From Deseret News archives:

Sentencing postponed in Doll House case

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 1:15 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
A judge Monday postponed the sentencing of Santiago Steve Maese, who was convicted in July of several felonies related to running a prostitution ring, after his lawyer presented the judge and prosecutor with a 99-page legal document only minutes before his sentencing.

Defense attorney Gil Athay asked for a new hearing since he was filing a motion in arrest of judgment or, in the alternative, a motion for a new trial.

Athay said the document contains nine separate issues that would support his client's position that the court withhold judgment because of errors in the legal process or, alternatively, that Maese deserves a new trial.

Prosecutor Chad Platt objected to getting a "surprise motion" at the last minute and urged that the sentencing go forward.

However, 3rd District Judge Randall Skanchy set a new hearing date of Sept. 22. He said if the prosecutors need additional time to address what is in Athay's motion, that could be arranged through a telephone conference.

After a July trial and more than four hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Maese of four counts of exploiting a prostitute, a third-degree felony; and one count of a pattern of unlawful behavior, a second-degree felony. He was found not guilty of a money laundering charge.

Story continues below
Maese took the stand during the trial and said when he took on the Doll House escort service, he wanted to run a legal business that was all about "creating a fantasy" for clients. Maese said he had an attorney give presentations on what constituted legal conduct to the females who worked for the service, whom he characterized as independent contractors.

This latest motion says:

• The court made a mistake in not ruling on Maese's motion for a bill of particulars (written detailed information concerning the charges) before trial.

• The court also erred in not forcing the state to provide a bill of particulars.

• Maese's constitutional rights to a unanimous verdict were violated.

• The court erred in allowing one woman's testimony about being raped as evidence of a count of exploiting prostitution.

• The court should not have allowed four alternative theories for one count of pattern of unlawful activity when Maese was charged with only one count.

• The state's rules of evidence forbid the introduction of a letter written to the parents of a woman who had worked for the Doll House.

• Prosecutors used evidence at trial that had not been provided to Maese, which violates the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure.

• Actions and remarks made by the prosecutor "constitute prosecutorial misconduct" that "prejudiced the outcome of the trial."


E-mail: lindat@desnews.com

Recent comments

Looks like our County Attorney can waste more time prosecuting this...

What a Waste | Sept. 8, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.

Image
Paul Fraughton, Salt Lake Tribune/Pool

Santiago Steve Maese appears in court Monday.

previousnext

Latest comments

I was at the city council vote. I spoke before them and gave them my example...

There are a few out there who are "traditional" country. If you have a...

Animal rights group sues Morgan Co.

Let's consult the Constitution on this one: "Congress shall make no law...

I agree with one aspect of your rational, we are strange and "fair minded"....

I am a Ute fan, I am glad Whitt chose the U over you, however, I have to give...

Utes remain silent about BCS

in ewe clothing "Utah has about a 30% chance against TCU" 1:100 is 1%,...

The Utes are rather arrogant about the success they have once every 4 years....

I believe the worst place in the world to learn about Sex ed is in a...

Letters: Companies sold out

Our prosperity was built on cheap and widely available fuel. That's the...

Letters: Obama 'too busy'

Mr Obama has time to do what he considers important. Things like...

Advertisements
Advertisement