Jury finds developer broke law in tearing down Queens graffiti mecca 5 Pointz

LONG ISLAND CITY, Queens (WABC) -- A battle over graffiti has come to an end. A jury found a real estate developer broke the law when he tore down the 5 Pointz complex in Queens.

For nearly two decades, a complex of buildings in Long Island City were covered in colorful murals spray painted on by several artists.
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The complex was torn down to make way for luxury apartments.

21 artists sued developer Jerry Wolkoff saying the 49 pieces of grafitti were protected works of art.

As a result- every artist was awarded damages after Tuesday's verdict.

For 7 train riders, 5 Pointz, the mecca of graffiti art in Queens might as well have been a stop in the area.
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"It was the only legal outlet that allowed everybody to paint," said graffiti artist Meres One.
Meres One is the artist who ran 5 Pointz, but the warehouse came down in 2013 to make way for two luxury towers.