A disappointing reversal of fortune in the case of Genarlow Wilson, the Georgia man sentenced to 10 years in prison for a consensual (and videotaped) sexual encounter when he was a teenager. Wilson will remain behind bars until at least July 23rd, the date of a scheduled bond hearing.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Wilson learned Monday that his more than two years in prison were apparently coming to an end with the order by Monroe County Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Wilson. Within hours, however, state Attorney General Thurbert Baker filed notice that he would appeal the ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court, arguing the judge had overstepped his authority."
Wilson, 21, was convicted of aggravated child molestation for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17-years-old. CNN's legal analyst notes state law was later changed to make such cases a misdemeanor, "but that change wasn't made retroactive, so it did not affect Wilson."
"Normally an appeal takes months," says defense attorney B.J. Bernstein. "Even at an expedited level it is still going to take a while."
An unfortunate reminder of historical biases against black male defendants in the South, but, more is at issue than race. AG Thurbert Baker, in office since 1997, is Georgia's highest elected black official "and received more votes and a higher percentage than any other Democrat running statewide in 2006." Baker is a possible contender for the governor's office.
Atlanta blogger C. Baptiste Williams draws an interesting comparison to a similar case with a celebrity defendant: "It was five years ago today that a Cook County grand jury indicted R&B superstar R. Kelly on 21 counts of child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself engaging in sex acts with an underage girl. The girl [was] 14 years old when the tape of her and Kelly was made."
Wilson's Battle May Take Months [AJC]
Last Minute Appeal in Teen Sex Case [CNN]
Why R. Kelly Needs to Go to Court... [HisStory]
I heard it was with a white girl, and if this is true, we all know why he went to the clink to begin with, and R Kelly is able to walk free as she was a black girl who the system would not deem worth it and must already be promiscuous.. That said, this should be a lesson to all these kids getting their swirls on with underage "consenting" girls" and they videotaped it to boot? Keep it in your pants young men.I guess I'm just too old to figure out what this world is coming to.
Posted by: Mike | 12 June 2007 at 16:46
all three parties involved in the Wilson case were African American, as is the Attorney General.
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 12 June 2007 at 22:03
I live in Georgia, the Metro Atlanta area. Baker should've stayed out of this. Wilson has already served more time than he should've. He (Genarlow) had sex with a school mate. Wilson was seven-years-old and she (the alleged victim) was fifteen-years-old, at the time. What I found to be stupid is that they (the youths involved) videotaped their encounter.
In short, any dreams of becoming governor, by Baker, were dashed by his appeal of the Monroe County Superior Court Judge's decision.
Posted by: Dex123ter | 13 June 2007 at 07:18
10 years for "consensual oral sex". that's ridiculous to begin with. he's not innocent of the crime, but you'd think someone in a high position would have done something about this long ago.
they even changed the laws to 12 months maximum.
no prior criminal problems. good student. possibly headed to college on a football scholarship. yeah, that's the kind of person that needs to be locked up.....
and then the AG wants to keep him there longer to appeal the judges ruling? Did Georgia not already get enough negative attention for this case the first time?
Posted by: ff | 13 June 2007 at 08:01
Actually, a case like this makes Attorney General Baker much more popular with white voters. That's who he has to win if he wants to stay in office or go higher.
Posted by: caleb rexter | 13 June 2007 at 08:30
...this is just what happens when laws become more important than people...*SMH*
Posted by: yeahisaidit | 13 June 2007 at 10:45
Mr. Wilson and his buddies made a stupid mistake. The state of Georgia has a stupid streak which explains that stupid law. Attorney General Baker is a stupid over-seer, just as he would have been down in Georgia 160 years.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 13 June 2007 at 13:10
Yehisaidit, but Thurber will lose a lot of support in the Black community, I hope, for making this decision.
Posted by: Mad Professah | 14 June 2007 at 02:31