Three men went to trial in an English court on Monday accused of stealing an 18-carat gold toilet, aired as a work of art at an exhibition at the birthplace of former United Kingdom Minister Winston Churchill.
The work entitled “America”, by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen from quarters from the Churchill family at the Blenheim Palace in southern England, an important tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Prosecutor Julian Christopher said a group of five men passed two stolen vehicles for wooden gates and broke into the palace land before the dawn of September 14, 2019. They entered a window, broke a wooden door They ripped the toilet from the wall and left after five minutes.
The toilet, which weighed 98 pounds, had a $ 6 million insurance. Prosecutors say the object was probably divided into smaller amounts of gold to be marketed.
Michael Jones, 39, responds to an accusation of theft. He declares himself innocent.
Fred DOE, 36, and 40 -year -old Bora Guccuk are accused of conspiracy for hiding or transferring criminal property, which they deny.
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A fourth accused, 39 -year -old James Sheen, has already been guilty of theft.
The trial is expected to last four weeks.
