The arraignment hearing for Lion’s Den Adult Superstore scheduled for today has been postponed until late next month.
A grand jury indicted Lion’s Den on April 1 on 29 counts of promoting obscenity, based on the sale of various adult novelties, including major brand name items that can be found at most adult stores in America.
“We’re being represented by Michael Murray and I’m sure you’re aware of his reputation. I think we’ll prevail,” Jim Everret, assistant to the president of the Lion’s Den chain, told AVN.com.
Murray is a veteran First Amendment lawyer who, among other accomplishments, defended Reuben Sturman on obscenity charges in the ‘80s.
Everett declined to comment on the reason for the arraignment’s delay, but did indicate that on June 30, the new date for the arraignment, the store will enter a not guilty plea.
Each of the 29 counts alleges that from October 28, 2003, and continuing to the present day, the store “knowingly, recklessly and unlawfully is engaged in promoting obscenity.…”
The promotion of obscenity – which, under Kansas law includes the sale and promotion of adult novelties – is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to one year in jail.
That means the 29 counts could translate into 29 years in jail and/or fines of up to $72,500 if the owners are convicted on all counts, though even if found guilty on all counts, sentencing guidelines would likely result in a lesser sentence.
In related news, the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle reports that a lawyer from the American Family Association, a fundamentalist group with a national outreach, will be at the Dickinson County Planning Board tonight to answer any questions the board may have as they undertake drafting a resolution that would regulate adult businesses.
The Lion’s Den case began last October when local activists, advised by the AFA, petitioned the district attorney for a grand jury to establish if Lion’s Den sold obscene items or not.
