Order In the Court ‘Cause Here Comes the Clown
A Best of Bubbaworld, Blast From the Past…
Original publish date: 8/09/2005
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On June 17, 2005 Steve Brown, 37, of Sapulpa, OK, who reportedly drives around town in a camouflaged van topped with a yellow light bar, received a speeding ticket for driving 51 mph in a 35-mph zone and was cited into Sapulpa Municipal Court. He was scheduled to appear before Municipal Judge Stefanie Lorbiecki on June 30th.
On the day his traffic case was to be heard, Brown showed up at the Sapulpa Municipal Court in unique attire to say the least. Brown was wearing a police uniform shirt, a toy badge, a ‘Keystone Kops’ helmet and a curly electric-blue wig. He had a white face, blackened eyes, red mouth and a big red ball over his nose.
Several attempts were made to determine what kind of statement Brown was attempting to make but he only sat mute and nodded. When Sapulpa Police Sgt. Mike McDonald was asked if he knew the suspect’s identity, he replied, ‘Bozo.’
Several officers including McDonald warned Brown not to enter the courtroom in his clown attire, particularly wearing the curly blue wig which would be considered headwear which is prohibited in the courtroom. Brown refused to alter his appearance and when his name was called he stepped into the courtroom and into the view of Judge Lorbiecki who told Brown, ‘You were warned not to come into court‘. The Judge ordered Brown’s arrest for contempt of court.
During booking at the Municipal Jail, Brown once again stood mute to the questioning of several officers and was jailed minus his wig, police shirt and badge. In addition to contempt of court, Brown was also charged with obstructing an officer after he refused to identify himself or give officers any other information as he was booked into jail. Mr. Brown didn’t stay jailed for long as he was reportedly sent for a mental evaluation.
Asked to comment upon Mr. Brown and his behavior, Sgt. McDonald replied, ‘From what I understand, he has a problem with authority.‘
Sgt. McDonald also indicated that he was surprised how many people are afraid of clowns and had given Brown a wide berth. McDonald said several people had told him, ‘Clowns scare me to death‘.
