A retired Lyford High School art teacher now claims that he never really intended to press criminal charges against Raymondville museum board members, but still wants to raise consciousness of what he feels is an immoral poster of nude Spanish sailors being displayed to kids.

Elmer Kochert, who taught at Lyford ISD for 34 years, said that anyone who condones this picture is morally dead.

"Their conscience and soul is dead caused by evil entertainment media, and by not believing in the truth of God's Ten Commandments," Kochert said. "It's depressing to know that our family gave over 800 hours of work to improve the museum ... and they have been displaying a gross nude picture for years."

Kochert said that he contacted Sheriff Larry Spence because he is someone he can talk to, and that he has only given a handwritten document to local clergy and school officials to raise awareness of what he feels is an evil and immoral presentation at the museum, where he has painted numerous murals.

Board Member Glenn Harding said that the board has now decided that they will continue to display the poster to school children, which is a reversal of a decision of two weeks ago to show it to just adults.

At issue is a small poster replica showing the group of naked Spanish sailors, watching Spanish men, women and children dying from arrow wounds inflicted by the Karankawa Indians, after the shipwreck.

The State of Texas Historical Commission mural exhibit has been portraying the events of the three Spanish galleons that ran aground, and the ensuing battle between the Karankawa's and about 300 shipwrecked Spaniards.

Is the poster immoral, obscene, or pornographic?

One-hundred percent, or 16 respondents, who took an online Chronicle/News poll, felt that the Spaniards being portrayed without clothing was not pornographic. The poll is still running.

Kochert said that he continues to be extremely disappointed with the board, and that he turned down a recent offer to join the board.

"Had I known that they were displaying this gross and nude picture in the back room," Kochert said. "I would not have created the murals ... that I painted."

Harding is still encouraging residents and visitors to come to the museum and decide for themselves.

The museum, which is located at 427 S. 7th Street (U.S. Highway Business 77) is open Wednesday's and Saturday's from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and by special appointment. E-mail comments on this story to; robert@raymondvillechroniclenews.com