CBS4 Obtains Video Of Woman Attacking Painting Before Urinating
DENVER (CBS4) - A painting valued at $30 million has been repaired and is back on display at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver.
Earlier this year Carmen Tisch was accused of attacking the painting with her fist. CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger requested a copy of the evidence after Tisch pleaded guilty. He obtained the security camera video of what happened.
Security camera video from inside the museum Dec. 29 shows Tisch stumbling around. Then a painting seems to catch her attention. It's simply entitled "1957-J2." After a few moments she goes over to the painting, takes a close up look at the work of art and then proceeds to scratching it and beating it with her fist. She then pulled down her pants and urinated.
Tisch was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal mischief. Her mother revealed then she had addiction problems.
"I have no idea what even happened. I just know that this is not something she would do normally. My daughter has been addicted to alcohol for a long time," said Mary Thompson, Tisch's mother.
Thompson said that day her daughter was likely on alcohol and drugs, but does not remember a thing about what happened.
Tisch was given two years probation and ordered to pay $2,800 in restitution. Apparently the damage she caused was not as serious as first feared. Some indentations were relaxed and surface marks reduced after 50 hours of work. The painting is now back on the wall.
Tisch's mother said her daughter is doing much better, but still does not recall why she attacked the painting or what she did.
