Protester Of "Bewitched" Statue Case Dismissed

A local history buff who was arrested after he protested the unveiling of a statue of sitcom witch in this historic city was cleared of the charges.

But Richard Sorell, 65, of Peabody called the ruling "bittersweet."

He hoped to prove that police violated his First Amendment rights when they arrested him during his June protest at the statue of "Bewitched" star Elizabeth Montgomery. But Salem District Court Judge Stephen Albany told him free speech wasn't at issue in the case.

Sorell claimed his free speech rights were violated because Salem police forced him across the street, while those who approved of the statue could stand near it. Full Story