If accusations are true, then Craig Murphy has blown what little chance he had of opening a legitimate business in the DeKalb area.

Murphy has been trying since day one to get his business going and claims that it is on the up and up.

But Sycamore police arrested Murphy when citizens started to complain that minors were getting tattoos and one of them pointed the finger at Murphy.

Murphy said he didn’t do it. He said he checks everyone’s ID’s and if he tattooed a minor, then he wasn’t aware of it.

Let’s face it—a tattoo is something permanent and should be given only to a responsible adult who is aware of the consequences.

If the bars in town can spot a fake ID, there’s no reason why Murphy cannot, if that’s what he is implying. If he doesn’t check ID’s, then he is being irresponsible and risking whatever chance he has of establishing a tattoo parlor in the area.

The editorial board always has supported Murphy when he began his fight of an unfair ordinance, but cannot if he has been tattooing minors.

Whether convicted, Murphy probably will not be able to establish his business in the area because of the accusations that people will remember.