open-----jasen dixon is asking a judge to dismiss the charges against him. he's accused of violating sycamore township's zoning laws when he set up his controversial zombie nativity scene, but dixon's attorney says what's really at issue here is freedom of speech. rob-----whether the township's actions dixon's right to express himself. we think mr. dixon has the right to use his yard to express himself. it's his first amendment right. dixon's nativity scene earned him multiple citations totaling thousands of dollars. rob------twenty seven charges. 13,500-dollars in possible fines. attorney rob linneman says the township didn't follow its own procedures when it notified dixon of the violations and imposed a fine on the same day. meanwhile, outside the courthouse dixon supporters dressed as zombies exercized their right to free speech. forest----if people are offended, particularly if they're offended by zombies they need to get a reality check. the case has drawn national attention and dixon says he's in it for the long haul. jasen------i think just sycamore t

jasen dixon "it's completely down, of course." what was here... was this. it's a zombie nativity scene... now out of season... and stored away. now... it's on to the next chapter. dixon "this baby jesus is on his way out. he's going to be up for auction." yes. you heard that right. this is the jesus in dixon's zombie nativity this year... and it's up for sale. dixon "he's a part of horror history. if you're a collector of horror history, then i think zombie baby jesus would be something to have. he's been seen by 10 million, they projected, on the internet." as part of the display, dixon takes donations. take... he cut checks to st. jude children's some to cover he racked up 27 more than 13- in fines over the size of the display. that was all dropped this week. dixon reporter: "did you ever expect so much popularity out of this that you could sell the baby jesus zombie?" jasen: "never ever. not in a million years." the small zombie figure goes up for auction online... tonight. dixon says some of the money... will again go to st. jude... and some to the 2016

jasen dixon has been hit with zoning violations and fines by sycamore township. >> 27 charges, $13,500 in possible fines. reporter: dixon' s attorney argued today the charges should be thrown out. he says the nativity doesn' t violate zoning rules but even if it did, dixon made the changes he was asked to make. >> when he was told violated the code he fixed it, he brought it into compliance. reporter: one of the things that makes zombies so terrifying is they just keep marching forward, and this case, which started before christmas, may not wrap up until spring. the zoning board has another hearing this month. and judge brad greenberg will rule on the motion to dismiss the charges next month. all of that could just be setting the stage for an actual trial. >> the bigger issue is whether the township' s actions impose upon mr. dixon' s right to express himself. we think mr. dixon has a right to use his yard to express himself it' s his first amendment reporter: dixon has said he' ll stick to his guns and take the case to trial. >> i think just, sycamore township made this a circus and i

you may remember this story from december...jasen dixon faced more than four-thousand dollars in fines for the navity scene he put up outside his home.city leaders received complaints about the display... and cited dixon nine times.but they changed their minds earlier this week... saying there's no need to continue with the case because the display's been taken down. still to come this morning, a close encounter for the pope in mexico when he is knocked down.his reaction to the forcing apple executives to unlock a phone this morning. who this phone belonged to and why the fbi says it could contain information they need. hazy skies for the start of temperatures in the mid 20s. we'll eventually see a few breaks in the clouds today but overall, it's still mostly cloudy and dreary. highs are expected in the upper 30s welcome back.some scary moments for pope francis in mexico.the pope was shaking hands with well-wishers at a stadium when someone pulled on his garment and knocked him onto a child in a wheelchair. the pope wasn't hurt... and he scolded those responsible for their behavior.fra

jasen dixon puts the display outside his home in cincinnatti every year for christmas -- but this past year he was fined more than 13-thousand dollars for zoning violations. his attorney arguing dixon was not givennproper noticeeof the meanwhile -- zombie protestors were outside the courthouse during today's hearing. a judge is expected to rule on the case next month. coming up next... we'll hear from waterloo native kyven gadson as he's set to chase a spot in the 20-16 olympic games -- plus -- the 13th ranked iowa state basketball team gos after a 5th straight big 12 conference win mark woodley joins us next on tonight would go after a cyclones hosting 14th ranked west virgina -- 3 and oh all time at home against the mountaineers -- iowa state came out hot -- deonte burton -- punishing the me rims -- cyclones up 13 early -- minutes later -- burton from 15 feet -- hits the jj- iowa state uu 25 to 10 in the first half -- but foul trouble and turnovers get west viriginia back in it -- daxter miles with the 2 off the steal ---makes it a one point game -- cyclones get some momentum before

the township is dropping all 27 misdemeanor charges against the display owner jasen dixon. and dropping more than $13,000 in fines. today, the township withdrew its code violation charges saying the cost to the township to continue would be more than the fines collected . sheree: a new tool to help stop the spread of hepatitis c fueled s heroin epidemic. the northern kentucky health department now has the approval to open its first needle exchange in williamstown. the goal is to reduce the number of hep-c cases, by stopping drug addicts from sharing needles. the health department says last year alone there were 1100 cases of hepatitis c in northern kentucky. there may be additional cases of the zika virus in central ohio. tonight 4 specimens from columbus and 3 from franklin county were sent to the cdc for testing. so far there have been 4 confirmed cases in ohio. 1 of them reported in butler county. the world health organization says it might be necessary to use genetically modified mosquitos to help wipe out the insects that are now spreading the virus. kentucky high scho

jasen dixon faces thousands of dollars in fines for zoning violations concerning the display in his yard. he' s asking a judge to throw out his case --saying he wasn' t given proper notice that his display was in violation and that he was denied due process, because he didn' t have a chance to appeal. a judge is expected to rule in the case march 15. a local hospital making major strides in communication. lisa: the new technology being rolled out at uc health, west the face of patient care. mark: plus, a local high school the big acomplisment from the senior class at depaul cristo the senior class at depaul cristo rey. whether sprint will get here soon. it feels like spring outside, and we will have springlike thunderstorms contend with into the evening overnight. we take a look at when those storms may wake you up in the middle of the night, when we come back. keep your new year' s the folks from body shapes medical are in our studio right now to connect with you, on wlwt.com. this nurse wants to take your questions about hormone health, and becoming healthier. for you. they will be tak

jasen dixon was hit with 27 misdemeanor charges and more than $13,000 in possible fines by sycamore township for his display, showing jesus, mary and joseph as zombies. the case has gone to court several times. and even drew supporters, dressed up as zombies outside the courthouse. today, the township withdrew its code violation charges saying the cost to the township to continue would be more than the victory for freedom of expression and property rights. sheree: the son of the butler county prosecutor found guilty on child porn charges. 35-year-old jason gmoser, along with 4 others. were accused of operating a child pornography ring. jason was indicted on federal charges. back in october prosecutor mike gmoser, opened up about his son. he says he and his wife adopted jason when he was 7 months old. gmoser says. jason dealt with mental illness his entire life. sentencing is set for june. mike: a woman killed, in a house fire in mason today. the home on olympia drive was fully engulfed when firefighters got there, and as wlwt news 5' s dan griffin tells us we have now learned the identity of