Earlier this week rolling out reported the strange case of a father who barbecued the family dog in front of his family. If you thought the story could not get any weirder you would be wrong. Jonathan Lowe, a journalist for KPHO in Phoenix, was covering the story when he had a need to relieve himself. Instead of going to a bathroom, he dropped his pants and defecated on the front lawn of the family of Patrick Zane Thompson.
A neighbor across the street saw Lowe relieving himself and called police. When officers approached Lowe and asked him why he relieved himself on the lawn, he said he had to go. He was promptly placed in handcuffs and arrested. But Lowe must be given some credit. Despite his arrest by police, he was still able to file his story by deadline.
Lowe faces charges of public urination or defecation, which is a class two misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 or six months in jail.
Local news stations in the area reported on the incident but not Lowe’s home station. According to an unnamed source, the arrest was discussed in an editorial meeting and was met with shock and laughter. Lowe was considered a good reporter and his behavior was definitely unexpected. His station, CBS-affiliate KPHO, fired him upon learning of his arrest. According to his bio on the station’s website, he was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has worked as an assignment editor, anchor and reporter for TV stations in Greensboro, North Carolina; and Saginaw, Michigan. His bio states that “He brings a bit of southern hospitality and charm to the desert southwest.” Apparently, he also brings a little something extra that his employer determined they could do without.
