Staunton, Virginia [News Leader] The ending of the much-anticipated obscenity trial in Staunton last week was, at best, confusing.
One of two videos taken from the store by undercover police officers was deemed by the jury of seven to be obscene, and one person tried in the case was found guilty.
We're left wondering what it all means.
If a conviction of obscenity relies on the standard of the community, how does a split decision define our standards?
Are we as a city of residents a little bit concerned about obscenity? Do we run hot and cold on the question? Does it matter who starred in the flick?
Does this mean that one video taken from After Hours Video flies in the face of the community standard of morality? Should each video be taken from the store, studied in detail by the prosecutor's office, be shown before a special grand jury, then be the topic of a multi-day trial?
Does this mean that when the city of Staunton (and the police chief) approved the adult business license taken out by Rick Krial, the owner, (even though he legally opened his business months before the ordinance requiring such a license was put on the books?) was wrong to do so?
When Staunton Commonwealth's Attorney Raymond C. Robertson stands before a jury of seven and pronounces this city free of immorality, is he not concerned about the drive-by shootings and gang-related activities? In fact, about the same time that Robertson started his heavy-handed undercover operation, a 10-year-old boy was shot in a drive-by on Walnut Street.
Robertson is the chief law enforcement officer for the city. He is elected by the people. We appreciate that his office is busy, perhaps at times overwhelmed.
And we believe Robertson when he says he loves this city. We don't want to see adult businesses lining the streets of Staunton. We don't want billboards advertising strip clubs and XXX moviehouses in town.
But this investigation isn't over. There will be expensive appeals on these convictions and a list of felony charges against Krial and the store yet to be tried.
When it's over, we just hope the benefit has been worth the cost and that all criminal cases in this city that Robertson loves have been given the attention each deserves.
