Videotape evidence tossed in Girls Gone Wild case
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-27 11:38 PANAMA CITY, Florida (AP)-
Hundreds of hours of videotape seized by deputies in their 2003 search of "Girls
Gone Wild" producer Joseph Francis' condominium cannot be used in court, a judge
ruled.
Circuit Judge Dedee Costello suppressed all evidence Tuesday gathered during
the searches. Defense attorneys argued the search warrants were not specific
about what deputies were looking for in the condominium.
Francis was arrested after two 17-year-old girls claimed a "Girls Gone Wild"
cameraman videotaped them in sexual situations. Authorities say Francis targeted
underage girls for his videos.
Deputies seized 700 items that formed the basis for most of the 42 charges
against Francis and his company. The case is set for trial this year, and
Francis, 33, could face decades in prison if convicted.
State Attorney Steve Meadows said he would have to wait until the order is
finalized to know how badly it would damage his case.
"The obvious strength of this case is that much of the illegal conduct
alleged is caught on videotape," he said.
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