MEMPHIS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Memphis lawyer D. Beecher Smith II, who at one time represented Elvis Presley, has been sentenced to five years in prison on child pornography charges.
He blamed his venture into viewing child pornography on depression over his identical twin being put in prison for child molestation as well as his mother’s death and alcoholism, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Sunday.
"I am truly sorry," said Smith, 58, in a statement in court. "My fault lies in curiosity, I was lured to sites that featured pornography, and then I was lured to sites that featured child pornography."
U.S. District Court Judge Bernice Donald said numerous friends and family members sent letters on Smith's behalf, but added that viewing child pornography helps sustain a market for the exploitation of children.
"I will never be able to understand the actions of people convicted of these types of crimes," the judge said. "We're not talking about animated characters. These are real children who are being sexually exploited. These are not victimless crimes."
