Wilkening Ordered to Stand Trial on 18 Counts in Call-Girl Case

Karen Wilkening was ordered Friday to stand trial on 18 counts of pimping and pandering in connection with a call-girl operation that catered to some prominent San Diegans.

Ten counts of pimping and pandering were dismissed at the conclusion of the four-day preliminary hearing by San Diego Municipal Judge Lisa Guy-Schall. The dismissed counts include those involving witnesses who failed to show up, including two counts involving civil attorney Wesley Harris.

Harris, 56, was hospitalized early Friday for high blood pressure on the eve of his testimony about his contact with Wilkening, 43. Harris failed to show up Tuesday or Wednesday in response to a subpoena, and a $5,000 warrant was issued for his arrest. He showed up Thursday afternoon with his attorney, Nelson Brav, but was not called to testify.

In the Hospital

On Friday morning, Brav informed the court that Harris had to be hospitalized before the start of proceedings. He said Harris’ doctor feared that his client might suffer a stroke or a heart attack if required to testify about his dealings with Wilkening.

The claim prompted a dubious Guy-Schall to confer with Harris’ doctor, but she later declared in court that the sudden illness appeared to be real.

Before Friday’s hearing, Harris wrote a series of rambling letters to the district attorney’s office, asking that he not be required to testify in public, claiming “my reputation will be ruined and my family will be embarrassed.” Harris also claimed he had information that could embarrass the district attorney’s office--information that might affect Dist. Atty. Edwin Miller’s reelection bid.

His letter also stated that the list of Wilkening’s customers had been “sanitized” to omit the names of judges, police officers and members of the media, and that the action against Wilkening is designed to embarrass attorneys.

The civil law specialist also wrote a page titled “personal beliefs of Wesley Harris,” in which he promoted legalized prostitution, claiming that it reduces rape.

Guy-Schall, who commented in court that part of Harris’ letter could be construed as extortion, scheduled a contempt of court hearing for the attorney on Tuesday because of his failure to appear as a witness on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also testifying Friday was Jeffrey Benter, who said Wilkening arranged for him to have sex with women whom he paid $100.

National City car dealer Tony McCune testified Wednesday that he was a customer of the call-girl ring. In addition, a tape played in court identified “I Love Lucy” star Desi Arnaz as a Wilkening client. Arnaz died in 1986.

A trial date will be set at Wilkening’s arraignment June 16.

In another court action, a preliminary hearing on charges that Wilkening conspired to obstruct justice is scheduled for Wednesday. The charges stem from her flight to the Philippines to avoid prosecution on the pimping and pandering charges.

Her former defense lawyer, Buford Wiley Jr., is also charged with aiding her flight before a 1987 preliminary hearing.

Wilkening is being held in jail on both cases in lieu of $4 million bail.