Stagliano Trial Jury Selected

WASHINGTON — The jury was seated in the obscenity trial of John Stagliano on Monday, with opening arguments in the case set to begin tomorrow at 10:45 a.m.

The racial make-up of the jury is 10 blacks and two whites, with the gender lines breaking down to five men and seven women.

Two alternate jurors were also seated, a white man and a black woman.

Judge Richard J. Leon also told the defense team that he was not going to allow them to show the jury the entirety of the two films in question, totaling five-and-a-half hours of footage.

Leon indicated he would give them a more substantial ruling, including his reasoning, about the defense’s motion soon, but that he didn’t want the defense to make promises to the jury in their opening arguments that they would not be able to keep.

“I didn’t want you to get caught by surprise,” Leon said to the defense team.

Defense attorney H. Louis Sirkin told the judge he would like to enter an objection on the record to the judge’s decision.

Prosecutors have indicated they intend to show the jury approximately half-an-hour of footage from each film, "Milk Nymphos" and "Storm Squirters 2," plus the eight-minute trailer to "Fetish Fanatic 5."

Leon said he will permit the defense to play portions of the two films not shown by the prosecutors, but in terms of how much and which portions, he has not yet ruled.

Before excusing the jury around 5 p.m., Leon admonished them not to talk to anyone about the case, or, under threat of contempt of court, to read or listen to any media accounts about the trial.

After the jury was excused, lead prosecutor Pamela Stever Satterfield asked Leon if tomorrow, as part of his instructions to the jury, he would explain and instruct them on the Miller test of obscenity. Leon said he would not, although he likely will in his final instructions to them before they deliberate on the case.

Throughout the afternoon's court session, 14 potential jurors were excused in pre-emptive challenges by the defense and prosecutors.

During pre-emptive challenges, lawyers do not need to provide a reason for striking a potential juror. Two men, one white and one black, were excused as potential jurors, as were seven black women and five white women.

In the afternoon session seated in the audience of the courtroom was the director of "Storm Squirters 2," Joey Silvera, industry attorney J.D. Obenberger as well as John Stagliano’s wife, Karen Stagliano.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Aylo Asks Judge to Trim Sweeping GDP-Related Lawsuit

Aylo asked a California federal judge during a hearing on Monday to drop trafficking claims from a sweeping lawsuit brought by a former GirlsDoPorn model.

California Republicans, Democrats Team Up to Advance Age Verification for Porn

Both Republicans and Democrats in the California Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee voted last week to move forward a version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Washington Post Spotlights ECP VP Solomon Friedman's Appearance at XBIZ LA

The Washington Post published this weekend a lengthy feature about Pornhub and Aylo, focusing on Ethical Capital Partners’ VP of Compliance Solomon Friedman’s keynote address and other appearances at XBIZ Los Angeles in January.

'Sex Workers Deserve Protections': Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn Reaches Out to Adult Community

Veteran civil rights attorney Joe Cohn, who is currently running in a New Jersey Democratic primary for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, says he is reaching out to the adult community to champion an inclusive approach to civil liberties that encompasses all sex workers and adult businesses.

Seoul Authorities Force Cancellation of Adult Expo for 'Distorting Perceptions of Sex'

After Seoul authorities repeatedly prevented 2024 KXF The Fashion from finding a suitable venue, event organizers have canceled the popular Korean adult industry expo, which was scheduled for this week.

FSC to Hold Discussion on Adult Industry Rights With Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn

Free Speech Coalition will hold a virtual discussion with congressional candidate Joe Cohn, whom the organization calls a strong advocate for adult industry rights.

Democratic Governor Fails to Veto Kansas Age Verification Bill

Kansas’ Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, expressed strong reservations about the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, but ultimately decided not to veto it, allowing the legislation to become law by default without her signature.

FSC's Alison Boden Testifies Against California Age Verification Bill, Urges Action to Defeat It

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified Tuesday against AB 3080, California’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Phoenix Marie Sues Aylo, Danny D Over Incident on Digital Playground Set

Phoenix Marie has filed a lawsuit against Aylo, performer/producer Danny D and other defendants, alleging she has suffered defamation and damage to her career over a 2023 incident on a Digital Playground set in Spain.

Atlanta Authorities Renew Attack on Adult Boutique Tokyo Valentino

The saga of beleaguered Georgia adult boutique Tokyo Valentino continues with a renewed attempt by authorities to shut down another of its locations.

Show More