Bondage Parlor Owner Sentenced To Six Month in Prison
The owner of what authorities said was San Diego's only known sadamasochistic massage partor was sentenced yesterday to six months in the county jail for operating a house of ill fame. Municipal Judge Earl K. Adams imposed the term on Betty Jean Drayner, 36, but ordered a probation report to determine if modification of the sentence was in order. Deputy District Attorney tarry A. Burns told the seven-woman five-man jury that the parlor—then located at 4961 University Ave. (it has since been closed)—was a place where "abnormal sexual activity took place, where sick people came to have sick things done to them." Burns introduced into evidence a number of articles described as torture devices, including various types of whips, chains, leather straps and stocks similar to the type formerly used to put offenders on public display. Drayner testified she was offering her clients a form of psychological therapy and that a number of her clients had been referred to her by area psychologists and psychiatrists. However, Burns pointed out that no such doctor was ever called to testify in her behalf. Detective Harvey Seagraves testified that he went to the parlor and heard sounds of straps striking flesh and heard moans and screams emanating from rooms in the establishment. Defense attorney Nicholas DePento asked Adams to postpone sentencing in the case until Drayner and her husband, Eric, were sentenced formally in connection with a 1978 conspiracy conviction and soliciting the assault of a vice squad detective. The Drayners face a five-year state prison for that offense. DePento said sentence is expected about Feb. 15. The execution of that sentence was delayed when the Drayners appealed a trial court ruling that allowed a series of tape recordings into evidence that dealt with the solicitation to assault charge. The appeal was denied and returned to the Superior Court to order the start of the prison term. In another court action scheduled tentatively to start Monday, Betty Jean Drayner is seeking $3 million in damages from the county and a former sheriff's deputy alleging he beat her. May 8, 1975. San Diego Union Submitted by "Richard" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LeatherPeople |