’Zombie nativity’ man pleads not guilty in Ohio zoning case

CINCINNATI (AP) — A suburban Cincinnati man who put up a “zombie nativity” display has pleaded not guilty to township zoning violation counts and pledges to keep his holiday tradition alive.

Jasen Dixon says it’s a First Amendment issue. He’s been at odds with Sycamore Township the past two Decembers about his front-yard display and says he made changes to comply.

It features a sharp-toothed, ghoulish figure in the manger where the baby Jesus would be in traditional Christmas nativities. It has drawn complaints, but also widespread attention including to a Facebook page.

Township officials have declared they aren’t anti-zombie, but are enforcing rules.

In other zombie-related developments today, a judge found a man apparently supporting Dixon in contempt of court for allegedly disrupting a trial while made up as a zombie.