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Robert Kraft won't appear in Palm Beach County court Tuesday, 'calendar call' hearing canceled

Posted at 2:08 PM, May 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-21 11:44:44-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Attorneys for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft appeared in Palm Beach County court Monday afternoon for a status hearing in his high-profile prostitution case.

Judge Leonard Hanser canceled a "calendar call" hearing for Tuesday, which Kraft had been ordered to attend. The purpose of that hearing was to determine if prosecutors and the defense were ready to go to trial.

That means Kraft will not appear in court Tuesday.

The Jupiter Police Department said Kraft, who's pleaded not guilty,was recorded receiving an illegal sex act from a masseuse at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiteron Jan. 19.

Last week, Judge Hanser ruled that surveillance video of Kraft inside a private massage room at the spa cannot be admissible as evidence at trial.Prosecutors said they plan to appeal Judge Hanser's decision.

RELATED: How 'sneak-and-peek' cameras were installed in Kraft case | Inside an illicit massage parlor

Kraft is charged with soliciting another to commit prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $5,000 penalty, and a mandatory 100 hours of community service.

In February, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder announced the results of an eight-month investigation, which he said uncovered prostitution operations at five day spas from Jupiter to Hobe Sound.

According to Snyder, the spas involved were:

  • Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter
  • Cove Day Spa in Stuart
  • Therapy Spa in Stuart
  • Bridge Day Spa in Hobe Sound
  • Sequoia Apple Day Spa in Hobe Sound