This is the mural of Cheri Ann Lindsey as it appeared in the Binghamton park named in her memory. BOB JOSEPH/WNBF NEWS
This is the mural of Cheri Ann Lindsey as it appeared in the Binghamton park named in her memory. BOB JOSEPH/WNBF NEWS
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A painting honoring a Binghamton girl who was killed while collecting on her newspaper route has vanished from a building at a city park named in her memory.

The mural featuring the image of Cheri Ann Lindsey had been a fixture at the North Side park near the Binghamton Plaza. But the side of the building now is covered with black paint.

People who've visited the park in recent weeks have wondered what happened to the mural.

David Lindsey, Cheri Ann's father, says one of the artists responsible for the tribute to his daughter told him he intended to cover the image because its condition had deteriorated.

Jesse Ryan, a Harpursville resident, painted the original mural with a friend a few years ago.

Ryan says he had noticed the paint on the mural had been peeling. He says it "wasn't a good" image, so he painted over the mural.

Ryan says he and his fellow artist plan to repaint the park building this spring. He says he expects to paint another likeness of Cheri Ann on the structure. It may be similar to the previous image, which was based on a cherished family photograph of the girl.

Cheri Ann Lindsey was twelve years old when she was killed by James Wales Sr. in March 1984. He was sentenced to 33-and-a-third years to life in prison.

Wales is being held in the Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia. He could be eligible for parole in July 2017.

Wales, who was 35 at the time of the crime, now is 66 years old.

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