In Springfield, MO an adult video store owner successfully appealed prior rulings of guilt in three counts of second degree obscenity promotion.

Robert Crump Jr., owner of Midnight Video, was convicted last year of selling pornographic videos in an area of the state where that is illegal. The business had suffered prior accusations of selling illegal material which caused an investigation to be launched during which informants were sent into the store to purchase the allegedly obscene materials.

By verbally promoting the sale of these items, Crump would have been guilty; however, as was indicated in the Appellate process, the explicit nature of the videos sold was never specified. As there was no documentation proving the videos were obscene, the appeal was won and a new trial has been issued.