(Update) Accused Stillwater Dominatrix Abandons Self-Representation, Hires Attorney

Editor's note: The comments from Joseph P. Tamburino were added at 2:20 p.m. after he returned Patch's phone call. 

Accused Stillwater dominatrix Kristal Ann Zimmerman followed the advice of Washington County District Court Judge Susan Miles by hiring an attorney on Dec. 21. 

Zimmerman—who is also known as Kristal Ann Taylor—filed a Certificate of Representation in Washington County court on Dec. 21, a day after she was chastised by Judge Miles for making a "muddle" of the case thus far. 

According to an account in the Pioneer Press, Miles said in open court on Dec. 20 the "muddle is largely of Ms. Taylor's doing."  

The Pioneer Press story also said Zimmerman told the judge she did not understand the magnitude of the case law and admitted to not following legal procedure correctly. 

Zimmerman's attorney, Joseph P. Tamburino, told Patch he filed a motion to reopen the hearing his client did while representing herself.

"Quite frankly she didn't know what she was doing," Tamburino said. "She wasn't able to argue effectively because she doesn't know the rules of evidence. It's like asking me to perform kidney surgery and I know nothing about kidney surgery whatsoever. I wouldn't even attempt it."   

According to a Washington County criminal complaint, Taylor allegedly charged up to $150 per hour for erotic massages and dominatrix services.

Zimmerman was arrested and charged in June 2011 with gross misdemeanor owning or operating a disorderly house.

The offense is usually categorized as a misdemeanor but due to the location of Zimmerman's alleged operation—near Stillwater Junior High School—city prosecutor John Magnuson is charging her with a gross misdemeanor.

Zimmerman is scheduled to appear at a motion hearing on Jan. 12, a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 24 and, if necessary, a jury trial on Feb. 13-14.