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Judge: Public Can See, Not Publish, 'D.C. Madam' Photos

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By MARK DOUGLAS

News Channel 8

Published: August 16, 2008

CLEARWATER - A judge ruled Friday that it's OK to see but not publish crime scene photos from the Tarpon Springs mobile home park where the woman known as the "D.C. Madam" hanged herself.

"While the photographs are public record and should be able to be reviewed ... they should not be able to be duplicated or published," Circuit Judge Linda R. Allen said in her ruling.

The decision followed a hearing on a motion by the mother of Deborah Jeane Palfrey to prevent release of the photos to news organizations. Palfrey committed suicide May 1 in a shed at the mobile home park where her mother lived.

The death came two weeks after Palfrey's conviction on federal charges related to a prostitution operation in Washington.

Palfrey's mother, Blanche Elizabeth Palfrey, 76, wept as she expressed gratitude after the ruling was reached.

Testifying Friday, Palfrey said: "This is the last thing I can do for my daughter. Please don't let these pictures get out in public."

Allen instructed Tarpon Springs police to allow anyone who requests a viewing to see and touch the photos but not to copy, publish or broadcast them. They will be available once the investigation into the death is complete.

Scott Brockew, a Tarpon Springs detective in charge of the investigation, testified Friday that the investigation should wrap up "in the near future."

Allen said it was important for her to balance the privacy rights of the Palfrey family with the public's right to know. Her decision falls in line with a ruling over crime scene photos following the Gainesville serial killings in August 1990. Danny Rolling was put to death for those crimes in 2006.

News organizations asked under Florida's public records law to inspect the photographs, a request opposed by Palfrey as a violation of her privacy. She filed a lawsuit against Tarpon Springs to prevent release of the photos.

Quoting Florida's public records laws, Palfrey's lawsuit says the crime scene photos may not be displayed for any commercial or advertising interest "unless the photographs are used as part of a bona fide news report or presentation having a legitimate public interest."

Her attorney, Serbo C. Simeoni of Safety Harbor, concludes, "The only media or public interest in these photographs stems from a morbid exploitation by some members of the media."

Palfrey had to be helped from the witness stand Friday after breaking down in sobs during testimony about finding her daughter's body.

Allen declared a break just before 11:30 a.m. so she could review in private the 288 photos.

On April 15, a federal jury convicted Deborah Palfrey of money laundering, using the mail system for illegal purposes and racketeering. She reportedly made more than $2 million operating a prostitution service.

Palfrey was free and awaiting sentencing, which was scheduled for July 24. Known as "Miz Julia" to her employees - and as the "D.C. Madam" during her trial - she faced a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.

The pursuit of Palfrey's conviction exposed several high-level Washington officials as clients, most notably Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana.

Palfrey had said her escort service, Pamela Martin & Associates, was a legitimate business offering sexual fantasies, not a prostitution service. She said that if any of the women had sex for money, they did so without her knowledge.

Reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (727) 536-9603 or MDouglas@WFLA.com.

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