WINSLOW – A man who decorated his property with toilets and Confederate flags has sued the township for alleged violations of his civil rights.

Michael Speece contends he was the victim of malicious prosecution after Winslow Township officials brought charges over the eye-catching items outside his home.

The displays in question might seem more fit for a loo than the Louvre.

According to his lawsuit, Speece placed three toilets — one white, one red, one blue — outside his home on West Factory Road. The toilets held “a display of plastic flowers, as well as an artistic array of doll parts," the suit says.

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Speece also flew Confederate flags "as part of the use and enjoyment of his property,” according to the suit.

The bathroom installation is just a small part of an eclectic exhibit outside Speece's home.

In one area of the front yard, a small statue of Uncle Sam stands near the plastic skeleton of a large bird — possibly a vulture.

Nearby, a small boy is riding a carousel pony. Like Uncle Sam, the child's holding a Confederate flag.

A massive parrot peeks over the backyard fence, looking toward several disembodied heads on stakes. A Trump 2020 flag flaps above the fence; a traffic light hangs in the yard behind it.

One consistent theme is provided by signs that warn visitors to keep their distance.

"No animals, no vehicles, no people, no excuses," reads the one beneath the bird's skeleton.

The lawsuit asserts Speece's display represents their creator’s “artistic expression and freedom of speech and display of his patriotism."

Two township officials apparently saw it differently in early 2017.

Woodrow Cuffee, a code enforcement officer, and Lee Kavafes, an animal control officer, inspected the property without probable cause or a search warrant, the suit alleges.

It says Speece was charged twice — on Feb. 15 and March 15, 2017 — with failure to remove “trash/debris.”

Speece then faced prosecution in Winslow Municipal Court, "including penalties and fines and requiring (him) to remove the items on his private property,” the lawsuit says.

But his conviction was overturned on appeal by Superior Court Judge Sherri Schweitzer in Camden, who indicated the township’s actions violated Speece’s civil rights, according to the suit.

The lawsuit contends the township violated civil rights that include Speece’s freedom of speech and the "free and unhampered use of one’s private property.”

It also says Speece was charged with violating an ordinance intended to address “overgrown grass” and other problems relating to a property’s “health safety and sanitary conditions.”

As a result, the suit contends township officials lacked probable cause to charge Speece with any violation.

An attorney for the township, Eric Riso of Stratford, declined to comment on the suit, which seeks unspecified damages and expenses.

Speece's lawyer, David Castelllani of Northfield, could not be reached for comment. He filed the suit Dec. 28 in state Superior Court in Camden.

Jim Walsh: @jimwalsh_cp; 856-486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com

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