Ira Isaacs
Encyclopedia
Ira Isaacs is an American
film director
and self-described "shock artist."
.
Isaacs does business as Stolen Car Films, LA Media and scatmovies.com, according to the United States Department of Justice
(USDOJ).
on federal obscenity
charges for videos featuring scatology
and bestiality. At issue were three allegedly obscene films sold between May 2004 and October 2006: Gang Bang Horse "Pony Sex Game," Mako's First Time Scat, Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 7, and BAE 20 (also titled Avantgarde Extreme). The prosecution alleged that the films are obscene, and have no artistic merit. Isaacs claimed the films have both artistic and political value.
The USDOJ Obscenity Prosecution Task Force
initiated prosecution on this case. The Bush administration formed the task force to investigate pornography at the urging of social conservative groups. Jury selection began Monday, June 9, 2008. On June 11, it was discovered that the judge presiding over the case, Alex Kozinski
, had posted controversial material to his own website, prompting the suspension of the case. Kozinski declared a mistrial on June 13.
. Isaac's motion was heard on September 8, 2008. Isaacs lost that hearing in the lower court and appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. On December 22, 2009 the 9th Circuit decided against the artist's bid for his double jeopardy motion. On June 28, 2010 the Supreme Court of the United States
denied hearing Isaacs' double jeopardy motion.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and self-described "shock artist."
Life and career
Isaacs was born in The South Bronx and attended Taft High SchoolWilliam Howard Taft High School (New York City)
William Howard Taft High School was a high school in Southwest section of the Bronx, New York City.The school was operated by the New York City Department of Education....
.
Isaacs does business as Stolen Car Films, LA Media and scatmovies.com, according to the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
(USDOJ).
2008 Trial
In 2008 Isaacs was brought to trial in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
on federal obscenity
Obscenity
An obscenity is any statement or act which strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time, is a profanity, or is otherwise taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting, or is especially inauspicious...
charges for videos featuring scatology
Scatology
In medicine and biology, scatology or coprology is the study of feces.Scatological studies allow one to determine a wide range of biological information about a creature, including its diet , healthiness, and diseases such as tapeworms. The word derives from the Greek σκώρ In medicine and biology,...
and bestiality. At issue were three allegedly obscene films sold between May 2004 and October 2006: Gang Bang Horse "Pony Sex Game," Mako's First Time Scat, Hollywood Scat Amateurs No. 7, and BAE 20 (also titled Avantgarde Extreme). The prosecution alleged that the films are obscene, and have no artistic merit. Isaacs claimed the films have both artistic and political value.
The USDOJ Obscenity Prosecution Task Force
Obscenity Prosecution Task Force
The Obscenity Prosecution Task Force was an organization created in 2005 by the United States Department of Justice. The OPTF's job was to investigate and prosecute producers and distributors of hardcore pornography that meets the test for obscenity, as defined by the Supreme Court of the United...
initiated prosecution on this case. The Bush administration formed the task force to investigate pornography at the urging of social conservative groups. Jury selection began Monday, June 9, 2008. On June 11, it was discovered that the judge presiding over the case, Alex Kozinski
Alex Kozinski
Alex Kozinski is Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, an essayist, and a judicial commentator.-Biography:...
, had posted controversial material to his own website, prompting the suspension of the case. Kozinski declared a mistrial on June 13.
Double Jeopardy Motion
The Department of Justice filed to retry Isaacs on the same charges which prompted Isaacs to file a motion on double jeopardyDouble jeopardy
Double jeopardy is a procedural defense that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same, or similar charges following a legitimate acquittal or conviction...
. Isaac's motion was heard on September 8, 2008. Isaacs lost that hearing in the lower court and appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. On December 22, 2009 the 9th Circuit decided against the artist's bid for his double jeopardy motion. On June 28, 2010 the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
denied hearing Isaacs' double jeopardy motion.