Suspect accused of smashing Trump Hollywood star claims it was 'rightful and just' act

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The man accused of smashing President Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a pickax called it a "rightful and just act" after a court hearing Wednesday.

Austin Clay, 24, pleaded not guilty to a felony vandalism charge in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

He is the second man charged recently with taking a pickaxe to Trump's sidewalk star: the same tool was used in a similar incident in October 2016 and was left behind at the scene.

Police and prosecutors in Los Angeles say Clay used a pickax to destroy Trump's star on Hollywood Boulevard on July 25. According to the police, Clay fled the scene after destroying the star but later turned himself in to Beverly Hills police.

He was arrested and booked on felony vandalism charges. His bail was set at $20,000.

Clay spoke to reporters outside the courthouse Wednesday. He says he wanted to "bring about positive political change" and doesn't believe prosecutors should have brought charges against him.

Clay said he thinks the "repercussions of it were only positive."

Clay is due back in court on Sept. 21. If convicted on one count of vandalism, he faces up to three years in jail.

The sidewalk star, unveiled in 2007 in recognition of Trump's role on the reality-TV show "The Apprentice," has since been repaired at an estimated expense of about $2,500.

James Otis was charged with destroying the Trump star with a pickax and a sledgehammer in October 2016. An heir to the Otis Elevator fortune, Otis pleaded no contest in February 2017 and was sentenced to three years probation plus community service. He also had to pay attorneys' fees and $4,400 to replace the star he damaged.

Otis told reporters after his arrest that he was "proud and felt very good" about destroying Trump’s star. "However, now I realize I was wrong, that I shouldn’t have done it,” according to CBS Los Angeles.