State v. Hunt

660 S.W.2d 513, 1983 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 417
CourtCourt of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee
DecidedJuly 14, 1983
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 660 S.W.2d 513 (State v. Hunt) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Hunt, 660 S.W.2d 513, 1983 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 417 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1983).

Opinions

OPINION

TATUM, Judge.

This is a case under the present Tennessee obscenity statutes (T.C.A. § 39-6-1101, et seq.). The first indictment, B-82306, charged the defendant Lucy M. Hunt in two separate counts with knowing distribution of two obscene films — a film entitled “Virgin Ass” and an untitled color film depicting other sexual conduct. Guess What, Inc., was charged in two additional counts of that indictment with knowing possession with the intent to distribute the above-mentioned films. Defendant Hunt was convicted of both of these counts and was sentenced to 60 days in jail on each count. Defendant Guess What, Inc., was convicted of both counts and was fined $15,-000.00 on each count. However, the record reflects that these two films were sold in a single transaction, so the trial judge merged the two convictions against each defendant. Hence, only one judgment was entered against each defendant under indictment B-82306.

Defendant Hunt was charged in another indictment, B-82307, of knowing distribution of two additional obscene films, “Breakfast in Bed” and “Orange Blossom Summer.” The distribution of these films was charged in separate counts. Hunt was also charged with the knowing distribution of an obscene magazine, “Shaved Dolls” in another count of the indictment. Defendant Guess What, Inc., was charged in separate counts of knowing possession with the intent to distribute obscene material which were the above-mentioned films and magazine. The jury found both defendants not guilty regarding the film “Breakfast in Bed” and the magazine “Shaved Dolls.” However, both defendants were found guilty of their respective charges relating to “Orange Blossom Summer.” As a result, Hunt was sentenced to 60 days in jail and Guess What, Inc., was fined $15,000.00.

In another indictment, B-82316, Hunt was charged and found guilty of distributing an obscene magazine, “No. 1 Prive.” She was sentenced on that charge to 60 days in jail. Guess What, Inc., was convicted in another count of possession with intent to distribute that magazine and fined $15,000.00. Both defendants were found to be not guilty to charges in a fourth indictment, B-82305. As to the punishment imposed, all of Hunt's sentences were to run concurrently. The fines imposed against Guess What, Inc., were imposed cumulatively on each indictment which resulted in a total fine of $45,000.00. The convictions [516]*516under each indictment represented separate sales.

In the first issue, the defendants state that the trial court erred in charging the jury with T.C.A. § 39-6-1117. The defendants state that this jury charge negated testimony of a defense expert witness who testified concerning the scientific value of the material.

The expert was Dr. Eugene E. Levitt, a clinical psychologist who is the director of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Indiana School of Medicine. It appears that he also practices clinical psychology. Dr. Levitt testified that he had viewed the materials for which the defendants were convicted of distributing. He testified that similar materials are prescribed in treating persons with “sexual dis-function.” This type material sexually stimulates these patients. He also testified that similar material was sometimes used in teaching human sexuality to undergraduate college students at Indiana University. This material was useful in demonstrating sexual activity to the students. The films and magazines demonstrated sexual intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus, oral sexual activity, masturbation, homosexual female sexuality, and other activities.

The witness testified that such explicit materials would best be used for educational purposes under the supervision of a teacher and that treatment of patients with such materials should be “in a clinical setting with control.” Dr. Levitt testified that he would classify nothing as obscene that is found in an adult bookstore or in a private home, or at any other place where “no one needs to go.” He emphasized that the material had scientific value for the treatment of sexual disorders and in teaching courses in human sexuality.

T.C.A. § 39-6-1117, of which the defendants complain, was charged to the jury, is as follows:

“39-6-1117. Persons and institutions exempt from provisions. — There shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
(1)Any public library which is entirely or partially supported by public funds;
(2) Any recognized and established educational institutions and the libraries therein;
(3) Any recognized and established museum;
(4) Any recognized and established historical society;
(5) Any licensed practitioner of the healing arts, medical clinic or hospital while engaged in a professional capacity;
(6) Any governmental agency;
(7) Any governmental sponsored organization;
(8) Any other nonprofit association or entity which is engaged in the collection and preservation of historic or religious documents; and
(9) Any person, employee or agent acting in an official capacity for such organization.”

The defendants insist that since the materials were purchased in their adult bookstore, and that they did not claim an exemption under T.C.A. § 39-6-1117, that the code section should not have been charged. We find that the testimony of Dr. Levitt warranted the charge. The use made of similar materials by Dr. Levitt for education and scientific purposes was authorized by subsections (2) and (5) of the exemption statute. It was relevant for the jury to be apprised that the scientific uses postulated by Dr. Levitt were given specific protection from prosecution. This instruction provided an appropriate guideline for the jury in examining whether the material had protected uses or whether their sale was unprotected “commercial exploitation of obscene material.” See Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, 93 S.Ct. 2607, 37 L.Ed.2d 419 (1973). The instruction in no way impeached the veracity of the testimony of Dr. Levitt; it did no more than fully acquaint the jury with the law of the case. There is no merit in this issue.

The defendants next complain that the trial judge improperly refused to instruct the jury in accordance with their special request number 14. This issue was waived because it was not included in the [517]*517defendants’ motion for a new trial. State v. Simerly, 612 S.W.2d 196 (Tenn.Cr.App. 1980); State v. Pennington, 573 S.W.2d 755 (Tenn.Cr.App.1978); Rule 36(a), T.R.A.P.

The defendants assert that the definition of obscenity under T.C.A.

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State v. Electroplating, Inc.
990 S.W.2d 211 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 1998)
State v. Rollins
785 S.W.2d 129 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 1989)
State v. Pendergrass
795 S.W.2d 150 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 1989)
State v. Dodson
780 S.W.2d 778 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 1989)
State v. Martin
719 S.W.2d 522 (Tennessee Supreme Court, 1986)
State v. Summers
692 S.W.2d 439 (Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 1985)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
660 S.W.2d 513, 1983 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 417, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-hunt-tenncrimapp-1983.