It didn’t matter that the archaic Georgia law says it’s only a misdemeanor for teens less than three years apart in age to have intercourse, but a felony if oral sex is involved.
All McDade and Barker wanted – still want, actually – is for Wilson to admit to something that he didn’t do, want him to admit to being something that he clearly is not.
The Georgia authorities treated this situation as if it was a case of pedophilia rather than a case of two high school kids doing something stupid. And while the jury did convict Wilson on the charge of aggravated child molestation, they were unaware that the penalty for this conviction was a mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison without any hope for parole.
So by now you can figure out all the rest.
There has been outrage in some quarters in Georgia and a few people are working incredibly hard to get this travesty straightened out. But there hasn’t been enough outrage and there hasn’t been enough action to get this kid out of jail.
And in an act of – I don’t know what to call it, “ironic cruelty” perhaps – the state legislature changed the law that put Wilson in jail precisely because of his plight but didn’t make it retroactive so that it would apply to him. So while McDade and Barker won’t be able to prosecute any other kids for engaging in consensual oral sex, this doesn’t help Wilson any.
And despite the fact that the authorities in Douglas County have the power to vacate this conviction – despite the overwhelming reasons to do so – they have done nothing.
If you have kids, know kids, or were once a kid, this story should make you sick. As Thompson points out, the system that should protect kids like Wilson instead ruined his life. This can’t be allowed.
Somerset Maugham wrote, “The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willingly avoids the sight of distress.” However, in Genarlow Wilson’s case, we need to keep up this “recital of misfortune” in the hopes that one day soon he will be free.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
E-Ticket stories are consistently kickass.
2 - sal m
here is a link to the online petition
free genarlow wilson
3 - Becky
The problem is not only the ego of a stupid mean prosecutor, but the fact that juries are not informed of their right of nullification.
Hopefully, now with all the attention this guy will get some more than deserved justice.
~Becky
4 - JannaR
What I want to know is...why didn't they arrest & imprison the young trollop for prostitution? She might not have asked money for her services, but for being allowed to be present at the party.
5 - kayla jarchow
All I want to know is did eric johnson receive oral sex when he was a teen? Did he consider it rape? Or is he jealous because he has yet to receive it? Okay, How can he call it rape when, upon being judged by a jury of his peers he was not even close to being considered a rapist. What a creep. FREE Genarlow!!!!
6 - nada
She is just a dirty whore and finally realized it about herself when she realized it was on video. She couldnt handle that about herself and had to blame it on someone. She is a loose slut that will give it up to anyone, but because there is evidence of that now, she had to rush and blame it on someone before her mommy and obviously distant daddy found out. What whores, those girls.
7 - Nicole
Genarlow Wilson did not deserve that punishment. Yes indeed he was guilty of the crime and maybe he should be punished for comitting such an act but 1o Years is tooooo extttrrreeemmee!!! Personaly I feel that color has alot to do with this injustice act. People claim that they are trying to protect the younger generation but if you look at the case closer you are actually hurting and destroying the future of the younger generation. Plus, now in days, in highshcool the age of your peers ranges from 14-19 which means you might meet someone and lets say the person lies about there age. Then before you know it you and that person have sex. Who's to blame? You or the other person involved that lied about there age.
8 - Billl Lundquist
And when they let him out he will be a great candidate to add to the Minnesota Vikings team. They need a player like Genarlow.
9 - TS
I have seen the actual tape off what happened that night. If anyone on this board has seen it and does NOT think that he raped someone needs to examine their life. It is a horrific video and the kid belongs in jail!
10 - joshua's law
"And when they let him out he will be a great candidate to add to the Minnesota Vikings team. They need a player like Genarlow." That's not true in georgia because everyone must do the joshua's law course.