Former Cambridge City Councillor William H. Walsh was found innocent yesterday of charges of malicious destruction of a city art exhibit which contained several "anatomically explicit" dildos.

After only forty minutes of deliberation, a jury at the Cambridge District Court delivered a verdict of not guilty to Walsh, who faced charges of malicious destruction of personal property in excess of $250.

The state charged Walsh with malicious destruction after he tore two dildos and removed a sculpture which read, "Show Me Yours," from a controversial art exhibit on October 5.

The exhibit was on display throughout October in the Cambridge City Hall Annex, a public arts space.

James J. Rafferty, Walsh's attorney, said before the verdict, "I feel we were able to demonstrate that there was no crime here."

The six-member jury agreed, clearing Walsh of the charge. The former councillor maintained that he should have never been prosecuted in the first place.

"It's great to be vindicated," he said. "When you do prevail, it's rewarding."

Walsh added that the case should serve as a message to public officials that they should not feel intimidated to take controversial stands, but he described the trial as "an awful expe- rience to go through."

Walsh said in interviews last week that he wasmoved to remove the dildoes after city employeesworking in city hall found the exhibit offensive.

The former city councillor removed the dildoesshortly before the exhibit opened to the public,bringing them to City Manager Robert W. Healy'soffice. The items were subsequently reinstalled,but with a protective barrier and a notice thatthe exhibit involved "sensitive" material.

Although the jury found in Walsh's favor, JudgeMark Coven added his own remarks after the jurorswere dismissed. "There is no question in my mindthat Mr. Walsh was acting in what he considered tobe good faith for the people who came to him whenhe was acting as a city councillor."

Walsh's attorney said he found the judge'scomments unusual and potentially problematic. "Ourcriminal justice system is based on the fact thatthe jury has the final word. That ought to be thefinal word in the case."

Nonetheless, he added that Coven is "awell-respected judge" and said that it was "hisprerogative" to make the comments.

Rafferty, who defended Walsh pro bono, said hehad seen the exhibit and was personally offended."I agreed to represent Walsh pro bono because ofmy own sense of outrage, not at Mr. Evers....Mydispleasure was directed at the City," he said.

Curaco-born artist Hans Evers, who had filedthe complaint against Walsh leading to Friday'strial, said, "The whole reason for me pursuing wasbecause I felt that it was outrageous what hedid."

Evers, in an interview before the trial, saidWalsh must be held accountable for his actions.