Obscenity case goes to jury

STAUNTON - The Staunton obscenity case is now in the hands of the jury following closing arguments earlier in the day.

The jury began deliberations around 2 p.m. following a lunch break.

The jury will determine whether or not Rick Krial, his store After Hours Video, and his employee, Tinsley W. Embrey, are guilty of breaking state obscenity laws in connection with selling two sexually explicts DVDs.

Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Robertson this morning tried to once again get into a description of a girl in one of the videos a witness described as having features more like that of a 12-year-old. Circuit Court Judge Thomas H. Wood again rebuffed the move, believing Robertson was once again trying to make the trial more about child pornography.

“If we interject that issue in this case, this case will be severely prejudiced,’’ Wood said.

With the defense opting to rest its case without calling any witnesses, Wood gave the jury instructions before U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Matthew Buzzelli began closing arguments on behalf of the prosecution.