Sports

Robert Kraft Scores Huge Victory In Prostitution Case

Among a Florida judge's rulings Monday was that the video evidence obtained via search warrant must be suppressed.

Robert Kraft and his legal team scored a major victory Monday.
Robert Kraft and his legal team scored a major victory Monday. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

A Florida judge on Monday granted Robert Kraft's motion to have the video evidence obtained in the prostitution case against him suppressed, a monumental victory that helped his high-profile legal team take a major step toward neutralizing the state's case against him. The ruling means the video, obtained via search warrant, that prosecutors said shows Kraft paying for and receiving sex acts at a spa in Jupiter, Fla., cannot be used at trial.

Judge Leonard Hanser ruled the warrant didn't meet particular criteria and authorities didn't follow proper procedure. Hanser also ruled that the Jan. 19 traffic stop of a vehicle Kraft was a passenger in was an unlawful search, essentially nullifying evidence from that search as well.

Kraft is scheduled for a May 21 trial date, but that may not come to fruition. While prosecutors could appeal the ruling or continue on with the case without using the evidence, some analysts were theorizing Monday evening prosecutors could drop the case.

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Kraft was charged in February along with about two dozen other men after a lengthy human trafficking sting. Prosecutors said Kraft twice visited Orchids of Asia Day Spa & Massage - once the day before and morning of the AFC Championship Game in January - and paid for sexual acts.

Kraft, who has apologized but not admitted guilt, faces two misdemeanor charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution.

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