Despite the objections of the local county attorney, anti-porn activists reportedly intend to file a petition forcing a grand jury investigation of two adult retailers today.
Only 476 signatures are required to force a judge to summon a grand jury to investigate the two stores – Priscilla’s and Behind Closed Doors, both of Salina.
Saline County Attorney Ellen Mitchell wants the petitioners to hold off until the Kansas Supreme Court rules on a case later this year that could make it easier for the adult retailers to be prosecuted, pointing out that the cash strapped county would save money by doing so and still be able to file charges at a later date.
Petitioners intend to go ahead without the blessing of the prosecutor. “The more the courts see there are other counties concerned, they may take a more serious look at it,” Crystal Chenoweth, one of the petitioners, told the Salina Journal. “I think anything you believe in is good to fight for. We need to protect our community ethics and our morals and our children. “
“That outweighs any cost,” she added.
The organizer of the petition drive is Phil Cosby, head of Citizens for Strengthening Community Virtues (CFSCV), a group that successfully led a similar campaign last year against a Lion’s Den outlet in nearby Abilene.
The CFSV was assisted in the Lion’s Den case by the American Family Association.
A grand jury returned 29 counts of promoting obscenity against the Lion’s Den earlier this year. Pre-trial arguments are scheduled in that case for December 7.
