JoCo grand jury issues obscenity indictments

UPDATED: Brian, the DA's spokesman, wrote back with a couple of notes. One, the grand jury was initiated by a petition drive, and grand juries get to decide what they're presented with. There are 15 citizens on a grand jury -- 12 of them have to agree before an indictment is issued.

He also points out the statutes that apply in this case. To see, go to http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-statutes/index.do, and look for 21-4502 and 21-4301.

UPDATED: OK, we've got the indictments, courtesy of Diane Carroll, who covers Johnson County courts. They're downloadable as Word documents. They might have language you consider objectionable.

Spirit Halloween -- accused of selling "Country Lovin'", "Tricky Dick," "Wet T-Shirt" and "Snake Charmer" costumes. (Don't exactly know what they look like.)
Priscilla's -- accused of selling a series of sex toys, including a dildo, and a DVD with a title that my editor would kill me if I printed.
Hollywood at Home -- accused of selling adult DVDs.

PREVIOUSLY: A JoCo grand jury has indicted three businesses on charges of promoting obscenity. You know, I'm a little surprised it's gotten to this point. The grand jury's done a lot of work, but it seems like they talked everything BUT obscenity, until now.

Johnson County does have a clearly spelled-out list of what is and isn't considered a breach of community standards, though, as established by a grand jury in 1989. Selling a porno movie that lacks a "significant storyline or plot" is a no-no under those rules. But I'm not sure how closely this grand jury consulted the old report.

Again, I don't know any of these businesses -- or what they're accused of selling. Maybe it's something truly obscene. I'm curious to see what specifically the grand jury reviewed. A little help, gentle reader: Does anybody have any experience with these stores?

From Sara Shepherd's story:

A grand jury has accused three Johnson County businesses of promoting obscenity, according to indictments handed down late Tuesday. ... Each of the three businesses was indicted on multiple counts, all misdemeanors.

According to court documents:

• Spirit Halloween, 6824 W. 119th St. in Overland Park, displayed adult costumes where minors could view them.

• Hollywood at Home, 9063 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park, “unlawfully and knowingly or recklessly” possessed and intended to sell obscene DVDs.

• Priscilla’s, 1848 East Santa Fe St. in Olathe, possessed and intended to sell various obscene devices and an obscene DVD.

Comments

[Boyo]

Any obscenity standard set by a 1989 grand jury would be hopelessly out of date in 2007. In those days you couldn't get porn on your cell phone, and high school girls didn't attend class dressed like underwear models.

[A]

• Priscilla’s, 1848 East Santa Fe St. in Olathe, possessed and intended to sell various obscene devices and an obscene DVD.

Isnt that what you go to Priscilla's to buy? I agree with the first post, 1989 is extremely outdated and needs a serious updating.

[CareBear]

There used to be a place called Spencers at Independence Center, accidentally walked into it one time and wow, in the back was all kinds shall we say "adult items", shocked my poor little innocent self.

There also used to be a place called After Dark Videos on Westport. Being much older and wiser, I jauntily went in and after about 30 seconds, went running back out the door.

[A]

Spencers is a great store. Love to go in there and see whats new.

[CareBear]

Well A, I am in shock! There is NEVER anyone up this time of mornin. Is Spencers still at the Center? At my age now, there is absolutely nothing that would shock me. I do remember that what drew me in there in the first place was the smell of incense. Always loved that, kinda reminds me of the Age of Aquarius era.

[Door King]

The whole problem is that many people think that nature is obscene. People are horny, they like sex, and porn steams them up. That's the purpose of it. To get the juices flowing and the erection growing. For the life of me, I can't understand what's wrong with that. I mean it like happens billions of times a day in the world.

[The_Golfer]

Spencers - remember when the back part was where you got your 'smoking' products, papers, incense, etc. Now, adult toys and games.

Spirit of Halloween? - Come on, that store shows up around town about this time of year and sells Halloween outfits, and yard decorations. I love the place. Halloween is my favorite holiday. Yes, I am morbid, turn my yard into a graveyard. Have to tone back this year though, found out I freaked a lot of the little ones out last year.

[Searching]

That's funny golfer. Got a friend the same way. He has built his own guilateen, casket and has made a 50ftwide spiderweb in the front yard. He hides on the porch in a costume that looks like a hanging skeleton and scares the kids when they come to the door. The whole family is into it. The 4 year old lays in the casket and sits up when people come by!
It is halloween.. you are supposed to do things that scare you!

[jpbikerfreak aka cartman]

This is what you get when you put Phil Kline into politics.

Is he gone get?

Is he gone yet?

Is he gone yet?

[EAW]

Someone is selling adult material to adults!!! Alert the Church Elders!

I moved away from the KC area more than 15 years ago. Everytime I start to forget why I left, something like this pops up to remind me. The Puritans may have landed on Plymouth Rock, but they are alive and well in KC.

All you people complaining about the government wasting its time and your money on these witch hunts should remember how embarrassed you are come election day.

[unnamed assailant]

Welcome to Jo-Co please set your watches back 100 years.

Even Dr. Ruth (who was just in the news yesterday) was talking about how sex toys and pornographic viewing matter was helpful in keeping a healthy relationship going.

It is so funny to see all these ads for Viagra when about 5 minutes of porn would do the job just as well and 3 times as fast.

[annprkr]

Anyone who has ever heard of Priscilla’s knows the sell adult items who cares fun loveing adults need a place to shop too and I bet if you go to any good halloween store you will see adult costumes in plain veiw where children can see them this world has gotten too stupid for its own good

[JewwellsP]

Smoking products at Spencer's? We spent so much money in there growing up. I don't remember any smoking accessories. This during the era of late 70's early 80's. How long has Spencer's been around?
JP might remember the headshop on 76th & Metcalf next to Western Auto. 7th Heaven used to have a shop on Santa Fe near Swim Quick.
As Archie Bunker said, "those were the days"

[Porn Nazi]

We must keep consenting adults from sinning and not being able to get into heaven. Its for their own good. We the Government Know Best.

(end sarcasm)

[JewwellsP]

Besides, just what is wrong with porn?
I appreciate the fact that some chick wants to show it all to me. Their just trying to make a $ too.

[Beth]

Well, sounds like I moved away from Kansas City and the midwest just in time. Kline is up to his usual Puritanical BS. Serioulsy, when that headline showed up in the inbox I thought "Jesus H. Christ! Does the man seriously not have anything else to do in his work day?"

[wellpaidscientist]

I will add this item to my list of why I will never live in KS.

[Mickey Mouse]

to cartman:

This is what you get when you put GEORGE BUSH into politics:

Is he gone yet?
Is he gone yet?
Is he gone yet?

Nope, but I'm still waiting!!!

7th Heaven was in Westport, well, a long time ago

[Scott R.]

Does this law revolve around that it is/was illegal to sell or rent any movie deemed as X-rated? I remember hearing from a guy at a movie place that they could not rent a Clockwork Orange because it received an X-rating and renting it would be against the law.

[James Hart]

Scott: Not sure. I just wrote an email to the DA's spokesman asking about the specific titles and community standards, but I'm not sure how much they'll be able to release right away.

[JG]

Wow, that makes me really happy to see the government intervening in what can and cannot be sold at an adult store.
With any luck, I can get a meal itinerary sent to me so I can eat what the government tells me to.
Maybe we can also get a list of words that we can't think or say out loud for fear of offending absolutely anyone.
This $h1t is absolutely ridiculous. It kind of reminds me of the suppression of Moveon.org's Petreaus ad.
Freedom isn't free here.

[Searching]

Clockwork Orange is rated X?.. The film that started rhymning speech amongst British teens in the early 70's.. Wasnt that about brainwashing inmates so that they were incapable of committing crimes without becoming violently ill? Rated X? OK, I am surprised at that!

[The_Golfer]

JewwellsP - The Spencer's, in Memphis where I grew up, sold the stuff. Along with black lights, black light posters, etc.

Some of the clothes were Victoria Secret style before Vic became known.

(Starts daydreaming about the girl friends who would buy and wear the stuff......) GOOD times.

[The_Golfer]

When Clockwork Orange first came out, it was rated X. That I remember.

[James Hart]

searching: Yeah, X wasn't the scarlet letter it is today. Originally, it was used for mature films that -- while they add sex or violence or extreme profanity -- often had a lot of artistic merit, too. "Midnight Cowboy" was rated X and won an Academy Award.

[kay]

Back when Seventh Heaven was around, the world wasn't so uptight. Now you can go to jail for anything.
I've been to Priscilla's and Spencer's. And I think I will still go to Heaven.

[Nick]

Well personally, after seeing first hand how the Priscilla’s at 75th and Metcalf was being run, and the apparent lack of standards our City Council has adopted in licensing businesses. I'm glad to see someone start enforcing the laws for a change.
If I ever lose my imagination, creative thoughts and credit card, I'll be more than happy to drive to one of the already dilapidated communities for visual aids.
Now if we could just get a grand jury investigation into who the hell it is that keeps approving HUD apartment complexes and grants to El Centro, we'll be cooking with gas!

[Why didn't you think of this sooner?]

Its comforting to know that a grand jury has been searching and studying porn since 1989 to know whats worth labeling "obscene" and whats just worthless and UN-obscene.
Has anyone viewed the report yet? Is there a top ten list?

[the _lil_apricot_haired_girl]

this is just stoooo-pid!!!! Pathetic!!! thats all i gotta say about it :o)

[Kinsey]

What bothers me most is that the same people who are concerned about the prevalance of pornography are against the only thing that might reduce the demand for smut.

Sex education.

[Vandal]

Nick,

What was going on with the Priscilla's at 75th and Metcalf? I remember seeing that in the past driving by and you saying that reminded me that I haven't noticed it recently.

By the way I think it's hilarious that a Halloween store got busted for adult costumes...now I wonder if they were just risque ones like a naughty nurse or the sexy vampiress, or one of those unisex costumes of a giant penis?

[mike d]

f these stupid witch hunts. Its all BS. There is no way the county can win these cases if the stores contest them. Do you think this is Priscilla's first time getting indicted? Its a big fricking waste of taxpayers money. Once again, people who have no chance of getting laid ruin it for the rest.

[Sasquach]

There was a case in Florda a while back about a comic book creator made some "adult" comics that were only sold in 1 store. The book were kept under the counter so kids couldn't see them and were only sold to adults. An adult police officer bought 1 and they prosecuted both the shop and the creator for promoting obcenity. The creator was convicted and banned from possessing art supplies for 5 years.

My favorite quote from a 1st amendment court case relating to obcentity comes from a judge who said: "I can't tell you exactly what obscenity is, but I know it when I see it."

[JewwellsP]

Wow Nick, I didn't realize Priscilla’s were only in dilapidated communities.
Or should only be allowed in dilapidated communities.
Why is this so your neighbors won't see you?

These folks in the Grand Jury are prolly the same ones hanging out at city parks trying to pick up on each other. Since 95% or more of the vehicle tags are from JOCO. Makes a peson wonder what are they teaching you folks over there?

[JewwellsP]

Why is this so your neighbors won't see you?
Posted by: JewwellsP | Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 10:28 AM

I was just kidding by the way, beofre you get your feathers all in the air.

[John B]

This is what happens when you take Jesus out of porn

[Nick]

Nick,

What was going on with the Priscilla's at 75th and Metcalf? I remember seeing that in the past driving by and you saying that reminded me that I haven't noticed it recently. - Vandal

That Priscilla's was being run as a front for a drug operation. They finally got wise to it when hundreds of people would go in, but come out empty handed. Then they started getting robbed, but the robbers were leaving the cash bag behind, in plain sight.
They bulldozed it and turned it into a parking lot.

[TB]

I like it, this is what seperates Johnson County from the trash in Jackson county. That is why cities in Johnson County are on the yearly lists for best places to live.

[Beth]

Well I'm so annoyed with this story I called the DA's office to complain about the charges. I mean, when I tell people I'm originally Kansas I already get enough crap about Dorothy and Creationsim. Like I need to be embarrassed about this kind of nutball repressive morality too. Anyway, I'm thinking the poor guy in media relations will be having a liquid lunch today. And he did clarify that Puritan Kline didn't start this (he just better finish it by dismissing the charges, that's all I'm saying.)

[onetime]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and assume the people bringing these charges are the same folks that have their monthly scheduled sex, and have never strayed from the oh so routine missionary position. Nice and boring like.

[Sasquach]

There's a much easier way to keep porn stores out of Johnson County. It's called don't issue business liscenses in the first place. Then you don't have to trump up some crap charges like this to fix a mistake that could have been easy to prevent in the first place. Besides, I think most god fearing hippocrites get their porn from the net these days anyway. If only the same could be done with liquor and drugs...

[Grammar police]

Indictments are handed up. Judgments are handed down. The headline is grammatically incorrect.

[unnamed assailant]

TB want to explain why Jo-Co has a history of leading the city in wife swapping and swingers parties? Listen white bread, we are all the basically the same and have the same basic desires. Get off your high jo-co horse!

[onetime]

lol....I've never seen a horse high before.

[onetime]

I bet he'd want some porn though!

[Dickeylee]

I guess Jerry Johnson's wife can't be Elvira for Halloween this year...

[Jonathan]

OK, now I am mad. One of the counts is for Chrissy the COED cheerleader blowup doll. They need to leave my Chrissy alone!!! :)

[The DB]

"I like it, this is what seperates Johnson County from the trash in Jackson county. That is why cities in Johnson County are on the yearly lists for best places to live.

Posted by: TB | Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 10:58 AM"

TB, I had to think about this for a moment..and I will not lower myself with a comment as asinine as yours.

Proudly living in the 816.

[The DB]

I guess Jerry Johnson's wife can't be Elvira for Halloween this year...

Posted by: Dickeylee | Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 11:35 AM

Now *that* would scare me...