So, while you were investigating that drum, did you keep other craft away? Or could any Tom, Dick or Haji have driven his boat right up to take a look?
This thing was attached to the support of a bridge. Step one is to cordon off the area to protect the public. That means closing the bridge. That means everyone knows. That means it is s big story, especially when similar things are found all over town.
I can even accept the overreaction, but not charging the marketers after the fact (with a felony no less)... If some forgetful person left his suitcase in a subway terminal, would it makes sense to charge him if the bomb squad was called out?
The difference is intent. This viral marketing outfit had a tremendous success by making their silly little cartoon front page news across the civilized world. Was that their intent?
That will be for a jury to decide. If they are shown to have intended to provoke this response, they are in big, big trouble. As well they should be.
Fine, but after they found the first one, they should have just said, "they're not bombs."
Secondly, I still think the mayor & co. are all out to get these guys because they were made to look like fools. Hopefully, Turner will pay for their lawyers.
Conversely, if intent cannot be proven (and the burden of proof is on the state), then they deserve to walk away scot free.