By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Opening statements began Wednesday in the pandering obscenity trial of an Anderson Township couple accused of selling adult videos by mail.

Officials contend Alan Dute, 61, and his wife, Jennifer Dute, 32, ran a mail-order business, A&J Specialties, from their home.

Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Bradley Greenberg told jurors, "These two defendants acted together and sold videos together."

The state contends the videos violate community standards.

One of the videos, according to court testimony, makes fun of Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis, a staunch pornography foe.

The couple's attorneys, H. Louis Sirkin and Jennifer Kinsley, told jurors the Dutes did nothing wrong.

"These people sell the videos only to adults. ... It does not appeal to a morbid and shameful interest in sex. It appeals to a normal interest in sex," he said.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com