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Ybor Crusader Caped Again

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By TOM BRENNAN

tbrennan@tampatrib.com

Published: February 17, 2009

TAMPA - Holy jurisprudence. Ybor City's Batman is getting his mask back.

Hillsborough County Judge John Conrad on Monday dismissed two misdemeanor charges Tampa police lodged against Walsh Ian Nichols when he refused orders to take off his Batman mask.

The judge also ordered police to return the custom-made cowl they seized as evidence.

"I feel a lot better," Nichols said afterward. "I am still worried about wearing it down there without being blackballed."

His attorney took the victory tongue-in-cheek.

"The streets of Tampa are safe again," said Kevin Hayslett. "Ybor is a better place to have Batman in it."

Officers arrested Nichols in October as he was eating sushi on a curb outside an Ybor City club. A Tampa police sergeant had seen a Batman figure drive by on a motorcycle near East 7th Avenue and North 15th Street and ordered another officer to track the figure down. Nichols said the sergeant had told him to unmask himself weeks earlier.

Tampa authorities charged Nichols with wearing a mask in public. The charges were based on a law written in 1951 and designed to combat the Ku Klux Klan, part of the section of Florida Statutes dealing with criminal anarchy and treason.

Nichols also was charged with driving a motorcycle without the proper license.

Hayslett filed a motion to dismiss the charges. Conrad granted the request today after prosecutors said they wouldn't oppose it.

Nichols is known for wearing Batman apparel, complete with cape and cowl. He is sometimes paid by clubs to help draw customers.

"It is fun," he said today of his fashion choice.

He said the Caped Crusader will be prowling the Ybor City streets this weekend.

"I am looking forward to celebrating my legal victory," he said. "With my mask on."

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698.

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