The question of whether the surveillance video containing images of Patriots owner Robert Kraft engaged in sexual activities has been the subject of more litigation than most NFL scandals in recent memory. As for the video in question, the “know it when you see it” test remains moot, because for now no one will be seeing it.
Via ESPN.com, on Monday a Florida judge again blocked the public release of the secretly-generated videos showing Kraft and 24 others charged with solicitation of prostitution at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida.
Monday's decision apparently arose from a request on April 18 by spa owner Lei Wang, who is also charged with prostitution, to hold the Palm Beach County state attorney’s office and the Jupiter police in contempt of court due to reports that the Kraft video was being offered for sale.
The judge presiding over the charges pending against Kraft has ruled that the video shall remain secret until a jury is sworn in at the trial of his case, the charges against him are dismissed, or a plea agreement is entered.
As the ESPN article explains, the plea deal offered to Kraft in March would result in the video being permanently being sealed; however, he would have to admit as part of the dismissal of the charges that a trial would have resulted in a conviction.
Kraft is presumably holding off on the deal because any admission of guilt would result in a suspension and other punishment from the league. However, there is precedent from players who have been suspended even without a guilty verdict.
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