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Creator Of Phonehenge West Guilty Of Building Violation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The retired telephone service technician, who dotted Southern California's desert landscape with a colorful collection of eccentric structures that he calls Phonehenge West, has been convicted of nine misdemeanor counts of maintaining unpermitted buildings.

Prosecutors charged Alan Kimble Fahey, of Acton, with 14 misdemeanors, including unlawful use of his land.

Jurors said Tuesday they were unable to reach a verdict on the other charges. They asked that attorneys for both sides reargue their positions on them so they can deliberate further. The attorneys were to do that Wednesday morning.

Los Angeles County officials say Phonehenge West is a safety hazard and must be torn down.

Supporters call it a work of folk art and compare it to the Watts Towers, which were built by another self-taught craftsman, Simon Rodia.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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