From the Cincinnati Enquirer
Mason, Ohio - The way Steven Cole dressed in court Thursday was a far cry from what he was wearing when he was arrested Tuesday. Amid a swarm of microphones and cameras, Cole showed up in Mason Municipal Court in a tailored black suit, crisp white dress shirt and conservative striped tie.
He was arrested in a public park wearing a striped, multi-colored bikini, a blond wig and diamond-like belly-button stud.
Cole gripped his wife's hand as they entered the small courtroom already filled with people. She patted his right thigh reassuringly when they took a seat and waited for his turn before the magistrate. She didn't know until Tuesday evening that her husband of 25 years - volunteer firefighter, father of three, service manager for a farm implement company - sometimes dressed like a woman, Cole's lawyer said. That was when Cole's bizarre appearance - and witness accounts of him possibly fondling himself - prompted a parent at Heritage Oak Park to call police.
At the hearing, Cole's lawyer said his client is not a sex fiend, was not going after children and was not touching himself sexually at the park.
"This guy is 46 years old. He has no history. There are a lot of people in this country that are cross-dressers that are not a danger to anybody in society," attorney Charlie Rittgers told reporters after the hearing.
Cole's unusual attire prompted City Prosecutor Robert Peeler to ask that Cole be evaluated by a mental health professional. "Under these circumstances, something's not right here," Peeler said.
Magistrate Eddie Lawson agreed. Lawson made an evaluation a requirement for Cole, who otherwise will remain free without posting bail until his May 24 trial. Rittgers said Cole is seeking counseling on his own.
Cole pleaded not guilty on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, disorderly conduct, public indecency and having an open flask - a 40-ounce bottle of Budweiser. Police said Cole's blood-alcohol level was 0.17, more than twice the legal limit, when they headed him off trying to leave the park in his blue Ford F-150 pickup. Officers said they found a black gym bag in the truck that contained more blond wigs and bikinis, calf-length silver go-go boots and other women's garments.
Cole's arrest was the subject of a 30-minute discussion Thursday on the popular and often raunchy Bob & Tom radio show. It also was mentioned on CNN.
"He's deeply embarrassed," Rittgers said.
Man in bikini in park gets Bob&Tom mention
Moderators: The People's DJ, David Paleg
- Dr. Whiplash
- Member
- Posts: 694
- Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:35 am
- Zak Tyler
- Lord of Boobies
- Posts: 1616
- Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2001 3:47 pm
- Location: Jackson, MS
- Contact:
Re: Man in bikini in park gets Bob&Tom mention
and well he should be..... come on, calf length silver go-go boots with a multi-colored bikini... *sigh* everyone knows if you're wearing anything "multi-colored" you should ALWAYS wear the knee-high BLACK go-go boots....Dr. Whiplash wrote:
"He's deeply embarrassed," Rittgers said.
what the hell was he thinking????
what!?!
I'm not an idiot, but I play one on the radio.
- fearpeddler
- Member
- Posts: 1662
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:27 pm