Stagliano Trial Jury Selected

WASHINGTON — The jury was seated in the obscenity trial of John Stagliano on Monday, with opening arguments in the case set to begin tomorrow at 10:45 a.m.

The racial make-up of the jury is 10 blacks and two whites, with the gender lines breaking down to five men and seven women.

Two alternate jurors were also seated, a white man and a black woman.

Judge Richard J. Leon also told the defense team that he was not going to allow them to show the jury the entirety of the two films in question, totaling five-and-a-half hours of footage.

Leon indicated he would give them a more substantial ruling, including his reasoning, about the defense’s motion soon, but that he didn’t want the defense to make promises to the jury in their opening arguments that they would not be able to keep.

“I didn’t want you to get caught by surprise,” Leon said to the defense team.

Defense attorney H. Louis Sirkin told the judge he would like to enter an objection on the record to the judge’s decision.

Prosecutors have indicated they intend to show the jury approximately half-an-hour of footage from each film, "Milk Nymphos" and "Storm Squirters 2," plus the eight-minute trailer to "Fetish Fanatic 5."

Leon said he will permit the defense to play portions of the two films not shown by the prosecutors, but in terms of how much and which portions, he has not yet ruled.

Before excusing the jury around 5 p.m., Leon admonished them not to talk to anyone about the case, or, under threat of contempt of court, to read or listen to any media accounts about the trial.

After the jury was excused, lead prosecutor Pamela Stever Satterfield asked Leon if tomorrow, as part of his instructions to the jury, he would explain and instruct them on the Miller test of obscenity. Leon said he would not, although he likely will in his final instructions to them before they deliberate on the case.

Throughout the afternoon's court session, 14 potential jurors were excused in pre-emptive challenges by the defense and prosecutors.

During pre-emptive challenges, lawyers do not need to provide a reason for striking a potential juror. Two men, one white and one black, were excused as potential jurors, as were seven black women and five white women.

In the afternoon session seated in the audience of the courtroom was the director of "Storm Squirters 2," Joey Silvera, industry attorney J.D. Obenberger as well as John Stagliano’s wife, Karen Stagliano.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Report: Aylo to Implement Age Verification in EU

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, according to a report by German tech news site Netzpolitik.

Missouri Lawmaker Attempts to Revive 'Health Warnings' for Adult Sites

A Missouri state representative has introduced a bill that would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged physical, mental, and social harms associated with pornography, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

Ruling: Italy's 'Porn Tax' Applies to All Content Creators

Italy’s tax revenue agency has ruled that the nation’s 25% “ethical tax” on income generated from adult content applies even to smaller independent online content creators.

Proposed New Hampshire AV Bill Appears to Violate Constitution

A bill in the New Hampshire state legislature, aimed at requiring adult sites to age-verify users in that state, contains a provision that seemingly contradicts the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution.

Online Child Protection Hearing to Include Federal AV Bill

A House subcommittee will hold a hearing next week on a slate of bills aimed at protecting minors online, including the SCREEN Act, which would make site-based age verification of users seeking to access adult content federal law.

FSC Announces 2025 Board of Directors Election Nominees

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has announced the nominees for its 2025 Board of Directors election.

Canada Exempts Online Adult Content From 'CanCon' Quotas

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has updated its broadcasting regulatory policies, exempting streaming adult content from “made in Canada” requirements that apply to other online material.

Creator Law Firm 'OnlyFirm' Launches

Entertainment attorney Alex Lonstein has officially launched OnlyFirm.com for creators.

German Court Puts Pornhub, YouPorn 'Network Ban' on Hold

The Administrative Court of Düsseldorf has temporarily blocked the State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LfM) from forcing telecom providers to cut off access to Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn.

FSC: NC Law Invalidating Model Contracts Takes Effect December 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued a notice that North Carolina's Prevent Exploitation of Women and Minors Act goes into effect on December 1.

Show More