Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:53PM6 comments ›
Mon Apr 21, 2008 — by Van Jensen
Charges Against Gordon Lee Dropped
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund scores win in retailer case
A few months back, retailer Gordon Lee escaped prosecution when a mistrial was declared in the case against him for distributing obscene material. Today comes word the case won't be brought again.
The legal battle began in 2004 after an employee at Lee's comic book store accidentally gave a minor a sampler book containing a scene of Nick Bertozzi's The Salon, which included a naked Pablo Picasso.
The first trial against Lee, who was supported by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, was thrown out after the prosecuting attorney disobeyed the judge's instructions. The Rome News-Tribune offers this on the latest development:
The case filed against local comic book store owner Gordon Lee has been dismissed, according to Floyd County District Attorney Leigh Patterson.
Patterson said the case was dismissed after the district attorney met with Lee’s counsel and decided that a measure other than prosecution could be taken in resolving the case.
“He did a written apology to the victims in the case,” said Patterson.
Jump to comments (6)
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Comments (6)
mike weber (6:30 PM on Mon Apr 21, 2008)
If anyone deserves a written apology, it's Lee.
And his wasted four years back.
Failing that, the County Prosecutor's hide for a rug.
Alan Coil (7:09 PM on Mon Apr 21, 2008)
The final penalty is probably what should have happened years ago. All that time, energy, and money spent for no logical reason.
mike weber (11:52 PM on Mon Apr 21, 2008)
Sure there was a logical reason - kicking it around long enough that a lot of people sort of forgot about it made it less embarrassing to the County Prosecutor's office when they finally basically admitted they had no case and the charges should never have been brought in the first place.
Vinnie Bartilucci (10:11 AM on Tue Apr 22, 2008)
The "final penalty" is the first thing Gordon offered to do, and continued to offer it all along. The family refused the apology, the case was brought and the whole mess started. The Prosecutor spent god only knows how much tax money and eventually settled for what was offered all along, and they're spinning it as a triumph for the judicial system.
Russ Rogers (11:30 AM on Tue Apr 22, 2008)
A written apology seems like a fair and just settlement of this case. I just wonder why it took three and a half YEARS, extended legal proceedings with mistrials being declared and legal fees of over $80,000 dollars just on the defense side! I mean, wow! The defense had to have been fighting writing that apology pretty hard. How much money did the State have to invest just to get what that family deserved all along?
Obviously Floyd County District Attorney, Leigh Patterson, is noteworthy for her stewardship of the public trust.
District Attorney's Office
Leigh Patterson, District Attorney
3 Government Plaza, Suite 302
Rome, Georgia 30161
Phone: (706) 291-5210
I gave a call, but Ms. Patterson was busy. I left a respectful message, thanking her for dropping the charges against Gordon Lee.
LASNODIE (6:06 PM on Mon Apr 21, 2008)
ABOUT BLOODY TIME!!! THIS WHOLE TRIAL WAS B.S.