The much delayed trial of Rome, Georgia comic book retailer Gordon Lee, which was set to go to trial yesterday, will be delayed again after the trial judge in the case was unable to preside due to illness. The case is likely to be postponed until November.
Charles Brownstein, executive director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit organization that monitors First Amendment rights in the comics community and that is also coordinating Lee's defense, said, "Obviously we're disappointed, but we understand that this kind of delay is nobody's fault and unavoidable."
Lee is charged with distributing comics material with nonsexual nudity to two minors during a promotional event at his comics shop in 2004. He contends the distribution to minors was inadvertent. He faces penalties of a year in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
