10-21-2010, 09:01 PM
the guy admits being a klansman. but his sheet was in the wash.
NEAR SIKESTON, MO (KFVS) - At the request of sheriff Rick Walter, Scott County homeowner Rick Hoskins removed a Halloween display in front of his home Wednesday that's the subject of much controversy in the Sikeston area.
The display, which featured a Ku Klux Klan figure alongside an effigy of a black man hanging from a noose, could be seen by drivers on Interstate 55.
Walter said his office had received several complaints about the display, so he contacted the office of prosecuting attorney Paul Boyd to see if it was within the sheriff's department's rights to remove it due to the problems it could cause.
Boyd encouraged Walter to discuss the matter with Hoskins and to ask Hoskins to take it down. Hoskins complied, but indicated he would contact his attorney with the intent of putting the decorations back up.
"There's been a bunch of people that's stopped by since I put them up," said Hoskins. "Said they want to shake my hand. They said they're glad to see a little white pride is still left in this country."
![[Image: 2mquqfo.gif]](http://i44.tinypic.com/2mquqfo.gif)
Hoskins also flies a Confederate flag in his front yard, and says he has for years.
"They're my Halloween decorations," Hoskins said. "I think they speak for themselves."
As for neighbors and others in the county, most found the decorations offensive and inappropriate.
"I thought we were past that," said a woman from Sikeston. "I thought we were all friends here."
"I understand it's freedom of speech," said another woman. "But he needs to get over it."
NEAR SIKESTON, MO (KFVS) - At the request of sheriff Rick Walter, Scott County homeowner Rick Hoskins removed a Halloween display in front of his home Wednesday that's the subject of much controversy in the Sikeston area.
The display, which featured a Ku Klux Klan figure alongside an effigy of a black man hanging from a noose, could be seen by drivers on Interstate 55.
Walter said his office had received several complaints about the display, so he contacted the office of prosecuting attorney Paul Boyd to see if it was within the sheriff's department's rights to remove it due to the problems it could cause.
Boyd encouraged Walter to discuss the matter with Hoskins and to ask Hoskins to take it down. Hoskins complied, but indicated he would contact his attorney with the intent of putting the decorations back up.
"There's been a bunch of people that's stopped by since I put them up," said Hoskins. "Said they want to shake my hand. They said they're glad to see a little white pride is still left in this country."
Hoskins also flies a Confederate flag in his front yard, and says he has for years.
"They're my Halloween decorations," Hoskins said. "I think they speak for themselves."
As for neighbors and others in the county, most found the decorations offensive and inappropriate.
"I thought we were past that," said a woman from Sikeston. "I thought we were all friends here."
"I understand it's freedom of speech," said another woman. "But he needs to get over it."