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Subscribe to RSSA Maine judge decided Tuesday not to dismiss charges against Zumba prostitution defendant Mark Strong. Superior Court Justice Nancy Mills is also expected to decide whether to allow in court 577 "extremely sexual" Skype screenshots that the defense has argued would unfairly prejudice the jury.
The defense attorney for Strong, 57, warned of the graphic nature of the images and said Monday they would "drown" his client, according to the Bangor Daily News.
"I think some of this stuff is going to horrify some of these people to the point where he won't possibly get a fair trial," defense attorney Daniel Lilley said.
But prosecutors allege that the images are crucial evidence showing that Strong was involved in running a prostitution ring out of Alexis Wright's Pura Vida Zumba studio in Kennebunk. Wright is due to stand trial separately.
"The state has to prove that Mark Strong was actively involved in the prostitution [business]," Deputy District Attorney Justina McGettigan told Justice Mills on Monday. "Part of that active involvement was that he was monitoring the prostitution from his Thomaston location through Skype."
Also discussed on Tuesday was a motion filed by the defense to dismiss the remaining charges against Strong. Defense attorney Lilley has accused the prosecution of missing deadlines to turn over documents related to the case.
"Enough is enough," defense counsel Tina Nadeau said Tuesday. Dismissing the charges against Strong would be a fitting rebuttal to prosecutors, she said.
The judge will instead issue a special instruction to jurors. Mills also decided on Tuesday to order prosecutors to give the defense a file on a Kennebunk police officer.
The trial is to continue with witness testimony on Tuesday, the Portland Press Herald reported, and Mills has yet to come to a decision on how many pornographic images the jury will see.
Strong is on trial for 13 charges related to promotion of prostitution. Forty-six charges related to alleged violations of privacy were dismissed by the judge in a decision affirmed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Feb. 15. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:40 AM EST
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Did he say it with a straight face?
Hummmmmmmmm .... The Attitude of most Americans about sex is archaic based on the Victorian morality taught .. not experience ... or reality. Any deviance from what they consider "norm" is considered "wrong, inappropriate,and criminal" .... effectively preventing the defendants from receiving a fair & just trial...
This case is another "Witch Hunt" to pillory the defendants for having different sexual values ...
Or it's going to hornify the people to the point where they'll want a piece of the action.
If only I were on the jury....
Q. "Zumba trial: How much porn should jurors watch?"
A. "All of it! Every last clip and drip!"
I can see all the male jurors "feeding the chickens" sitting in the court room watching... :rofl: "Judge, we're going to need a copy of this to watch in our hotel rooms tonight for further study"
As a juror, for expense sake, I would agree to skip the first part of the tape and watch the doggy ending for confirmation evidence........
Pass the popcorn and get this parrrrrrty started!!! (Sombody dim the lights)!!
(one juror to another) I would have said this was gonna be a dog and pony show.... until I saw the doq and pony IN the show...
Hey... what's with the midget??? (Dangerfield, Back to School)..
When the prosecution can "drown you with evidence" that's when you try to cut a plea deal or take the consequences.
Yes, it's a sticky situation alright.
Those are evidences, you mean that based on the evidences collected the defendant will not get a fair trial? WTF?
LOL, ya, I guess I'll answer the question with a question. How horny do you want the jury to be? :-)
I'm still fighting to get on the list...
How much porn should the jury watch? I'd only need about 5 minutes of it.
Until they come, to a conclusion, that is!
Wonder if it's a hung jury?
Is anyone thinking what I am thinking?
That judge will be like 'I sat thru every disgusting frame of those films, Twice!' Now if I could only think of the name of that movie.
On a serious note, If they want to charge the defendant with promotion of prostitution and violations of privacy then the jury must see all there is to see to make the call.
This is about prostitution, so they should at least witness the money shots!
Can the defense get them out of the hole they're stuck in?
The defendants are really getting the shaft on this one.
The prosecution is really gonna stick it to them hard.
"I'm taking my raincoat because it's gonna be a long trial."
moonbeamracer
This case is another "Witch Hunt" to pillory the defendants for having different sexual values ...
Wow, and here I thought it was about him and her breaking the law by running a prostitution business. I guess you have no problems with having "illegal" immagrants here, eh?
WTF is the Big deal about prostitution???? These stupid fkn prosecutors have nothing better to do??? Go out and find , arrest and prosecute rapists!!!! Do something productive!!
The problem with prostitution is the human trafficking element. Did you see Taken? That's the sort of thing I'm talking about. Think it doesn't happen in this country? Think again.
I don't care if a woman wants to sell her sexual favors, but it has to be her decision, not her pimp's. Too many young women (and underage girls) are forced into sexual slavery to service the prostitution trade.
Any man who pays a woman for sex should be ashamed unless he can be absolutely sure that woman wants to do it, and there's no way for him to know that. His sexual appetite fuels this problem and ruins people's lives.
That's why it needs to be legal and regulated. Legalize, regulate, and tax prostitution, marijuana and gambling and there would be no federal deficit.
I think George Carlin said it... Sex is weird. It's the only thing you're allowed to give away for free, but not to sell.
Also, it's REALLY weird when you consider you can't pay people to have sex... unless you film it and call it porn and sell it.
--
Yes, human trafficking is present in America. It's more than a little scary how widespread that nasty underworld is. Which is why I agree with Fitz -- legalized, regulated, taxed, (potentially even unionized) prostitution largely avoids those problems.
AG99, in the US, most escort prostitutes are NOT UNDERAGE.
AG99, what are you ranting about? If an adult woman who's not an illegal immigrant wants money for sex, it's none of anyone else's business. Certainly not yours. A lack of access to them fuels deviancy - the likes you never want to see.
It seems totally stupid to try to stop the world's "oldest profession" from existing. This is a victimless crime, unless trafficking is involved. As long as adults need to engage in these practices, and everybody is okay with it, what is the problem, this keeps people off the streets, money in some pockets, relief in some minds, a win win scenario. In the state of Maine, there are many dark hours in the winter, what people behind close doors should be their own business as long as nobody is being forced.
AB: I suggest you do a little research on the sex trade. Thousands of underage girls are forced into prostitution, both here and abroad. Many are illegal immigrants who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, but some are kidnapped American girls being forced to serve in all our major cities.
And I said I don't care if a woman sells herself, so long as it's her decision. Read better next time. You sound like you're pretending there is no forced prostitution, and if you really think that, then you're painfully ignorant.
How many women already use sexual inference to get some benefit?
- Showing more cleavage to get out of a speeding ticket or a discount when shopping
- Showing more cleavage and thigh to get free drinks (the 'The tighter the money = the tighter the dress' modus operandi)
- Using male sexual desires to manipulate men (i.e. wearing the tank tops, tight shorts, etc. to get free moving help, car repairs, etc.)
I've seen all of these, and then some. These are only one or two steps removed from prostitution by definition, which is why many see them as being the same thing when their definition is non-negative financial benefit by promoting sexually suggestive interest.
With that said: Yes, prostitution does have a strong criminal element from being an offshoot of drugs and larceny to human trafficking and domestic violence, and many of the providers (men and women alike) do not get to keep most of the income they raise due to pimps threatening violence or getting them hooked on drugs, only to make them work to get their next fix.
Its not all doom-and-gloom. People forget the news of the past around women like Ashley DuPre, Sally Saxon, and others where the stories were out, but quickly forgotten by mainstream media for the more 'drugs, abuse and trafficking' ones to drive ratings. Look around in any community, and you will find women who have day jobs, seemingly supporting themselves, and many have a partner they have an arrangement with to some extent. It has even gone so far to open up new websites in recent years such as SeekingArrangement, WhatsYourPrice, MissTravel and more where its slowly permeating into society.
In the end, it's part of our society on some level. What should really be the focus is taking away the trafficking element, regulate and enforce it with mandatory drug and disease testing, a registered record of whom all is involved in case a situation breaks out, monetary flow control (i.e. direct-deposit vs. cash - less likely to get robbed), and for those who operate outside the legalized structure should all be pursued as serious felonies (in most states, prostitution and trafficking for prostitution are merely misdemeanors). Those felony convictions should have strong sentencing as well. Add in required participation or donation to a program to help women get out of the business and develop non-sexual working skills, it could have a great impact to not only separate it from the usual criminal element, but take finances away from cartels, pimps, and drug dealers, put law enforcement in a better position to pursue felony offenders and other crimes, but also reduce the likelihood of trafficking since it would be an even higher penalty if caught.
AG99 what a loser, you cite a movie as your source. If you legalize it then you don't have pimps. In this case, the prosecution is nothing more than a waste of money. We don't need our city, county, state and federal prosecuters being the moral police. They have those running around Saudi Arabia and Iran.
I think you guys would be hard pressed to find the many women (who aren't prostitues) who think it is a victimless crime. Lets face it; what would happen if it was legalized and regulated is married men on their way home form work would be tempted on a daily basis for a "quickie", eventually gives into temptation, wife finds out or gets an STD, wife and kids divorce man and take all his money. So really you all lose either way.
makessense-7131188, not really. Why? Because once it's legalized and regulated, use of condoms and STD tests would be mandatory, just as in the California porn industry. As a case in point, porn stars do not go around passing STDs, even though they hardly use condoms. About the hubby and wife, maybe they'd mutually want the hooker to join in a threesome. It happens all the time. Fighting against freedom, I see...
Don't be stupid. It's not source, just an example for people who know nothing about this problem (like you, apparently). Can no one read? I have nothing against legalized prostitution; I never said I did. My point is as long as it is illegal, young girls will be abused. Legalizing it would solve a lot of problems. But until then, Johns use these girls and pretend they're doing it because they want to, not because their pimp will beat them if they don't.
AB- for the STD portion of your response I would suggest that it would be very tricky to get all prostitutes tested on regular basis considering their lifestyle choices. As to the man and wife scenario, it does happen RARELY so only in your wildest dreams. I know that men cheat on women more often than the wife agrees to a threesome, get real...
Clearly this case has nothing to do with human trafficking. Is it so hard to believe there are women who will sell their bodies for sex without being under duress?
And if it is some sort of human bondage case you shouldn't arrest the prostitutes but rather the pimps. Once the ladies get a record of prostitution that often becomes their life.
In many European countries the girls must be licensed, And there are severe penalties for working without a license.
vox: I was responding to the original poster's "WTF is the Big deal about prostitution????" not this specific case. But apparently you can't read any better than the rest of the commenters on this thread. I feel like I'm constantly repeating the obvious.
They manage to do regular testing it in Nevada where prostitution is legal in most counties (but not, surprisingly, in Las Vegas). Their "lifestyle choices" are chaotic because they're forced underground in most places. Make prostitution legal and regulated and there would be a totally different set of dynamics.
John D.-303905
WTF is the Big deal about prostitution???? These stupid fkn prosecutors have nothing better to do???John,
These "stupid, fkn" prosecutors are doing their job, like it or not. They prosecute the crimes your elected officials at both state and federal level enact. If there is anyone here who'se stupid me thinks it's probably YOU.
Oh ya...and I want to be a jurist at this trial....
The name 'Alexis Wright's Pura Vida Zumba studio' wouldn't have drawn any attention. Another Larry Flynnt wannabe.
Porn is porn...is it necessary to view it? Leave it to the imagination...that's enough...
Hummmmmmmm "Porn is porn...is it necessary to view it? Leave it to the imagination...that's enough..."
Really? ............How could you possibly know what "porn" is without viewing the video .... ?
This is evidence in a trial of law, to determine if a individual charged with a felony is guilty of a crime ... NOT PORN .. While it might be of a sexual nature, to label it "PORN" is the most severe form of "prejudice" and ignorance that precludes the opportunity for a fair and impartial trial of the accused ...
This trial is not about "pornography" .... to label evidence as "Porn" shows ignorance and sexual insecurity, and prejudice ...
If the court supplies the drinks and buttered popcorn, who's going to care ?
Hey you forgot some towels to clean up the mess to. Plus some hand sanitizer. Would you want to eat popcorn if no one sanitized their hands.
If you're going to give towels and hand sanitizer, I'd also recommend a good lube. If you don't, you could expect some injuries and infections. A good lube would go a long, hard way toward mitigating the associated friction burns.
Just sayin'.
And you thought that was sticky candy and soda on the floor when you left the jouror box....
I walked into a place that had a sign advertising "HANDJOBS $2. CHEESE SANDWICH $1". I walked in and asked the waitress if the sign outside was correct? She replied affirmatively. I asked her to go wash her hands and make me a cheese sandwich.
Is the lube included?
"Smear on some Hellman's; and bring out the best!"
"Best grab some Bounty; and cover your chest."
You betcha, All of it, if I am sitting on this trial, I want the benies too.
Wow, I wonder why 46 of the charges were dismissed, and whose privacy was violated. Makes me think the charges being dismissed are protecting people. 577 screenshots and Strong is only on trial for 13 charges? Something's not right.
46 charges of invasion of privacy. So the "johns" don't have to go to court, the charges were dropped
Just makes me wonder if the "johns" whose privacy got invaded were policemen, firemen, men of public office.... They all need to be outed no matter who they were, my opinion.
Show it all. If you are going to Play you are going to Pay. Sometimes more than once!
By "unable to get a fair trial" is he saying that, by allowing the court to present evidence proving his client's guilt, he won't be able to convince the jury that he's not guilty?
I think every member of the jury who can prove their parents did not engage in any sexual acts during their inception should be excused from the case. The rest of the jury should be made to watch the entire collection of 'pornography' and reminded that their parents, and probably themselves, if they have children, have performed similar acts, and the only difference is that they were not filmed. Maybe they were, in which case the whole case should be dropped. It's not like anyone was forced to participate in these videos.
So if they can prove they were test tube babies, they can go?
I think this is one time when the gender of the jury selection is joing to make a significant difference. Males will have dilated pupils, females will be asleep. Porn? zzzzzz...
Now why did'nt I get jury duty like this!!!
That's what I was thinking. I was have been there everyday early and alert : )
Because he'll need the weekend to fap to them, and Monday to recover from all that fapping.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, please disregard the images that are stuck together."
They need to show the images. If the images bury the defence then the guy should probably plead guilty now and hope for a lesser sentence.
The courts and the media is going to make this guy rich. Jury probably will want autographed take-home copies later.
a lot.
I can volunteer.
can they watch it in private? do they have to pay extra for tissues and hand lotion? what sort of place is this judge running?
Just allow the Jury members to decide when they have seen enough.
Zumba trial: How much porn should jurors watch?
As much as they have time for of course!
How much? Are you kidding? Every minute possible!
The jurors will love it. The will be a bunch of horny people by days end.
This case reminds me of the "Scarlett Letter" seems like Maine is still stuck in the 17th century with their Puritan ethics.
I would be more concerned with violence in Maine, instead of what consenting adults do in their spare time.
The more porn I see, the better informed I become. I would want to be the best jurist that I can possibly be.
They want it dismissed because most of the jurors probably know most of the johns. Personally I'm all for consentual prostitution, but as long as we're going to criminalize it, I want to see these johns take the heat for their actions. I'm sorry, but your "name on a list" is not going to ruin your marriage and life. Your ACTIONS will.
They can watch as much as they like but must keep their hand on the table.
warrren...you're a killjoy!!
That would make it incredibility hard!
No, that would prevent it from becoming incredibly hard.