVERTURNED IN FLAG-BURNING CASE

A divided state Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the conviction of a woman who burned an American flag to protest the Persian Gulf War.

In a 4-3 decision, the court said the judge should have told jurors that flag burning is a protected form of expression and in itself didn't prove Cheryl Lessin was guilty of inciting violence.

Lessin was arrested on Aug. 10, 1990, at a demonstration in downtown Cleveland to protest President Bush's decision to send troops to the Persian Gulf.

She was convicted in October 1990 and sentenced to one year in prison.

- Associated Press

by CNB