Day 2 of Stamos Blackmail Trial
It’s day two of the extortion trial of local residents for allegedly targeting a popular actor.
John Stamos took the witness stand today in the federal trial of Marquette residents Allison Coss and Scott Sippola.
24-year-old Coss and 31-year-old Sippola are charged with three crimes, including conspiracy.
In court today, Stamos read through a long series of e–mail correspondence he had with Coss, as well as emails from a “Brian L.”, who was seeking to arrange payment from Stamos for allegedly compromising photos of the actor and Coss.
Stamos said he was too smart to get himself into a situation where compromising photos could be taken.
Coss and Sippola were arrested in December after they allegedly threatened to sell photos of Stamos unless he paid them $680,000.
A spokesman for the actor says there was nothing embarrassing about the photos.
In opening statements, prosecutors called the case a get-rich-quick scheme.
The defense said that while humans make mistakes, not all mistakes are illegal.
Employees of tabloid newspapers have also testified about being contacted by the defendants.
The trial is expected to continue for another day or two.
Our colleague reporters from the Mining Journal will help keep us, and you, up to date on the trial.