Wash. Barista Acquitted In Scanty Attire Trial

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - A Yakima, Wash., jury has acquitted a barista accused of baring too much but jurors decided the coffee shop's owner violated the city's indecent exposure ordinance by approving the scanty outfit.

Dream Girls owner Cheryl Clark faces a maximum 90 days in jail and $1,000 fine. She told the Yakima Herald-Republic after Friday's verdict that she plans to appeal.

Both Clark and barista Alyssa Hernandez had been charged with violating the ordinance. It was written by the City Council in 2009 in reaction to complaints that coffee stands with scantily clad baristas were popping up all over town.

Hernandez said her attire did not violate the ordinance.

Defense lawyers contended police failed to gather any hard evidence, neither taking photographs nor confiscating any garments. Prosecutors responded that police were simply trying to be discreet.

___

Information from: Yakima Herald-Republic, http://www.yakimaherald.com