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Woman Declared Not Guilty In French Fry Trial

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 10, 2008

Updated: 07/10/2008 05:56 pm

CLEARWATER – Jean Merola, the 76-year-old woman who drew national attention after she was accused of unnecessarily blocking a McDonald's restaurant, has been found not guilty.

County Judge Patrick Caddell essentially found that Merola did not willfully block the drive-through at the McDonald's at 1934 Hercules Ave. on Jan. 17.

Initially, she was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. Later, the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office dropped the charge and replaced it with the less-serious charge of obstructing a public way. It was that charge of which Caddell found her not guilty.

On that day in January, Clearwater Police Officer Matthew Parco repeatedly instructed her to move her Lincoln Town Car while she waited for an order of french fries without salt.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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