Jury Recessed Until Monday In Trial Of Naked Harem Co-Owner

EL PASO, Texas — A jury will return to the county courthouse Monday to continue deliberations in the trial ofa former El Paso strip club owner.

The jury began deliberating about 2 p.m. Thursday but did not reach a verdict by the end of the day. The courthouse is closed Friday in observance of Juneteenth,a holiday thatcommemorates the emancipation of slaves in the United States.

Jeannie Coutta, the former co-owner of the Naked Harem strip club,said she didn’t know what the verdict will be but there is nothing more she or her defense team can do. Coutta is charged with promoting prostitution and engaging in criminal activity.

The defense rested Thursday after calling just two witnesses. After a break for lunch, the defense and prosecution presented closing arguments.

The defense argued that Coutta was unaware of any illegal activity in her club, including underage prostitution.

Coutta’s defense lawyerGary Hill said the underage girls gave valid IDs.

“How are they going to know if someone is a minor when they have valid identification?” Hill said.

Her defense lawyer also said this case is only about money and property.

He said the city just wanted the land the Naked Harem was on and “if they hadn’t owned that, we wouldn’t be here today.”

But a lawyer for the prosecution said Couttabroke the law and that’s why she is on trial.

“These people have been in business since the 80s. Do you think they don’t know what the law is?”

Coutta chose not to take the stand in her own defense.

“I just couldn’t decide whetherI was going to get on the stand or not, but Rick Lock is so mean and ugly, that was my deciding factor in not taking the stand. He just kept pointing his finger at me.”

Shewas visibly worried during a break from the action. “I’m nervous. I don’t know what people are going to think or whatever,” she said.