Man Leaves Georgia Jail Naked, Gets Arrested Again

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) – Sometimes, it’s better to look like a jailbird than sport a birthday suit.

Police say Bill Merit, 49, left the Chatham County jail and began walking by the side of the road, naked. Witnesses called police, who arrested him and jailed him again on a charge of public indecency.

A police report says Merit told an officer that he didn’t take the clothes jailers gave him because he thought they were stolen. The report says the man “appeared rational, except for being naked.”

Jail records show Merit had been booked two days eariler on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. Chatham County Sheriff Lt. Thomas Tillman said Wednesday Merit remains in jail awaiting arraignment. He says he does not know if Merit has a lawyer.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)