Woman denies destroying Warhol pieces
29-year-old disputes allegation she damaged $300K of art on first date
A Dallas woman accused of drunkenly destroying at least $300,000 worth of sculptures and original paintings — including two Andy Warhol works — at the River Oaks home of a Houston lawyer is challenging that attorney’s claims.
Lindy Lou Layman, 29, appeared in court Tuesday after a charge of criminal mischief was filed December 23 by well-known Houston trial attorney Anthony Buzbee.
“We certainly disagree with Mr. Buzbee’s rendition of the facts when he spoke to the media, and we disagree with what was said in probable cause court,” said Houston defense attorney Justin Keiter, as he left the courtroom with Layman.
Asked what the real story was, Keiter deferred: “I’ll save that for the courtroom.”
Police allege that Layman threw two abstract sculptures and destroyed three original paintings at Buzbee’s mansion.
Prosecutors have said Layman was on a first date with Buzbee, the high-profile attorney who successfully defended former Gov. Rick Perry in an abuse-of-power case, when she became intoxicated and refused to leave. She then poured liquid on the paintings and threw the sculptures, according to court records.
“Our side has the rest of the story,” Keiter said after Layman appeared before state District Judge Kelli Johnson, who set typical bond conditions.
Layman is free on $30,000 bail and is prohibited from using drugs
or alcohol or contacting Buzbee.
“We have no interest in having contact with Mr. Buzbee,” Keiter said. “That’s fine with us.”
After the brief court hearing, Assistant Harris County District Attorney Kelsey Leiper declined to comment on the case.
Outside of the courtroom, Keiter said Layman had been maligned by new coverage of the incident.
“She’s weathering the storm of the intense media scrutiny that she has endured,” Keiter said. “She’s a great person.”
Layman, who appeared with her father, did not speak in court or after the hearing.
Criminal mischief charges are similar to those in theft or embezzlement, and the severity of the charge is determined by the value of the objects in question. In this case, Layman is accused of the maximum, a first-degree felony, because damages are alleged to exceed $300,000 If convicted, she could face life in prison.