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Defaced Painting Featuring Mother Teresa Among Pro-Choicers To Remain Hanging At Trumbull Library

TRUMBULL, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - Police in Trumbull, Conn., have closed the case into who defaced a painting that hangs in the town library after being unable to pinpoint exactly who did it.

In mid-March, some witnesses reported seeing a woman defacing a painting that depicts Mother Teresa standing alongside pro-choice advocates. The face of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger was blackened, apparently with makeup or a marker.

The painting will now continue to hang at the town library, WCBS 880's Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.

Defaced Painting Featuring Mother Teresa Among Pro-Choicers To Remain Hanging At Trumbull Library

Dr. Richard Resnick, the owner of the painting, said while he is disappointed no one will be brought to justice, the painting will not be cleaned and will continue to be on display as-is.

"I believe that the alteration makes the painting more powerful than it might be without it," he said.

Resnick said it underlines freedom of speech and that artist Robin Morris, although saddened by the defacing, agrees with the principle.

In early March, the controversial painting was temporarily taken down. According to reports, there were concerns the use of Mother Teresa's image could be a potential copyright infringement.

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