UPDATED: Local blogger Just Cara gives some kudos to the DA's office for dropping one of the obscenity cases ... but hopes one of the businesses goes to trial over this.
PREVIOUSLY: The obscenity charge has been dropped against Spirit Halloween, which moved a few racy costumes to a different part of the store, where little people couldn't see them.
Two other businesses, though, have pleaded not guilty and look like they're going to fight the charges. Hollywood At Home, accused of selling dirty movies, says it'll use a First Amendment defense. Snip from Diane Carroll's article:
(Defense Attorney Richard) Bryant has said that no one from Hollywood at Home was allowed to address the grand jury either.
As soon as the grand jury was convened, Bryant said, the store’s owners invited police to walk through the store to make sure they were in compliance with the law.
However, no officers ever took up the offer, made before any indictments were issued, he said.
Grand juries are not required to hear both sides of a case.
