posted 11/17/08 02:01 PM | updated 11/17/08 11:33 PM
Views: 2695 | Comments : 49 | Crime

Kerse tribute tagger gets nailed on Capitol Hill

By jseattle
Recommend this (+15 votes) ( report abuse ) ( add your comment )

SPD is using its fancy new blog to tout the collar of a 'prolific' tagger allegedly responsible for graffiti on "multiple buildings, including several car dealerships, and several businesses in the areas of 700 East Pike, 700 East Pine and 900 East Pike street."

Report sez the 20-year-old suspect was out to mark the recent death of Bay Area graffiti legend Kerse BTM and was caught in the act early Sunday morning. Hopefully they don't try to nail the kid for all the Kerse-work they find out there on the streets because this gentleman has company.

Will give SPD a call to see what else I can find out.

UPDATE: SPD confirmed that the suspected tagger is being charged with a felony level count of malicious mischief. From my understanding, if there was less than $1,500 damage, maximum sentence would be around 5 years. You can read more about the charge on the Avvo legal site. Also, no specific location of where he was apprehended.

Kerse tag on 10th Ave


 

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Good lord...
5 years for tagging?!
Comment by Uncle Vinny
11 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
Good Lord, indeed...
I know, it hardly seems like enough time. But until we can get the death penalty for tagging, it will have to do.
Comment by Mr. Cranky Pants
11 months ago
( +14 votes ) Recommend this
LOL
Sweet. I've seen his obnoxious tags around Capitol Hill. Hope he becomes someone's bitch in prison. Haha.
Comment by Kerse_was_a_Curse
11 months ago
( +6 votes ) Recommend this
rip
the person who tags KERSE just died can you please show some respect?
Comment by tmaleone
11 months ago
( +3 votes ) Recommend this
Finally...
So happy and not at all bothered if a few jerks have to be made examples of. I saw two tagging the place on the corner of Union and 10 ave E. and was about to call the cops when the cops drove by. Pretty sure they saw and didn't do anything so I gave up. The owners of this property have covered this up with brown paint every single time and it takes about 24 hours before it's covered again. Obviously a blank canvas.

Funny how people speculate why tagging is so popular again. Its the internet.
Comment by Yay
11 months ago
( +9 votes ) Recommend this
RE: Finally...
"so popular again"?

What do you mean, "again"? Silly, silly.
Comment by jseattle
11 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
OYE
Anyone know who's responsible for the OYE tag?
Comment by julie
11 months ago
( +4 votes ) Recommend this
Graffiti, a war that can't be won
5 years! For such a petty crime that can be painted over with a millimeter of house paint? Absolutely crazy. Unfortunately, as we have seen in major cities across the country that have dumped millions into anti-graffiti campaigns, graffiti is a war that can't be won. Even New York City is still covered with tags, and they have been fighting the battle for 30 years. Until you give the kids something better to do, there will always be some young knucklehead who wants to put up his name on your stuff. It's exciting for them, and they get recognition from it the same way one would get recognition from playing on a winning team. Listen to the kids, and try to understand why they're doing it instead of just putting them in jail for half a decade for expressing their angst. What kind of real criminal do you want to create by putting kids in the system for 5 years with other hard criminals. I bet vandals be doing a lot more than tagging their name on your property after they come out of a 5 year stint. They'll be trying to steal your property instead.
Comment by Jo Jo
11 months ago
( +3 votes ) Recommend this
RE: Graffiti, a war that can't be won
Kid is 20, btw. If he does end up facing the felony charge, no guarantee they'll go for max. Also, he's only been booked to investigate the charge so who knows where it goes next.
Comment by jseattle
11 months ago
( +10 votes ) Recommend this
Finally!
Hallelujah!! Finally, one of these selfish losers has been caught! Thanks and kudos to the person who reported this, and to the SPD who responded quickly.

I hope he gets what he deserves...a heavy fine, and some jail time. Maybe...just maybe...that will serve as a deterrent to others of his ilk, although I'm not holding my breath on that one.
Comment by calhoun
11 months ago
( +9 votes ) Recommend this
5 years hard time
I vote that he is sentenced to 5 years of community service - painting over grafitti. Then he can tag it again at night. It'll be a beautiful cycle.
Comment by k
11 months ago
( +5 votes ) Recommend this
BTM
Rest in peace K Korle.
Comment by XANAX ESCOBARS
11 months ago
( +8 votes ) Recommend this
and btw
KERSE has served his time in prison and I can assure you he was NEVER anyone's bitch. I know you think your comment is really clever there...but you actually come off like the bitch.
Comment by tmaleone
11 months ago
( +8 votes ) Recommend this
have some f-ing respect
I swear one of my hobbies is reading the comments morons leave on articles like this

"I hope he gets raped in prison" for changing the surface color of something. your right that sounds like a just means of punishment for taking a marker and drawing on something. I hope all you dumbs**ts that spend all your time reading these articles and getting your panties in such a tight wad that they reach your heads buried so far up you arses, find some more important issue to piss and moan about. there are far worse things going on under your smug little yuppie noses than graffiti. but you wouldn't do anything to prevent any sort of mishap or anything that really affected your community, as evident in Yay's response.

and for all you douche bags, pullin for the swift boot of justice to send this kid to prison for 5 years, I laugh in your face only to know that even with a free public defender that the worse this "scum of the earth, loser, dirtbag" will get is a hefty load of community service.

rest in peace KERSE BTM 3AK, you are missed and will not be forgotten. unlike most of the wind bags that are on here, you have made your mark and will live forever in the work youve put in, along with the hearts and minds of the millions you have touched. much respect and my condolences to your family and friends.

you "Adults" need to get your priorities straight....
Comment by blahblahblah
11 months ago
( --2 votes ) Recommend this
ART?
I thought tagging was ART? This sure wasn't. You should have called the police about it. I dont want to look at a bunch of tagging all over the place. It makes Cap hill look like as bad as the trsh that painted it.
Comment by dthquazi
11 months ago
( +4 votes ) Recommend this
Haha
Look at all the lame taggers posting on this thread. Losers. Hey, I'm glad I have his name, I'm going to find that fuker now and show him the respect he deserves for tagging my neighbors garage twice in the past few months. He couldn't just put one talentless tag up of that dumfuk vandal that croaked, he had to put up 6!?
Comment by itsnotartmorons
11 months ago
( +6 votes ) Recommend this
RE: Haha
r u serious?????????????
GOD FORGIVE U .........
ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO EXCUSE 4 IGNORANCE
Comment by KATHLEEN
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
tags
There were way more than six that I saw. I really dont have a problem if all the taggers want to get together and paint a mural for the guy in some alley or something. But just taggin the guys name(not even your own) all over the place is pretty lame.
Comment by dthquazi
11 months ago
( +10 votes ) Recommend this
King Kerse
Rest in power to the king KERSE BTM! Through graffiti, KERSE lives forever! For all of you who hate, buff, prosecute and snitch; I hope you will have to see this stuff whether you like it or not. All of us underground folks love it like you yuppies like your starbucks and pettiness. You people that write horrible stuff online about KING K are hurt ass people! He is the TRUE KING of Seattle,San Francisco, New York, LA,etc!! I'm not only speaking of graffiti, but all around, he is the BEST and the TRUEST. To all the master kings of graffiti, stay up, keep the good look, and prosper. We rule the world, see it and believe it!!! Buff all you want, that's your job. Talk that ish on the internet and you will get your negative Karma. It's two things in the world folks, it's negative and positive. We are all living our lives in the great positive! KING KUTS1 SFC BTM HBK KING KERSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by KUTS1!
11 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RE: King Kerse
Howl in heat, Kerse.

You should have chose the name "Shitbird". Woulda been more accurate.
Comment by Joe
3 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
killa kers
people are stupid. there is always gonna be shit like this. why make a big deal let it be. rest in power big k you will be remembered
Comment by nik nak patty wak
11 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
rip
you are clucks. big ups to king kerse. rip.
Comment by rip
11 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
Kerse Graffiti
I live on the hill and I loved seeing KERSE all over.
Who ever did that is amazing!
I've never seen bombing like that done all in one night.
Such good style too!
The flair was perfect!
Much Respect!
Comment by Jake Ricker
11 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
respect from korp
Kerse,WWL,IED,rerun,and ajar hav been my idol for graffiti, they inspired me to write since 6th grade. alot of respect for kerse.
Comment by Korp
10 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
Debate vs. Argument
I appreciate the extended debate about whether graffiti is property damage, art, or some of both. It's a good topic of conversation in a neighborhood that's filled with all kinds of artists, all sorts of graffiti, and all the business and property owners that have to deal with graffiti.

Since this is a touchy (I've had to paint over graffiti, it's a pain in the butt) and somewhat nuanced subject (what is art? when is graffiti art?), let's remember to approach it thoughtfully with due respect for all members of the conversation. We're not going to end graffiti/promote street art/serve justice/find a compromise by being rude.
Comment by Comrade Bunny
10 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
MY SON/ KERSE / MORGAN
MY son was a gifted writer, chess player, artist, and very loving person.
He was in Art school @ the age of 3, wrote the school newsletter unedited, called S.Pippin.....BB PLAYER..........in otherwords, a VERY GIFTED person.
Life took some changes, my son went thru a 13 yr divorce w/ me and learned survival skills.
PLS respect him , let him RIP and STOP commenting on his life in any negative way. Morgan would never do that to ANYONE....TRUST & BELIEVE.
K's MOM,K
Comment by KATHLEEN DRAKE
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
angel kerse's mom
can you please write as i am worried that you are alright you know my email and my phone is working.
j
Comment by jeanne
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
Good.
I live around Broadway and Pike, and Kerse must be tagged 50 times on my street alone. I wouldn't mind so much if the guy had actually put some effort into it and made it look decent, but it's just scribbled everywhere. I was genuinely pissed the morning I walked to work to find "Kerse" tagged everywhere from Cap Hill to Belltown, so I'm glad this asshole has been caught.
Comment by Eric
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
kerse
let him rip..........he's an ARTIST
Comment by james ishman
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
Right...
I appreciate art and "ARTISTS." What I don't appreciate is vandalism--especially when it looks like shit and is all over my fucking street and city.
Comment by Eric
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
HATERSSSS
PLAYA HATTIN!!!

RIP KERSE BTM 3A

LONG LIVE GRAFFITI
Comment by SCREW HATERS!!!
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
Okay...
Well if you're going to spray graffiti all over my neighborhood, can't you at least make it look good? I'd have no problem with that. If it's actually art, maybe you should spend some time on each piece instead of scribbling bullshit everywhere.
Comment by Eric
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
ART
IS THERE NOTHING BETTER 4 U TO FOCUS ON????????????????
MOST OF THESE ARTISTS R YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by KATHLEEN DRAKE
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RE: ART
No, Kathleen, they're not my children, and they're not artists. They're just the rotten, stinking fruit of your failed loins. You ought to have snuffed it before you bred.
Comment by Joe
3 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
THE HILL
THERE R TOO MANY BOYS RESPONSIBLE 4 ALL THE " KERSE " WRITINGS AROUND
SEATTLE, SF, NYC....................KERSE, MORGAN, IS A LEGEND.
DO NOT PUT ALL THE CREDIT ON ONE PERSON.
MORGAN SAVED 4 LIVES W/ HIS ORGANS................
U HAVE TO BE DECLARED BRAIN DEAD TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR...........
150 PEOPLE PER YR BETWEEN ALASKA,WA,MONTANA.........R ACTUALLY
CORRECT DONORS,REGARDLESS OF YR DMV ..........
LIFE CENTER NW.......................
MY SON SAVED A 76 YR OLD RETIRED DR IN CA .......................
STOP THE BS AND LET MORGAN RIP
THE BOYS R RELEASING WHAT GOD INTENDED.
WOULD U LIKE TO SEE ICE WATER POURED INTO YOUR SONS EARS
TO SEE IF HE RESPONDS????????????????????
STOP WHINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO BITCH ABOUT BESIDES THE SMALL THINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GET A BRUSH OR A CAN AND FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by KATHLEEN DRAKE
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RE: THE HILL
Kathleen;

If it was a question of being brain dead, I don't know why they didn't harvest the organs of the waste of skin that was your son years ago.
Comment by Joe
3 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
u
I IMAGINE U TO BE SOMEONE JUST AS UGLY ON THE INSIDE AS U R ON THE
OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!
GET A LIFE
Comment by MBTM
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
calhoun
ABOVE 4 CALHOUN AND OTHER IGNORANT PERSONS WISHING TO SPEND TAX $$$$$$$$$
ON THE WRITERS LOOKING TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES...............
WOULD U RATHER THEY BE DOING DRIVE BYS IN YR NEIGHBORHOODS?????????
Comment by MBMT
9 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RE: calhoun
We'd rather they weren't breaking the law in any way, okay? Why does it have to be a choice? They're saints because they're merely destroying property instead of gang banging? Fuck you and fuck them! If they want to scribble on walls because they're moronic failures, then let them scribble on walls they or their parents own, and no others.
Comment by Joe
3 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
...
So let's get this straight. We should be okay with the graffiti all over our neighborhood because (a) it's "what God intended" and (b) it's better than being shot at...? What the hell is wrong with you people?

"Artists" can express themselves pretty easily without destroying other people's private property. Buy a damn canvas, tag it up all you want, and try to sell it if it's actually art. Or just do it on your own damn house. If you love Kerse and your art so much, why isn't every square inch of your house or apartment covered with Kerse tags?

How can you not understand that not everyone sees your tagging as "art"? I see the tagging all over my apartment building and car as vandalism. Maybe you wouldn't mind if someone tagged up your house or car, but what if I smashed out your windows and said "FUCK U, I am an ARTIST." Or better yet, what if I smashed out people’s windows on a regular basis, then I died, and then a bunch of people up and down the west coast started smashing out HUNDREDS of windows all over major cities because they’re “ARTISTS” too? Would you defend those people? I really hope not… and if not, then maybe you can understand where we’re coming from.
Comment by Eric
8 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
WRITING
I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY WRITERS WHO GO AROUND BREAKING WINDOWS.............
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GANGS AND WRITERS
Comment by KATHLEEN
8 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
...
Like I said, both "writing" and breaking windows are vandalism to me. I'm sorry that your son died, but that doesn't justify these assholes destroying A LOT of private property.
Comment by Eric
8 months ago
( +1 votes ) Recommend this
RE: ...
I , WE , DO THANK U FOR ACKNOWLEDGING, MY SON'S DEATH, .
MAYBE OPINIONS COULD BE EXPRESSED UNDER SOMETHING OTHER THEN THE LOSS OF A DEEPLY LOVED PERSON THAT PASSED AWY, SAVED 4 LIVES W/ HIS ORGANS.........
PLS SHOW RESPECT TO MY ONLY CHILD, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, MY SON,
MORGAN OTONICAR
HIS MOM, BEST FRIEND AND SOULMATE
Comment by KATHLEEN
8 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
kerse btm
pls............
willeveryone stop boosting the #'s on this blog..........
it is so minor, MINOR ON THE SCOPE OF ALL ISSUES PERTAINING TO BOTH WRITING AND TO HIS DEATH,
LOOK AT HOW THIS BLOG IS # 1
MORGAN/ KERSE WOULD NOT APPRECIATE THE MEMORY, IN REGARDS TO THE ARRESTS OR BAD PR TO THE PERSONS SHOWING RESPECT TO HIS MEMORY.
EVERYONE IS SAFE, AS IN TO THE TRIBUTE HELD.
DO NOT FORGET HIM..........
U KNOW WHAT I MEAN, BE WHAT U ALWAYS ASPIRED TO BE.........
GODS GIFT TO ALL OF US.
MBMT
Comment by KATHLEEN
8 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RIP
Rest in peace to BIG KERSE.
all you insecure ignorant idiots crying should climb out your bubble and let your tears drop about clear cutting Bornio or the poor Ukrainian women who get sold to tycoon pimps who drug them up and whore them out,not artists who choose to do thier art on things that do not belong to them.I am not saying graffiti hurts noone but think about it! do you write dailey emails trying to "pay it forward" so to speak or to change this lame world we live in?
sheltered children never grow up,they grow into sheltered grown ups.
Rest in PEACE Morgan.
stay strong Kat

smiles and tears all at once
Comment by ROAR
6 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RE: RIP
Rest in heat, Morgan. You were a useless git, you chose that life, and now you're an unmourned nothing.

Kat: get some lube. It's jailhouse rock time! Quit yer grinnin' and drop yer linen. There's some big mamba snakes gonna bust out some dickadoo boogie on yer crack.
Comment by Joe
3 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
KING KERSE
It's funny how people talk shit on somebody who's past and has been doin the damn thang for over a decade....R.I.P KING KERSE.... you work as well as you will be deeply missed....as for you haters... pick up some paint and shut the f***k up!
Comment by Always Juicy
4 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
All of you to...
show some fucking respect, people who write graffiti normal people. I doubt you'd want anyone pissing on your grave with shit talking even if this is just some stupid blog.
Comment by masterburlington24
3 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
RE: All of you to...
They forfeited their right to my respect when they chose a lifestyle, tagging, that heaps contempt upon everyone and anyone who has to live in the neighborhoods they desecrate. May they all die in severe pain. I would gladly take a big, stinky dump on any of their graves. Where are they buried? That is how I express myself.
Comment by Joe
3 months ago
( +1 votes ) Recommend this
rip
rip king kerse.
Comment by rip kerse
2 months ago
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
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