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| Edward Bagley (mug shot LCSO) |
A federal judge in Kansas City has ruled that lawyers for a Missouri couple accused of sexual slavery may call an expert to explain bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism to jurors.
But in his ruling Friday, U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple also said the expert, who is a lawyer who is an active participant in the BDSM lifestyle, won't be allowed to discuss whether acts allegedly committed by the couple conform to norms in the BDSM community.
Edward and Marilyn Bagley are charged with keeping a "mentally defeciant" young woman as a sex slave in their home near Lebanon.
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| Some of the abuse allegedly took place inside this trailer |
The federal indictment alleges that the now 26 year-old woman was sexually abused and tortured for several years and forced to work as an exotic dancer at local strip clubs and give the money she earned to Edward Bagley.
It appears that being electrocuted is what saved the woman's life because she was taken to a local hospital when she became unresponsive.
Four men have already pleaded guilty to taking part in the torture and sexual abuse of the woman.
Prosecutors say what might be considered normal for BDSM practitioners is irrelevant in the case. They contend the young woman was tortured without her consent.
The bottom line of the trial is going to come down to whether or not jurors believe a "mentally deficient" woman is cognizant enough to understand to what she was consenting to.
But Ed Bagley's lawyer Susan Dill says jurors will need some understanding of the tenets of BDSM to decide if consent was granted. Whipple agreed, “Many potential jurors will likely have little knowledge about BDSM,” Whipple wrote.
Whipple asked Bagley's Dill if she planned to introduce graphic photograph's and video's at the trial. "Yes," she said. She even speculated that potential jurors could include several BDSM adherents. That raised another issue for the judge.
His response....."Jesus."
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