Val Midwest Appeals 45-Day Jail Sentence

LINCOLN, Neb.—Shortly after her sentencing Friday on trespass and public nudity charges, adult performer Val Midwest filed a notice of appeal with the court, after which she was released on $75 bail, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. The sentence of 45 days was levied by Lancaster County Judge Thomas Fox, who was so obviously incensed by Midwest's actions in May—when she snuck onto the grounds of her former high school, Pius X, and shot some nude photos, which she then uploaded to the Web—that he even denied a request by her attorney that the sentence begin in January. In other words, ruled the compassionate judge, no Christmas for Val.

But Midwest and her lawyer had probably already planned to appeal the sentence, no matter what it was, and may even have anticipated that it would not be a "slap on the wrist," as the city attorney feared.

According to the Star, Midwest's attorney, Chad Wythers, who told the court that the entire episode had "operated as a deterrent" to his client, "didn't ask for a specific sentence, but argued that people convicted of first-offense DUI cause more risk to others 'than parading around naked,' and the most they get is a week in jail."

The city attorney, Christine Loseke, responded that anything less than having the proverbial book thrown at the defendant would be a travesty of justice. "I think she deserves jail for what she did," inveighed Loseke, reasoning that the 19-year-old had shown no remorse for her deeds.

Judge Fox was of similar mind. He "handed down the 30-day sentence for trespassing, plus 15 days for public nudity," reported the Star, "and said simply 'no' when asked if [Midwest] could report to jail in January. Dodds looked incredulous as a deputy walked up to handcuff her."

Nice people they have on the bench in Nebraska.

"With credit for good time," added the paper, "she will have to serve 30 days if her conviction and sentence is upheld."

Time will tell, of course, if the jerk quotient in the Nebraska courts extends to the judge who will hear the appeal, which now goes to Lancaster County District Court.