GOP glad to discover real story of glass

"I'm glad it wasn't an act of vandalism," said county party Chairman Howard Wall. "I'm certainly sorry some of the young people got hurt."

The large 8-by-8 window shattered early Saturday morning when a group of friends — many former MTSU aerospace students in town for a reunion — saw the cardboard cutout of President Bush and decided to pose for a group picture. Apparently one or more of the group may have leaned against the window. Two of the people in the group required stitches at the Middle Tennessee Medical Center emergency room when the glass shattered.

A police report was taken at the hospital, but it wasn't available until Monday morning.

"I wasn't privy to the police report (Saturday or Sunday)," Wall said. "We went by the police station Saturday afternoon, and they didn't have a report. We were given the impression the police didn't know who was involved. We just didn't know.

"I am relieved to know (the people involved) were forthcoming to the police," he said. "I wish we had known this earlier."

The window was not covered by insurance, Wall said.

"The glass company will be putting in shatter-proof glass," he said.

Local Republicans bear the group no ill will, he said.

"We wish them Godspeed in their recovery," he said. "And if they'll let us know when they come back to Murfreesboro, we'll give them a tour. And we'll have a new cutout of the president if they want a picture."

In The Daily News Journal Tuesday, Brian Penrod, one of those in the group, was identified as a former MTSU student. Although many in the group are, he is not. He is a graduate of Texas State University in mass communications.