Man accused of secret videotaping is competent and will stand trial

WARREN -- Michael Santoriella, accused of secretly videotaping people in his home, is able to assist in his own defense and is, therefore, competent to stand trial, according to a report prepared by Dr. Nancy J. Huntsman, who was appointed by the court to evaluate the defendant.
The lawyer of the 47-year-old Hubbard man says they'll go forward with a trial; they won't seek another medical opinion.
The Masury Road S.E. man faces two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance and six counts of voyeurism.
If convicted, he would face up to 10 years in prison.
"It is very, very tough to be found legally insane," said Atty. George Kafantaris, who represents Santoriella.
The reports note Santoriella has suffered with panic disorders in the past. Kafantaris has said his client has been under psychiatric care for several years.
It has not been revealed why Santoriella, who works as a tow-motor driver for a local factory, decided to set up the video camera in his home.
The tapes date to 1997.
Santoriella had the camera in a bathroom and then would sometimes move it to videotape his stepsons in the basement, Kafantaris said.
One of the stepsons discovered the tapes last summer when he came home and saw the red light on the camera. He turned on the television and saw his image on the screen, authorities said.
Detective Mike Begeot said Hubbard Township police confiscated a camera and 130 tapes from Santoriella's home during a July 26 search.
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