PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A Palm Beach County judge has ruled surveillance video that allegedly shows New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft receiving a sex act at a Jupiter day spa cannot be released.
Police said Kraft solicited sex at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida in January. He's pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution.
At a hearing earlier this month, Kraft's attorneys asked Judge Leonard Hanser to seal videos of Kraft from public view.
Defense attorney William Burck argued the release of the footage would hurt Kraft’s right to a fair trial.
Attorneys representing media organizations said sealing the video would be a violation of Florida's Sunshine Law, or public records law, which could hurt future cases.
Hanser ruled Tuesday the video cannot be released — for now.
READ THE JUDGE'S RULING:
"The defendant's right to a fair trial requires the disputed videotape be withheld from Intervenors for a limited duration," Hanser's ruling read. "...preventing access at this time to the videotapes sought by the Intervenors is necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the administration of justice."
"The Court finds restricting the videotapes from the Intervenors pretrial would protect Defendant's fair trial rights."
Hanser said the surveillance video cannot be released unless the case goes to trial, a plea deal is reached, the State drops charges against Kraft, or if the Court finds Kraft's fair trial rights are no longer at risk.
On Monday, the
Orchids of Asia Day Spa worker accused of performing an illegal sex act on Kraft
was arrested.
