THE D.A. OF THE DAY - FRIDAY, MAY 20TH

WEEDING OUT THE IDIOTS:


 

A South Carolina man was arrested for truth in advertising -- after placing a Craigslist note saying, "I sell weed," then meeting a cop to do just that.

James Kinley III concocted a pretty detailed ad, inclucing a picture of himself and a photo of the leafy green product, along with an offer to sell the goods for a mere $200. An investigator texted the number Kinley provided to see if he could get in on the deal, and the 27-year-old agreed, setting up a time and place to make the exchange.

Kinley showed up carrying the promised half-ounce of pot and was rewarded with some shiny silver -- in the form of handcuffs. Cops have not revealed what charges he faces.

PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER TWO:

An Arizona TV reporter who was looking for a scoop made the news himself after taking a poop -- right on the lawn of a family whose strange behavior he was covering.

Jonathan Lowe was on assignment at the home of a man who'd just thrown his family dog into an outdoor meat smoker, saying God had ordered him to make a sacrifice. The subject matter may have upset the reporter's stomach, since he interrupted his stakeout to walk over to a quiet corner of the yard and fertilize the greenery in a very unconventional way.

Lowe, whose official bio says he "brings a bit of Southern hospitality and charm to the desert Southwest," could face six months in jail for the act, which was phoned into 911 by a shocked neighbor.

We're guessing he'll be the butt of a lot of jokes around the newsroom.

THIEF ASKS, "WHY ME"?

A Florida woman was arrested for stealing a pair of earrings from a jewelry store and had the nerve to ask cops why they were picking on her.

26-year-old Prolancia Turner was caught hiding a $12.50 pair of earrings in the waistband of her pants. She was placed under arrest and started crying. Not because she messed up and got caught, but because the cops were picking on her -- or at least that's what she thought. She told police, "Everyone steals from this store. Why are you picking on me?"

It turns out that is not what officers want to hear. She's been charged with retail theft.