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U.S. District Judge James Brady was hearing testimony Monday about whether Sarah Henderson should be granted a preliminary injunction, barring the city of Denham Springs and police from requiring her to remove the display.
Henderson reportedly put up the roof "message" in November because she believed a neighbor stole her dog. She says police threatened her with fines and with arrest because of the lights. She and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana sued the city and police.
Lawyers for Denham Springs and police told the Associated Press that officials didn't threaten Childs. They also argue the display isn't protected speech under the constitution.
However, in November, WWL First News spoke to the officer who made initial contact with Childs, who confirmed that he told the homeowner she faced possible fines and "legal action."
Corporal Shawn Perkins told us in November that Childs told him she put the display as a direct message to her neighbors.
"It was a message to an ongoing dispute she was having with other homeowners on that same street," Perkins told WWL First News.
Perkins says he informed Henderson that the display was in violation of obscenity laws and that it must come down, or else.
"She agreed that it wasn't worth the possible hassle of fines and legal action," Perkins said.
