ALFRED, Maine (AP) _ Justice Nancy Mills on Friday dismissed 46 of 59 misdemeanor counts against Mark Strong Sr., a day after the state's highest court ruled the closed jury selection process had to be opened to the public.
Strong had pleaded not guilty to all of the counts, including conspiring with dance instructor Alexis Wright, who's accused of using her studio as a prostitution front.
Most of the dropped charges relate to invasion of privacy of people prosecutors say were prostitution clients videotaped without their knowledge.
Strong said he helped Wright launch her studio and had a physical relationship with her, but was unaware of any prostitution allegations.
MPBN's Patty Wight reported the district attorney asked Justice Mills to reconsider because defense didn't file motion in a timely manner.
Mills said both sides filed motions on Tuesday morning, and state is bringing this up for the first time.
State said it will appeal Mills' decision.
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