Woman accused of having sex at church pleads not guilty
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A homeless woman accused of having sex with a man beneath a statue of the Virgin Mary at a Roman Catholic church in New Jersey has pleaded not guilty to lewdness and other charges.
Noelle Smart entered the pleas Tuesday in Seaside Heights Municipal Court.
Authorities say the 48-year-old Smart and 43-year-old Anthony Getchius were found May 22 in "a sacred area" on the grounds of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which is next door to police headquarters.
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Smart told the Asbury Park Press she and Getchius were homeless and staying behind the church. She says "the act of lewdness wasn't happening."
A public defender was appointed Tuesday to represent Smart.
Getchius was charged with lewdness, disrobing in public and other offenses. It was unknown whether he has an attorney.
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Information from: Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, http://www.app.com