Lawyer in prostitution case: protection order 'draconian'

The lawyer for a Thomaston man charged in connection with a Kennebunk prostitution investigation is opposing the state's motion for a protection order, calling the proposed order "draconian," "overly protective," and "unwarranted and unprecedented."The state's motion for a protective order would effectively seal indefinitely all records in the case against Strong, which includes an alleged list of more than 100 clients.Daniel Lilley, representing Mark Strong Sr., 57, of Thomaston, filed his opposition to the state's motion for a protective order in York County Superior Court on Sept. 27. The motion was entered into the court file Monday.
"In its proposed protective order, the State is requesting, in essence, an absolute and unconditional gag order in this case," Lilley states in a letter addressing his opposition. "The State has provided absolutely no compelling reason why such a draconian order is warranted in this single-count misdemeanor case."Strong was charged in July with promoting prostitution. His charge followed a police investigation and search of the Pura Vida Studio on Route 1 and a nearby office space in Kennebunk, as well as the Wells home of Alexis Wright, who operated the businesses.Zaggsparq Charger Batteries For iPhone, iPad, iAnything.Wright has not been charged.
The York County Coast Star and the Portland Press Herald on Friday jointly filed an objection to the state's proposed protection order, objecting to both the scope of the proposed order as well as the reasons given for it."The State has not explained why the alternatives to closure, including jury selection, jury instructions, sequestration, and (if necessary) change of venue are inadequate to ensure a fair trial. In addition, the defendant opposes confidentiality," said attorney Sigmund Schutz of the Portland firm Preti Flaherty, who filed a letter objecting to the state's motion on the newspapers' behalf. "The State has not explained what particular information raises privacy concerns or how such concerns outweigh the public interest in open criminal proceedings.""As journalists we take very seriously our role in championing the public's right to have access to legal proceedings and court documents," said Coast Star Editor Laura Dolce. "This case has generated huge interest in the region, yet much of the investigation and nearly all of the materials related to it have been kept under a cloak of secrecy for months now. We felt it was time to make our objections known."