[Former Military Chick]

I will gather up a few other links to add to this thread as there is more to this story than just what is in this article.

I have mixed feelings on this young man. Many of you know I am tough on crime and demand tough punishment. But I do this always based on all the facts (available to me) and yet with this crime and this young man I have to wonder about the punishment.

I also have to say there are a lot of folks that should be held accountable for the actions of that night.

Whose credit card paid for the room? Hello, where were the parents, ahem, didn't they notice their kids missing at that time. Just irritated by the actions of many.

Before beloved left for Iraq this was one of the news topics we were discussing and he to had trouble with the punishment fitting the crime. With him in Iraq, I am without my sparring buddy, if you have the time I would love the discussion.

I have to say I am impressed by the remarks of the jury and it appears they did their job.

So, Wilson's lawyer is aggressively defending his client by taking this to the court of appeals.

I am also curious about other's thoughts on the Romeo and Juliet provision. Any thoughts? -FMC

* * * * * * * * * *

As for the Georgia Legislature, the bill which has a Romeo and Juliet provision which will prevent future types of cases like this one has passed the House and is pending in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I have been attending all of the hearings regularly, and testified before the Senate Judiciary. This year’s session only has 12 working days left. It is time for them to fix the law. I thank all of you for letting your voice be heard.

A decision from the Court of Appeals will not come on the same day of argument. Usually, it takes several months. I will update the website about how the argument went.

[Clemenza]

Go back to the old days, lower the age of consent to 14 (when most people are biologically post-pubescent) with the understanding that society is not to be financially responsible for any outcome.

Its sickens me how we prolong "childhood" in this country. It used to be very common for folks to get married in their teens, if they weren't going to college.

Flame away protectors of the 20th century social order.

[Past Your Eyes]

His parents should have to do some time just for naming him Genarlow.

[Lurker]

Sorry I don't think this is 'Romeo and Juliet."

I think it's statutory rape.

This creep belongs in jail.

L

[skaterboy]

The guys get records and the girls get nothing....What a pathetic joke

[Righter-than-Rush]

[trubluolyguy]

Sounds to me like she WAS too intoxicated to consent.

I do not generally believe that when two teens consent to participating in sexual relations with one another that one of them, usually the guy, should go to prison.

But I reiterate, sounds like she was too intoxicated to give consent.

[tallhappy]

Cry me a river.

[newzjunkey]

The mandatory sentence is extreme in this case. That he was convicted is not. I don't know if he knew the younger girl's age or not. Perhaps this is a case where "jury nullification" could've been useful.

[stylin19a]

Atlanta attorney B.J. Bernstein...

aw, it's just too easy

[EricT.]

Atlanta attorney B.J. Bernstein has filed Wilson's appeal.

What an inconvenient name for this case.

[westmichman]

I suppose that if everyone who was involved in a situation like this was in jail for ten years, there would be no room for criminals.

[andyk]

Even jurors frowned on the charge. "A bad law, absolutely," Manigault said.

So acquit, you idiot.

[Vicomte13]

Seems like a prosecutor didn't use the discretion that prosecutors are given in order to avoid cases like this.

And it seems like the jury should have practiced some jury nullification here.

[Williams]

Maybe I'm an old stick in the mud, but I find few things more disgusting than young women having sex with lots of guys, treating sex like it's a party game, etc. I've never understood this type of behavior, such as groupies lining up to have sex with band guys, and even having sex with the roadies. What the hell is that all about and what kind of people do it?

[Publius6961]

I know that it was consensual," he told "Primetime." "I wouldn't went on with the acts if it wasn't consensual. I'm not that kind of person.

WT?
Honor student??

[TheOracleAtLilac]

Can you spell jury nullification ?

There, I knew you could.

[Godebert]

This kid gets 10 years and Bill Clinton walks.......

[JCEccles]

The most appropriate remedy here would be a commutation of the sentence by the governor of Georgia.

Notwithstanding this peculiar case, these kinds of statutes do have a just and proper purpose, a purpose that most fair minded citizens would agree applies the factual scenarios that were contemplated by legislators when the statues were passed.

It would be foolish and misguided to jettison the application of the statute in all cases just because of this one case.

[speekinout]

Yes, the kid did a bad thing. But a lot of adults failed him and the others. Who rented the hotel room? If it wasn't an adult, the hotel manager was part of the problem. And why didn't the parents of a 15 year old girl know where she was going, and what that situation would be?

When kids this young think drinking and sex parties are ok, the adults have failed. IMO, the only question is whether we can do anything to redeem kids who were brought up with no values. I don't think jail does it, but what do we have?

[proud_yank]

Did someone mention something about 15 yr-olds and oral sex??