Morrison pardon sought in Florida

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is being asked to pardon the late Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, 38 years after Morrison was convicted of exposing himself during a Miami concert.

Dave Diamond, a cable TV producer from Dayton, Ohio, wrote to Crist asking for the pardon. Diamond said the goal is to remember the Melbourne, Fla., native as an artist, not a rock ‘n’ roll bad boy with a rap sheet.

Morrison was charged days after a concert at Dinner Key Auditorium in Coconut Grove in 1969. He allegedly exposed himself and simulated a sex act, which he denied doing. He was acquitted on a felony charge for lewd and lascivious behavior, but was convicted of indecent exposure and profanity. His case was on appeal when he died in 1971.

Crist said he is willing to review the case but cannot pardon someone by himself. He needs two of the three other members of the Florida Cabinet, which acts as the state clemency board.

In his letter to Crist, Diamond noted that the former New York Gov. George Pataki pardoned the late comedian Lenny Bruce on an obscenity conviction.