Neighbors divided over 'cross-burning'

CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A Canton, Ohio, man says what neighbors saw as a burning cross was part of his Halloween display and was not racially motivated.

Shane Helson, 36, was charged with disorderly conduct. He told police he was charring wood Tuesday night for a massive Halloween display, the Canton (Ohio) Repository reported Thursday.

"We were going to do a whole cemetery in the whole front yard," Helson said. "I didn't think of it as a cross."

Neighbor Stephanie Blankenship, who is white, said she and her husband, who is black, have had problems with Helson, but none of the issues have been race related, the Repository reported. Nonetheless, Blankenship said the night-time cross burning intimidated them.

Helson is accused of burning a cross on the sidewalk and roadway while children played in the area, police said, alleging Helson continued to spray lighter fluid on the burning objects after the fire department arrived.