DETROIT -- The Roseville artist who has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for painting a mural on the side of an office building will be staying at home as the case moves forward in the appeal process, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

Edward Stross, a 43 year old Roseville man, was sentenced by District Judge Marco Santia to serve 30 days in jail, do two years' probation and pay a $500 fine for violating a city sign ordinance.  Stross painted a variation on Michelangelo's "Creation of Man " that shows Eve with a bare breast.

“Judge Maceroni’s ruling clearly recognizes that justice would not be served if Edward was required to go jail while waiting for the appeal,” said ACLU Executive Director Kary Moss.

In the decision, Judge Peter J. Maceroni’s wrote, “Requiring defendant to serve the 30 days in jail while his appeal remains at issue could result in an injustice to defendant as we would, in all likelihood, complete that term of imprisonment before his issues on appeal were addressed.  Defendant would be denied the opportunity for a meaningful appeal, which would be an affront to the proper administration of justice.”

“I’m delighted that I’m going to be able keep painting. When I learned about the judge’s decision, I was painting a picture in tribute to the Pope,” said Strosser.  “He was my hero because he uncensored the works in the Sistine Chapel that had been covered by previous popes.”

To see a close-up of the mural, go to: www.aclumich.org/sites/default/files/file/attachments/gonzocloseup.jpg