OLYMPIA, Wash. — A man admitted to hiding a video camera and recording people undress at an Olympia theater, but he believes he is not guilty of voyeurism.
Joe Sartori was in court Thursday accused of voyeurism.
Sartori was an office worker at Olympia’s Capital Playhouse, where he put a hidden camera in the actors’ dressing room and bathroom to see if janitors were getting their work done.
According to a defense attorney, to find someone guilty of voyeurism, prosecutors have to prove the act was done for sexual gratification. Sartori said that is not why he hid the camera.
“At the time it seemed like a logical idea,” Sartori said in court.
After being asked if he had intent to videotape naked people, Sartori said, “No, I did not.”
During the trial, Sartori said he recorded images of people undressing and using the bathroom.
According to prosecutors, Sartori was specifically trying to record a particular actress.
Sartori’s attorney said he was not guilty of voyeurism because he did not continue to make and view the videos for the purpose of sexual arousal, but instead he was depressed and was simply trying to feel something.
“I look back on it now, and think it was foolish,” Sartori said.
Sartori started to explain his actions when the judge stopped for the day, and he is expected to complete his testimony this week.
KIRO
