Well, it looks like Brian Bates has made it through his preliminary hearing, where he is fighting charges of pandering. Unfortunately, for him, the judge decided that there was probable cause for Bates case to go to trial.

Instead of Bates fighting prostitution, the prostitutes are fighting him...through the judicial system...the same system that keeps getting them put in jail.

http://newsok.com/article/1526766/?template=news/main

Looks like Brian Bates is closer to being cooked. He has been bound over for trial.

Any thoughts on this?

Of course Bates will probably cry now that the prostitutes are coming out now in full force to revenge what Bates did to them over the years. Personally, I think Bates needs to do some time.

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"Prostitute tells jury of 'video vigilante'


By Ty McMahan
The Oklahoman

An admitted prostitute told a judge Tuesday she was paid to act in videos produced by a man who claims to be clearing Oklahoma City's streets of lewd acts.
Renee McCullough said she was given between $40 and $60 to set "johns" up to be caught on tape by the self-proclaimed "video vigilante," Thomas Brian Bates.

Her testimony came during a preliminary hearing for Bates, 35, who is charged with pandering.

Bates has produced videos that show men engaging in sex acts with prostitutes, claiming his intentions were to reveal the men and women in an attempt to deter further acts of prostitution.

McCullough said Bates agreed he would not turn her into police and would pay her an amount determined by the footage's quality.

She said videos had to show her and the john having sex in order for her to be paid.

Scott Adams, Bates' attorney, said the charges imply Bates was procuring women for prostitution, but he also said Bates never accepted any money from prostitutes or arranged any clients for them.

"They haven't come close to proving that he is probably a pimp," Adams said during the hearing.

Adams argued his client is simply a journalist trying to expose crime. He said the prostitutes Bates recorded planned to engage in the sex acts without encouragement and his client should not be accused of aiding any crime of prostitution.

Oklahoma County District Judge Gregory J. Ryan decided probable cause exists for Bates' case to go to trial.

"We're going to let the evidence speak for itself and let a jury decide," said Debra Forshee, spokeswoman for Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane.

Forshee said McCullough signed a cooperative agreement with the district attorney's office granting her immunity for any criminal act she committed related to Bates' case. McCullough said she is not currently working as a prostitute.

McCullough testified Bates originally gave her the impression that he would help her get off the streets and leave the profession of prostitution. She said he actually encouraged her work and suggested arrangements and locations for her to take her clients. She also said he approached her about appearing on a "Girls Gone Wild" video.

McCullough was asked if she ever assaulted Bates when he tried to film her and a john and answered, "I plead the Fifth." Her response drew laughter from onlookers and prompted the judge to ask people in the courtroom to behave in a more serious manner.

Bates' trial is scheduled Aug. 3. "

Very interesting. It looks like Brian is getting deeper and deeper. The "sisters" are foaming at the mouth, I bet.

City woman requests police investigate 'video vigilante'


By Josh Rabe
The Oklahoman

Police are investigating complaints that self-proclaimed "video vigilante" Thomas Brian Bates may be trying to intimidate a known prostitute expected to testify against him.
Renee McCullough, who testified against Bates during a June 14 preliminary hearing, told police Sunday he has been following her and videotaping her for several days, according to a police report. McCullough said he has been waiting outside a motel room where she conducts "business."

Bates, 35, has been charged with five counts of pandering and appeared in court last week for a pretrial conference. A trial has been set for Jan. 9.

Bates has spent nearly 10 years videotaping acts of prostitution in what he claims is an effort to expose and eliminate prostitution from the city's streets.

During Bates' preliminary hearing, McCullogh testified he paid her for footage of sex acts with "johns," encouraged her to engage in prostitution and suggested locations where she could take clients.

McCullough said Bates is trying to intimidate her to prevent her from testifying at the trial.

"I know that is taken very seriously in this office," said Debra Forshee, spokeswoman for District Attorney Wes Lane.

Forshee said prosecutors had not heard of the allegations and could not pursue additional charges against Bates until a police investigation is completed.

Bates is sick. He's been in trouble now with the law, and he still continues taping.

Bates is sick. He's been in trouble now with the law, and he still continues taping.
He just doesn't give up. Doesn't he realize that he is still in the spotlight, and that others are watching him? Forget the trial....just save the expense and throw him in jail.