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Hidden restroom camera case to go to trial
By JEFF REINITZ, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- A judge has ruled that charges against an insurance agent accused of installing a hidden camera can proceed to trial.
The attorney for Robert Speirs had asked the court to throw out a charge of misdemeanor invasion of privacy.
An employee noticed the wireless camera in the women's room at the American Family Insurance office on La Porte Road in December, and police found a monitor and receiver in Speirs' desk, records state.
There was no evidence that photographs or videos were made, and state law doesn't make it illegal to attempt to view, photograph or film someone in a state of nudity without their knowledge where they have an expectation of privacy.
But District Associate Judge James Coil noted that Speirs --- while he didn't photograph or film -- had the capability to view people through the camera, and the question of whether or not he viewed people a state of undress would have to be resolved by a jury during trial.
He overruled the defense's motion to dismiss the case, and a June trial date was set.
Officers were initially unable to transmit images from the camera to the monitor until Speirs, who said he installed the camera because of concerns drugs were being used in the rest room explained that the camera needed a battery. After adding a battery, investigators were able to see the camera's view, which was described as "snowy."
The camera angle looked up and over the front of the toilet seat, records state.
Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.
The attorney for Robert Speirs had asked the court to throw out a charge of misdemeanor invasion of privacy.
An employee noticed the wireless camera in the women's room at the American Family Insurance office on La Porte Road in December, and police found a monitor and receiver in Speirs' desk, records state.
There was no evidence that photographs or videos were made, and state law doesn't make it illegal to attempt to view, photograph or film someone in a state of nudity without their knowledge where they have an expectation of privacy.
But District Associate Judge James Coil noted that Speirs --- while he didn't photograph or film -- had the capability to view people through the camera, and the question of whether or not he viewed people a state of undress would have to be resolved by a jury during trial.
He overruled the defense's motion to dismiss the case, and a June trial date was set.
Officers were initially unable to transmit images from the camera to the monitor until Speirs, who said he installed the camera because of concerns drugs were being used in the rest room explained that the camera needed a battery. After adding a battery, investigators were able to see the camera's view, which was described as "snowy."
The camera angle looked up and over the front of the toilet seat, records state.
Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.
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