Model Kathleen Neill cleared of public lewdness charges over posing nude for Zach Hyman at the MET

November 24, 3:57 PMLegal News ExaminerWilliam Pfeifer, Jr.

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Charges of public lewdness and related crimes have been dismissed against nude model Kathleen Neill. Neill, 26, who is also known as "K.C." Neill, was arrested on August 26 while posing nude for photographer Zach Hyman at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). Our story on the incident causing her arrest can be found here.

Photographer Zach Hyman is best known for photographing nude models in public places. Neill's arrest occurred when she posed naked for Hyman at the MET. Although they waited for security to leave the room before Neill stripped off her clothes, a security guard returned before they had completed the photo shoot. An edited version of the nude photos of Kathleen Neill can be seen here. Some of Hyman's unedited photos of public nudity appear on his website.

Although Neill and Hyman argued to the guard that there was nothing wrong with posing nude in a room full of nude statues and paintings, the guard arrested Neill on charges of public lewdness. However, this week the Manhattan District Attorney's office decided to dismiss the charges.

While the DA's office merely stated that they were unsure they could prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Neill's defense lawyer Thomas J. Hillgardner indicated that the DA's office did not want to expose a legal loophole that would allow public nudity. He also pointed out that the children who were supposedly endangered by Neill's nudity were looking at nude statues just before they saw her, and that not all public nudity can be considered lewd.

For more info, see:

Case against naked museum of art woman dropped

Crime Waves: 'Perchance They Looked at a Boob'

Model Kathleen Neill nude photo shoot in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art results in arrest