No Charges For Chikin Graffiti Artist

Manny Castro, who was arrested earlier this month for spray-painting the wall of a California Chick-Fil-A franchise, will not face charges.

A West Hollywood artist who allegedly painted the words "Tastes like hate" on the side of a Chick-fil-A restaurant because of the company president's stand against gay marraige won't be criminally charged by the L.A. County district attorney's office. Prosecutors announced Wednesday they were declining to press charges after Torrance police submitted a case. "The suspect has acknowledged his wrongdoing and offered to make restitution. Finally, the record does not establish the suspect was motivated by religious hatred," the D.A.'s office said in its letter rejecting prosecution. The cost to paint over the graffiti is about $700. The case could still be reviewed for prosecution by the Torrance city attorney's office.