Post by Salem6 on Apr 11, 2007 12:09:05 GMT
Fans of The Doors have asked Florida to pardon frontman Jim Morrison nearly 40 years after he was convicted of indecent exposure in the state.
Morrison (third from left) died before his appeal
Morrison was charged after a concert in Miami's Coconut Grove in 1969 where he allegedly exposed himself and simulated a sex act.
Now two fans have sent a letter seeking a pardon for the Florida native so he can be remembered for his music.
Governor Charlie Crist said he was "certainly willing to review" the case.
Morrison died of a heart attack in Paris in 1971 while his case was still on appeal. He was 27.
The singer denied the charges of indecent exposure, and several audience members at the concert said he had only simulated exposing himself.
Many fans believe the conviction put Morrison and his band in a downward spiral, with negative publicity leading promoters to cancel concerts.
'Trumped up'
The Doors hits include Light My Fire and Riders On The Storm
Dave Diamond from Ohio and Kerry Humpherys from Utah wrote to Governor Crist last month to suggest the pardon.
"It's not about Jim Morrison's image as the Lizard King or The Doors music. It's about a citizen of Florida who was convicted in a case where the law was not applied," said Mr Diamond.
"It was all trumped up and he shouldn't have this hanging over him," added Mr Humpherys.
Any pardon for Morrison would be decided by Mr Crist and members of Florida's cabinet.
The Miami Herald noted that both Morrison and Mr Crist attended Florida State University, where sports teams are nicknamed the Seminoles.
"He's a Nole? Well, given that fact, I'm certainly willing to review it," Crist was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Herald.
The newspaper said Crist then sang a few lines of Light My Fire.
Mr Diamond and Mr Humpherys noted in their letter that former New York Governor George Pataki had pardoned the late comedian Lenny Bruce on an obscenity conviction.
Morrison's father, a retired US Navy admiral, said he would support a pardon.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6543951.stm