Teen graffiti artist dies after Tasering by Miami Beach cops

[kentauros]

47. I have to ask, as you seem to know the law.

I'm not versed in the law, so I'm just guessing here.

Is it still vandalism when the property owner has abandoned the property and all structures on it? I would guess in this case, the police were following the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law. The property owner doesn't appear to care for their property any longer, or those structures wouldn't have been abandoned. Also, it seems like the city could step in with eminent domain and take care of (demolish) buildings no one wants any longer.

If they were occupied, I could agree that they have been vandalized. But how can vandalism apply to something that is no longer wanted by the property owner?

I'd say that this young man was being responsible in how he applied his art, in that he only used abandoned, and no longer wanted, structures as his "canvas."