Talk of the Town

By james

February 26, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

common sense dictates he be freed.

the problem with mandatory sentences is it precludes common sense.

By Kevin

February 26, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Yes!!! How many children would be in jail today if we applied this this law equally?

By MDE

February 26, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I had thought it thought it to be a simple case of youthful exuberance until I saw the videotape. There was another girl in the story who claimed to be raped by these boys and the video seems to back up her story. All the other boys pleaded guilty…..hmmm….I don’t think the whole truth has really come out about this story.

By caron gruben

February 26, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

This law defintely needs to be changed. When something like this is a mandatory sentence it becomes aburd. this is a total miscarriage of justice and a waste of a good life behind bars.

We need to do something to free this man.

By Jacob

February 26, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

Over half of teens ages 15 - 19 have engaged in oral sex. If you believe justice was done in the Genarlow Wilson case, be prepared to send over half of all teens in the country to jail for ten years. Even the white ones. Anyone on the blog who is comfortable disclosing this information, post weather or not you’d be in jail if held to the same definition of justice as Genarlow Wilson was. I would.

By brooksdawgs

February 26, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

This kid should have never went to prison, it was two high school kids who were at a party and it was unfortunate they were stupid enough to record it. This was consensual among two people. In my opinion if he went to prison she should have as well.

Free him now

By Bobby

February 26, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Absolutely! Set him free!

Honestly, this is a travesty of justice!

By famucancer

February 26, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Genarlow, as well as the other teens should never have been charged in the first place. However, after reading that email from Rep. Dan Lakly, I think he should be charged with being an idiot. My God, he is stupid.

By Dee

February 26, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

YES!! Without a doubt!!!!!!!!!!!

By mark

February 26, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

If it was consensual I think he should be set free. If he was 27 then I would agree to put him in prison. There are bigger things to worry about than a 17 year old horny kid having consensual oral sex from an equally horny 15 year old!!!

By Yeah_Boy

February 26, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

This is absolutely crazy. He did what just about every 17 year old boy would do. There were 14 year old girls that were more mature than me at 18.

Don’t feel like you are a bad person Genarlow, you’re not. Those who will not allow this stupid law to change should go to jail. They were TWO years apart!!

By Deidre

February 26, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Yes he should be released!!!!!!!!! Without a doubt they should not continue to keep him in prison.

By David Rodgers

February 26, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

This is just not right. It’s not like he was 10 or 20 years older than the girl, and it was consensual. He shouldn’t be in prison at ALL!

By ConLaw

February 26, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

The law in question is too broad in scope and unjustly puts people like this young man in prison for doing acts that most parents would prefer in comparison with regular sexual intercourse. This guy wasn’t out raping anyone or molesting little children, and the state has wasted time and money in prosecuting this boy who once had a promising future, including being a student-athlete in college, and only prosecuted him in this manner, not the only boys who were also involved with the same acts in the same night with the same girl. He refused to plead guilty and take a lesser sentence because the restrictions on sex offenders wouldn’t allow him to live with his sister. Genarlow is no sex offender, but those who prosecuted him as such are offenders of another kind. Nobody is suffering from this act besides the boys involved, and none more than Genarlow. The girl engaged in the act willingly, and it can be inferred this was not something new to her, yet only the boys are brought to trial? One young man is spending most of his young adult life in prison because of a poorly written law that hurts more than it helps. I wonder if charges would have been brought had both parties been white, instead of the girl being white and Genarlow not. Lawmakers should be embarassed by this and should work quickly to correct these glaring flaws.

By keith

February 26, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Yes, he should be free….this is a young man in his between stages of life….not yet a man, his friends are all in high school, and still a boi regarding his socical surroundings and conditions….the law was/is missued this case on hundreds of other when you have teenage boys and girls who age that close together.

By Brenda W. Arbuckle

February 26, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

If Mr. Wilson is freed let’s free those men who are in jail for having sex with minors who told them they were of legal consent age? If Mr. Wilson is freed let’s free all rapist/molestors.

By Free Him

February 26, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

This is an absolute tragedy. There is no way he should be in jail!! He did nothing more than what most teens are doing today.

By Becky

February 26, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Yes, this young man should be released.Does anyone in that courtroom not remember back to when they were 15 & 17?

By Stacey

February 26, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Of course he should be freed. I bet that most American men have had some type of consensual sex with someone who was not yet of age while they were around 16 or 17 as well. The sentence is just outrageous for a 17 year old boy. What does the girl get? After, all the sex was consensual. Perhaps there should be laws for fast girls as well. Perhaps a specific age should be stipulated on how old the boy should be before he is required to serve a 10 year sentence. Maybe he should be given community service or counseling, but 10 years! There are some people who have committed murders that haven’t gotten that many years.

By RJ

February 26, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

These outdated laws need to be changed NOW! If a 15 year old can go to school with a 17 year old, then what do we expect to happen? There is no difference between the two and to take away a kids life for something this minor is absolutely ridiculous! I hope that some Georgia politician wakes up and gets real! I’m becoming more and more embarrassed to be a Georgian!

By Eve

February 26, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Mr. Wilson should definitely set free. Millions of teens engage in the sexual act of which he was convicted. Their should be exceptions to all laws. Why should a teen who had sex with another teen have to serve jail time and live with the stigma of sex offender for the rest of their lives just like a 60 year old who molests a child. That is not the same offense lawmakers! If we the public can see that then why can’t the people who make these laws. I have a 15 year old son and I talk to him on a daily basis about these issues and pray that he NEVER gets caught up in this type of situation.

By B

February 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

He should absolutely be freed. This is the dumbest waste of a life I have ever seen. It just shows how backwards we still are here in the south.

And as for MDE, if he’s guilty of rape, then prosecute him and convict him of rape. That is not why he is in prison. The girl admitted it was consensual. You don’t hold someone prisoner for one thing because you think he’s guilty of another.

By Nikita

February 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

When will we realize that if the teens are consensual it is not rape? The legislators need to get back to the intent of the laws that they create. You cannot keep punishing teens for being teenagers. This is getting ridiculous.

By Bonnie

February 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

I belive that he should get a sentence but none of that amount. When you think about it the girl was still to young to be with someone who is about to be 18.He know what he was doing.

By MM

February 26, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

ONCE AGAIN… This law has affected our African American society… First was Marcus Dixon now this young gentleman. Can we see what is the penalty for the young ladies. Living in the ALPHARETTA area, you have young girls that sit in the back of the movie theatre having oral sex with young boys ALL THE TIME… but not once have I seen them arrested (I’m sure if one is black that might change). If we could make both teenagers be held accountable then I could see justice, but in both cases you are referring to young white girls… this sickens me… And for you people in Peachtree City .. you need to call Dan Lakly to the carpet.. How would he like it if one of his 4 sons and grandsons was put in this position? Would he be a punk? I’m glad I’m not in his district because this morning he would have to apologize for his remarks !!!!

By Doug

February 26, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

He should absolutely serve his time. All of the others involved plead guilty and took their punishment like men.Wilson decided to take his chance with a jury and lost. The video clearly shows that the activities that night were not all consensual. This issue is not a race issue but a issue of protection for our children. The legal basis of statutory rape laws and child is that children lack the capacity to make an informed consent. These predators on young women are primarily responsible for many of the teen pregnancies. He should do the full time.

By vernice scott

February 26, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Yes, he should be freed. This is a typical incident that happens between teenagers who are curious about sex. This was not a rape case. The state needs to be more definitive when writing and passing laws.

By DivaLady

February 26, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Yes he should be freed. If not, everybody needs to go to jail who has had sex before the age of 18 or 21. I mean people act like they don’t remember being teenagers and if the girl’s parents were worried they should have kept her home. Kids will do what kids do and what do you expect with teenagers at a party? Cake and ice cream yeah right.

Free him now!

By John Vaughn

February 26, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Dont blame the politicians. No one caused a stink before this law passed. This is a good law that was interpreted poorly. Clearly there was evidence that the general public did not see. Did a jury of 12 all vote guilty? Do you believe they did not know what the penalty was before they voted guilty? He should not be in prison, but dont blame the judge, he was following LAW. We would have a problem if a judge was able to use judgement on a case to case basis. The jury should be blamed.

By sam

February 26, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

hah I’d probably be in jail. I remember some kid at my highschool got caught gettin head lol for some reason I saw him at school after his suspension. and yeah this was in GA

By momma

February 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

This should have never happened. This is the typical case of our african American men being put behind bares unjusticely. He should be freed and he should be paid to get back on the right track of his life, what a waste that the system has created. We should be marching downtown to the capital for this.

By Torpedo

February 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Yes!! he should be freed, he fell into the same loophole old school law just like the one we used to have here in Georgia that prohibited oral sex as a whole. If that law was applied, the judge, the prosecutor and 80% or more of Georgia would be in in prison.

By JC

February 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Holier than thou once again! What is wrong with you people?? This person should have NEVER been in jail. That’s what is wrong with the south. Too many hypocrites

By PJ

February 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Of course he should be free. I, like every other teenage girl, was totally into older (like high school seniors) guys. What is worse is that when this guy gets out, if his conviction is upheld, is that he will be considered a sex offender for the rest of his life and subject to all of the rules and restrictions that go along with that title. A normal teenage act will affect this boy for the rest of his life.

By GaNative

February 26, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I quote Brenda W. Arbuckle, “If Mr. Wilson is freed let’s free those men who are in jail for having sex with minors who told them they were of legal consent age? If Mr. Wilson is freed let’s free all rapist/molestors.”

Can you belive the analogy she’s making? Is this woman allowed to vote? What a fugging idiot.

By Male

February 26, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I was not going to comment on this but I felt compelled to do so. This is not justice this is extreme. Basically it is a senior having sex with a sophmore in high school. I am sure most people reading this article was in a situation like this or at least know someone in a situation like this. The only difference is it was not recorded. Where is Oprah when you need her.

By Lock 'em all up

February 26, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe there are so many people riled up about this case. If the sex was completely consensual, why did the 15 year old go to the cops? Genarlow is an idiot, and the rest of you are enablers with the “boys will be boys” crap.

If you participate in a gangbang on a semiconscious girl you better be ready to take a plea bargain, or face the harsh sentence.

By momma

February 26, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

To Brenda W. Arbuckle, you must definitely be white, but think about how many of you end up with African American’s for spouses and live a wonderful life. Wake up to reality and don’t look at the color but if it were your own son.

By Jackie Reid

February 26, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Yes, I experience something simlar to that with my daughter. She okay the for the relationship. Two years is not a big deal. Can you imagine how many people will be lock up. He should be freed teens are going to be teens.

By Torpedo

February 26, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

TO BRENDA,

I AM SURE YOU HAD SOME SORT OF ORAL SEX ENCOUNTER BEFORE, REALITY CHECK!! THERE WAS A LAW LIKE WILSON’S THAT MADE THAT ILLEGAL? SHOULD YOU BE IN JAIL WITH THE REST OF THE RAPISTS? GET REAL!! THERE IS A VIDEO THAT SHOWS NO RAPE, HOW MANY OF THE RAPISTS YOU TALK ABOUT HAVE THAT PROOF?

By Crystal

February 26, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

No, he should not be in prison and the state of Georgia needs to step up and do something about it.

Crystal

By marcus

February 26, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

How many teenage white boys are in jail in georgia for this crime?

By jean burse

February 26, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

I think this young man should be freed because if the young lady didn’t want to have sex withhim, she should have said no. She wanted him and as bad as he wanted, and they enjoyed themselves, it’s probably after she got caught, poo-poo hit the fan.

putting him in jail deosn’t help or solve the issue, they both should have been counseled about the dangers of pre martial sex.

By sunny

February 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

What about her, she should be in jail to He didn’t rape her, I agree with Jacob every teen today should be arrested BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT A LOT OF TEENS ARE INTO (Oral Sex)……….He should be set FREE

By ann

February 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Only in the South - free this young man!!!

By help this guy NOW

February 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

this is crazy to keep this young man in jail. zero sense!!!!!!!!!

By James

February 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Huge consideration needs to be made in accordance to what happpened. In this case the people involved had sex with each others approval. How can we put a kid in jail for this? Many people have said this many times already…but how many of us would be in jail right now for doing the same thing except we didnt get caught? I know this goes for alot of crimes…but come on….

By KA

February 26, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Yes FREE him NOW!!!!!!!

By john

February 26, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

we have to teach these kids to think!!! Sex has it’s consequences. If the parents won’t teach them about what can happen then maybe the law should. The parents of both of them should take some reponsability and the girl isn’t innocent of her actions either. He should be in jail for atleast some time.

By TDub

February 26, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Genarlow should be freed. The sex was consensual. PERIOD. That’s all that needs to be said. And to answer the poster named Lock ‘em all up: The 15 year old didn’t go to the cops. Her mother did. The better question should be: Why was she at a hotel party at 2am? I live in Douglasville and there is a 12am curfew for teens under 16. If anyone needs to be blamed it’s the mother of the 15 year old girl. The only reason she called the cops was she was angry and also to spare her daughter the embarrassment of going to school the following Monday morning of everyone knowing what SHE participated in at the party!

The mother of the 15 year old even said that Genarlow shouldn’t have gotten 10 years! Now what does that tell you?

By reginald

February 26, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Yes, he should be freed. It is ridiculous, that he is serving ten years, when convicted rapist have gotten out after 3-4 tears. They were both teenagers doing what, unfortunately teenagers do, but that should not be a reason to put him in jail in this case. Let him go!

By Linwood Allwright

February 26, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

It’s a shame that in today’s day and age, sensible citizens feel that Genarlow Wilson should be in prison. I saw the video tape and I didn’t not see any forceable act being committed. Why is the female in this case allowed to remain free, when she took part in the act just as the young man in this case did. The State of Georgia MUST change this law or we will see hundreds more of our young people incarcerated. The desire to have sex, albeit oral or intercourse is natural and to send a child to prison for 10 years for acting on this God-given desire is pathetic at best.

By Birsen

February 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

This is the most observed thing I have ever heard, you won’t put a rapist or a killer to a prison because of unfair trial or whatever b****** is out there to get them, and you are worried about an adolescence that is just being adolescence. It is so unfair for this person to suffer and lose 10 years of his life just because he was action out his age. There are real dangerous people out there that needs to be locked in for life, yet you are punishing some one who hasn’t even committed a crime. Sometimes, the law just doesn’t do justice.

By Johnnie

February 26, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

He should be free. It doesn’t matter what race you are, most all YOUNGER teens indulge in oral sex. At least, they are not indulging in intercourse and having babies all the time. (Some of them don’t know where to draw the line anyway) LET HIM GO!!!! Rape is another whole ball of wax than consensual oral sex.

By William H Lundy

February 26, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Absolutely, he SHOULD be freed; he has served enough time already.

By LiterateWoman

February 26, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

If you are going to comment, please get the facts straight. The 15-year old did not report anything to the police. The 17-year old young lady that Genarlow was taped having sex with is the one that reported that she thought she had been raped. Based on the evidence found on the tape he was acquitted of rape, however, as one juror said, they were not told that they could find him not guilty on the sex with a minor charge. They went by the letter of the law and found him guilty. In fact, the 15-year old did say the sex was consensual. Please read the story in today’s AJC where the juror explains how and why they made their decision.

By nosense

February 26, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I have always believed the law should be changed to make allowances for the differences in age. There is a world of difference in a 17 year old having sex with a 15 year old, and a 47 year old having sex with a 15 year old. Why the courts and legislator’s can’t see that is beyond me. Lock up the true predators forever, but dang it, leave the kids alone! Why can’t the law read the same, but exempt anyone under the age of 18 who is within 2 or 3 years of age with their consensual partner?

By Motorcyclist

February 26, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

The sad part is that he would have simply gotten probation if he had shot her.

Laws and law makers like this are sick. They are more afraid of consensual sex then violence.

By Proud to be from Georgia

February 26, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

To Brenda W. Arbuckle and Ga. Native, Shut Tha H* Up! If can’t relate to the problem with our Black Men, “Shut Up!”

By GaNative

February 26, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Lock em all up, seems to me like the girl lacked some paying attention to parental advice to go to to party and get semi-unconsciously. he got more time for tasting the lap pie than he would have if he’d banged her. What da hell was this 15 year old girl doing in a hotel room? Teenagers don’t go to hotels to pray or inspect the carpet.

By VICTORIA

February 26, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Of course, he should be freed for the fact that the girl consented to it. Moreover, they were both under the age of eighteen. If it had been a rape issue then, the age would not matter; he would have to take responsibility for his action. I believe the judge should reconsider the case.

By db

February 26, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Lock ‘em all up, did you read the story. You should before you commment. The 15 year old did not go to the cops the other girl did. After she had been drinking and woke up the next morning in bed. the tape showed that she was not raped and that it was a willing participant. After reveiwing the tape they discover the girl. she has along said she wasn’t rape. I am the first to disagree with that ” boys will just be boys” but she was being a girl and she brought it to them, they did not go out looking for it. This is crazy a young man is sitting in jail because a red neck want to play God. The DA have stated over and over if he just admit to rape he will set him free. Why should he? He didn’t rape her. the truth be know the DA has raped him out of what could have been a prospect life. I don’t like playing the race card but we all know if this would have been a black female and a white male, or a white female and male, we would not be having this conversation. Be honest with yourself. But justice will be served in the end. I am a strong believer, what goes around will come back around. Be careful how you treat people. It make seem like a joke now but watch who gets the last laugh.

By cathy

February 26, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

I emailed some of the legislators and the governor about this; these people need to stop acting like they can’t do anything about this; if it were their family, this would have never happened. free this young man. An adult woman in the same area slept with a teenager and received 90 days; that is real child molestation; she is free and this young man for having consenual sex with someone around his age is doing hard time; what is going on in the world?

By Breezmom

February 26, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

This young mang should be freed from prison. There’s a difference in a criminal act and a stupid one. “Lock ‘em all up” is a simple minded person that obviously has never made a mistake. The young lady was probably embarassed about being taped and thus sought justification by going to the police. Yes, both were stupid, but both were children without guidance. I’m sure that all of us have found ourselves in situations that looked & felt stupid after the fact. Remember, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

By Spiritraveller

February 26, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

David McDade is the one who ought to be in prison.

This is institutionalized racism.

Even this white guy can see that.

By William

February 26, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

There are some on this board who are saying he did the crime so do the time.

You people do not know the facts of this case.

The girl that he was with never went to the police. She was neither forced or drunk when she performed. She voluntarily went to him and started and finished said act.

Wilson was convicted for this. There was another girl there that claimed rape by multiple people and it was caught on tape. Wilson was not involved in that alleged crime.

For all of the facts read this: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=wilson

If you don’t know the facts don’t act like you do.

This kid is spending 10 years in jail because he did not bow down to the county prosecutor. Pretty simple.

By TC

February 26, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree with madatory minimum sentences under any circumstance. It appears that Genarlow Wilson may have been prosecuted as a “do over” because he was implicated in a prior rape and the police did not have enough evidence to make the case. I think he should be freed because it is unjust to prosecute only male teenagers for consensual sex, what about the female?

By Ted

February 26, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

I have one question,,, what department in the goverment does the girls parents work in ? I think this should be looked into.

Just a fast story so you can understand what Im getting at.

I use to fight alot when I was a kid, Got into a fight one time with a cops son, well I did not know it was a cops son but when he put his hand on my girlfriend it didnot matter, the funny thing is all the fights I ever been in got throwed out of court because 2 kids fighting no big deal,, however because this fight was with a cops son and he got the worst end of the deal I had to go to court and be delt with. The guy was 2 years older, touched my girlfriend but I still got in trouble. Did this have anything to do with it being a cops son >?

Like I said , someone needs to look into what department the girls parents work into, i think you will find they are in some part of the gov. that has some input in that area of the law.

By TShell

February 26, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

The thing that bothers me is that we have teachers having sex with their students getting less time than this kid. He was a senior she was a sophmore this happens everyday. And she said that it was consensual.

By doorknob

February 26, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

A 17 year old male consenting to oral sex with a 15 year old female!!! Who would of thought!!

By Jackie

February 26, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

One has to wonder how the DA came to this decision. I wonder what would have happened if his child were involved? It seems that the government is increasingly encroaching upon our rights. Where does it stop. If we remember the truism “…first the came for the …(fill in the blanks), then they came for you, but, there was no one left to care.”

By T

February 26, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

FREE HIM! This is insane.

By Ernesto

February 26, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

A know brainer,let him out before you graduate a real criminal.

By Brian

February 26, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

I want to see the video so I can make an informed decision. Can anyone get it and post it or tell me where I can get it?

By Jonathan

February 26, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Of course Genarlow Wilson should be freed, he should have never been prosecuted in the first place! What a terrible miscarriage of injustice. This D.A. is an idiot! This is just another example of our legislators and supposed “leaders” run amuk! Unfortunately, unless “we the people” don’t stand up and start getting rid of these bums with the ballot box, these types of things will continue to happen and these types of “common sense out the window” laws will continue to exist. Please tell me….When does the revolution begin?

By The Dude

February 26, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Are you printing all the facts of the case. There has to be something behind the scenes that we don’t know about.

If it is what it is, then it is wrong. But I’m betting that we don’t know all the facts that the jury who convicted him did.

By Jessalyn Anglin

February 26, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

He absolutely should be freed. His conviction and imprisonment makes me embarrassed to be a Georgian!

By Lev K Mills

February 26, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

From my understanding, the girl didn’t press charges against the young man. It doesn’t surprise me that we live in a state where a boy under the age of 18 can be sentenced to an adult prison and charged as a sex offender against children. He is still a child himself. He should be freed and compensated for this incident.

By By Lawrence

February 26, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

It seems that every time we hear of these cases that the role players are very similar. It is a star high school athlete who just so happens to be a young black man. Justice is not being served in this matter and it is unjust that the state of GA would allow something like this to happen. However, we are in the south and what else could we expect in a region where there is still so much racial inequality; especially in the courtroom. Free the man and let him get on with his life.

By Stacci

February 26, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

yes, set him free

By ME

February 26, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

hey, everyone that says this “poor man” this man who is at prejudices hung rope again, get over it, not everything is about race. This b******* needs to be right where he is, and even longer.

Missing The Point On Genarlow Wilson February 21st, 2007 by Erick · 15 Comments Having called in the past for a pardon or something to get Genarlow Wilson out of jail, I have to say that I have moved away from that position the more I have learned about the case.

And I take it from reading reader reaction to both Will Hinton’s post and Senator Johnson’s post that most of you have, like I had, bought the hype and ignored the facts.

It was refreshing to hear Sen. Johnson, just ten minutes ago, call in to Neal Boortz’s show and, after presenting the facts to Neal, have Neal second guess himself.

I think, if I could get my hands on it, it would be worthwhile making the video tape of the incident available to the public. Even blowhard Bill O’Reilly who championed Genarlow has had to back away from his position after seeing the tape.

People who have bought the spin that this was two horny teenagers engaged in consensual sex are flat out wrong. There is a lot more to the case than that. And while ten years may be too long a sentence, Genarlow Wilson brought that bit of it on himself.

I have no more sympathy for him having delved into the facts of the case.

BTW, I should add, at the end of this, that I do also oppose, and have always opposed, mandatory sentences. We should trust the judge and jury. In this case, though, the jury did find Genarlow guilty of something more than statutory rape.

By juustine

February 26, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

I believe the entire statutoy rape law should be thrown out. There ar ecurrently statisfactory laws on the books to cover forcible rape and child molestation. I believe is a 13 year old can be charged criminally as an adult there should be no laws concerning their consensual sexual acts.

By t

February 26, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

MM - Why does this have to turn into a racist issue with you? Black or White…its wrong to suffer this kind of sentence. Please focus on facts and not face. Signed - your white friend.

By Lock 'em all up

February 26, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Any of you Genarlow fans ever stop to consider that the DA might have wanted to charge him because he thinks this guy is a creepy predator? Genarlow was offered a plea bargain like the rest of the guys, but like a jock, he thought he should be able to do whatever he wanted without any consequence. The fact that he got nailed by an archaic law is just tough noogies.The fact that ESPN did a story on this highlights the fact that if Genarlow wasn’t an athlete, there would be much less interest in this “victim”.

If he had sold crack to that girl, nobody would give a crap if he went to jail. That’s equally consensual. There are a lot more young black men rotting in jail for stupid drug laws than for rutting on a fifteen year old girl. So all you pseudo-liberal types who love screaming “the DA is a racist!” why the outrage now? You didn’t give a crap before.

By Greg

February 26, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

While the law is ridiculous and absurd if you would have seen the videotape that was made of the “party” I think a number of you would have second thoughts about his release….

By Yvette

February 26, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Yes I do feel he should be released from prison, I believe this incident should have been handled by the parents and not the courts, teenagers are curious, that is nothing that should land them in jail. This whole thing should never have happened. All teenagers are curious, kids in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, today and years from now, those teenagers will be the same way. That is not going to change. It’s a part of growing up. So what, are they going to send all the teenagers who experiment with sex to prison, I hope I’m making my point, this whole thing is a tragedy. He needs to be set free NOW. There are “REAL” child molesters out there, the ones who do the real damage are free, and the people who are supposed to keep track of them and know where they are at all times, don’t know where they are. Genarlow Wilson SHOULD BE SET FREE.

By Rorydawg

February 26, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

This is the same mentality that gets a 7 year old expelled from school for possessing a pair of nail clippers! We will never be able to solve our problems as long as we continue to use the same thought processes that created them.

By buck

February 26, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

The prison sentence probably isn’t even the worst part. Once he gets out he’ll be labeled a sex offender for the rest of his life, limited in where he can live and work. What a shame.

By Debonaire

February 26, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

OK…my comment goes out to Doug, Brenda and Lock’em all up SPECIFICALLY…..I live in Douglasville and maybe you all should reread the stories on this and get your facts straight…1st being the girls went to the hotel WILLINGLY…2nd the 1st young girl only said rape AFTER she woke up and realized that it was after her curfew and she did not want to get into trouble by her parents…she later recanted everything and said that it was consensual…3rd the other young lady in the room who was only awaken when the police came back to the room said upfront that the other girl was lying and that it was consensual sex and that they agreed to everything that happened. Also something else others should know…at the same time this case was going…the district attorney own son was involved in a case regarding having sex with a teacher…the teacher was at least 7 or more years older than the attorneys son….how many years did this teacher get and it was obvious child molestation and she should be listed as a child molester…I believe that she got off on probation or maybe it was 2 years…either way it was ALOT less than Genarlow.

I ask most people to consider when they post to this question….How much younger or older are you than your spouse?…Or your date to the prom?…Did you think at that time that he.she or yourself could/should have been in jail?

By shay

February 26, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Let me tell you i have a 17 old son and 16 daughter and let me tell you i have heard and seen it all. There are alot of little miss hotties out there.

By Mother

February 26, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

As a mother of a teenage son and a pre-teen daughter, I say yes…free him. The operative word here is consensual. The girl was not forced and she was of age to know right from wrong. What we need to do is start to educate our young girls on sex and the emotions or lack-there-of that is associated with each situation. Young girls are getting out of hand. I watch them and how they react to my son. I had to education him, when he turned 18 his senior year in high school, and make him understand that a 17 year old girl was suddenly considered an underage minor when it came to him. Many parents of young girls get caught up on their little girl. But let me tell you as a mother of a boy and a girl, you need to school your son and your daughter. Girls are far more aggressive these days and if you are not talking to your son, he may become a victim. I talk to both my kids. Hopefully neither of them becomes a victim.

By Dave

February 26, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

He should absolutely be free. This is an incredible injustice, considering the absurdity of the law and its limited, targeted use.

By the way, I’m a big honkin’ GOP-voting white guy in Dawson County, since that seems to matter. But if the GOP doesn’t grow a pair and start working for the common good, I’m going Libertarian.

By Jennifer

February 26, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Yes and it needs to happen now.

By Monique

February 26, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Yes, please let him go!

By Ron

February 26, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

I do not understand what happen in this case. If it is mandatory for someone to get ten years for having sex with a under age person. Shouldn’t Wilson get ten years for having sex with the girl reguardless if it was rape or not? Would Wilson get charge if the girl would have told her mom that she had sex with Wilson in stead of Wilson raping? the law need to be look at, at all point of view.

By LT5000

February 26, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

I hate to break it to people here, but raping and violating two girls is illegal. Especially when one is underage and you are videotaping it.

Good riddance to these scumbags. One of them had already been convicted for impregnating another underage girl.

Genarlow was well on his way to becoming a prolific rapist. The world won’t miss him.

By Toby

February 26, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Clearly the intent of this law was designed for criminal circumstances entirely different than that of “Mr. Wilson.

How can we, a republic that prides itself on our countries great freedoms, condom the imprisonment of a man-child for 10 years for an act few would consider even a minor infraction. This is a terrible 10 year waste of this man’s life. I would be ashamed to be associated with the conviction of Mr. Wilson.

Looking beyond the blind eye treatment our society is giving this man, look at it from a practical sense. How much of our tax dollars have been spent on incarcerating this man?

And all for what? What have we solved? Who is the real victim here?

Why Mr. Wilson, of course.

By cc

February 26, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

This young man the what every other teenager his age has done. SET HIM FREE!!!

By windy

February 26, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

One more thing…If he is gonna be locked up , will someone please go and arrest Bill Clintons azz as well!

By The Dude

February 26, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

He was convicted of “aggravated child molestation. “Aggravated” means that there were circumstances that made the crime more brutal…that is the information that the “AJC” is leaving out of their story.

By Lady

February 26, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Free Him!!!! This young man had such a promising future ahead of him. Just in the wrong place @the wrong time. Always remeber to keep God first….

By jay

February 26, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Leave him in jail, he did plenty to deserve it.

By April

February 26, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

There is no such thing as “consensual” sexual activity with a person under the age of 16 in the state of Georgia. They don’t have the legal capacity to consent. Period.

By Dew

February 26, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Of course he should be freed…and that would NOT be condoning children’s sexual behaviour…it would just be common sense….We do not WANT our children having sex, but we must understand that they will, at times…and it must be treated common-sensically like any other error of youth…quit making all sex something evil you bunch of idiot-conservative puritans, Train your kids, but know they will make errors of all kinds, including sexual errors…that’s how they will learn…SEX is not the evil that conservatives want you to believe, but we must have perspective…PLEASE

By Steve

February 26, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Mandatory sentences will continue to cause cases like this. Until we again judge cases on a case by case basis and remove the ridiculous mandatory sentencing Georgians will continue to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to keep people unjustly incarcerated

By VinnyC

February 26, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

You know, life is all about choices, and Genarlow Wilson made a choice that night to commit statutory rape with a 15 year old. He should have actually received more like 20 years for what he did. This is not a racial issue like some are making it out to be. He got caught, and did not fess up like his buddies did, and now he is paying the consequences for that decision.

Life is all about the choices that you make, and being responsible for those choices.

By ANuDay

February 26, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

At what point do we draw the line? I support the sentencing. A crime is a crime. Even if this 15 year old girl agreed, it’s still a crime.

By Vee

February 26, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

The young girl’s parents should be locked up because this CHILD was NOT supervised. It is her parents’ responsiblity to know where she is at ALL times. Couldn’t their lack of supervision be deemed as child endangerment?

Now, I’m not condoning what Genarlow and his horny friends did, but, hopefully this will be a lesson to them. As for answering the question, yes, he should be freed.

P.S. To the person who said that all of the others pled guilty and he “took his chances”: Well, has it occurred to you that maybe they were bamboozled into making the guilty pleas, and Genarlow, who had a 3.2 GPA, was a little smarter and took his chances because he thought he knew more about the law? Hmmm.

By Kade

February 26, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

This is ridiculous. Only in Georgia. The people responsible for this should be locked up. If he was white this would never have happened.

By GT

February 26, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

We have too many laws that have been hijacked from their original purpose or time and placed in inappropriate situations. Most of the public could care less if it is getting the bad guy off the street. The problem becomes more direct when it is an individual or some one close that a turn of the phase is being used on. This law was made for a grown man not to have sex with a child something 90 percent of us emotionally agree on. Why get cute with this and cheapen it by this conviction. Too often personal agendas are being carried out with the power of the people and I believe this to be that case.

By Derrick

February 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

The AJC should be ashamed for fanning the flames of this “story” without making every effort to relate ALL the facts clearly. I was in school with everyone in this story. “G” was not the “gentleman” that some of these bloggers claim. He wasn’t just a “horny young man.” He was a self centered thug. I SAW the video and talked to the girls. Yes, some of what they did WAS consensual. Some was not. G thought he was above the law. He bought into the myth that modern culture has created, that you can do whatever you want whenever you want and as long as you act the victim you can get away with it. Ten years too much for him? Yes, but he and the others needed to be punished. All these comments of support might change if they had sisters AND saw the video tape.

By QC

February 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Yes free him it was consensual between the 2 of them….i hope he gets out soon…FREE HIM

By al

February 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

yes, if that is the full truth, he should get restitution for them takign away part of his life. I jay walked the other day, am I going to go to prison? that’s what this “democracy” is going toward.

By Eve

February 26, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

What’s up with Georgia laws? When I reported a 10YEAR old “dating” a 27 year old man, NOTHING was done!!! (Except the girl had a baby at 13). I reported her pregnancy also, because her mother was afraid she was going to get in trouble with the law. I can ony think, because Wilson was black is why he is in prison. The other people I wrote about are white!!! Soooooooo..go figure.

By Bryant

February 26, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

I must repeat an ealier blogger who stated “the problem with mandatory sentences is it precludes common sense.” While this guy sits in prison for a mandatory ten years it forces the pardons and parole board to let some other repeat offender out earlier because of overcrowding. WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYER’S DOLLARS.

By ozzy

February 26, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

You can almost bet there are hundreds of seventeen year olds having sex with 15 year olds every day. This shows how blind our justice system is when he is doing 10 years for the thing that is so common these days.

By GaNative

February 26, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Lock ‘em all up, your stupidity is unbelivable. If the guy was a predator, don’t you think he would have had a track record following him? What teen in her right mind would stay at a hotel party if a known sexual predator is there?

And to that bit you mentioned about if he had sold crack to her nobody would give a crap. Well if he had sold crack to her he might be doing less time. Now let me get biblical with you although I don’t align with christians. Selling crack is not a sin done with the body. Sex is a sin done with the body where both receive pleasure, if it was consenual.

By CMS

February 26, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Of course he should be set free. I first found out about this story a few weeks ago on ESPN.com. Here is a link to ABC that provides a partial video clip with the obvious censoring. At first I thought the girl in question was white but after viewing the clip I’m not sure.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2821129

By Black Republican

February 26, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

I really think this was definitely a misapplication of the law! I am completely outraged. What is wrong with the criminal justice system in Georgia? Four black men have been wrongfully convicted and exonerated after spending an extensive period of time in prison! Now you have a young man with a bright future in prison for teenage sex…Give me a break! And to think this is not a race issue…How many white kids have been convicted under this law? How many white men have been wrongfully convicted and later exonerated? I will give you time to think…Here is the answer! ZERO!!! Marcus Dixon and Genarlow Wilson lives have been ruined because of an unfair criminal justice system. Black people…this is an example of the modern-day Jim Crow laws.

By David Lewis

February 26, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

He should be freed immediately! This was sex between 2 consensual people. He should have never been imprisoned in the first place.

David

By Ron

February 26, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Raising your children to become great athletes instead of great people is a major issue that parents still can’t grasp. Of course he should be let go, but the fact that he was “a promising young athlete,” should not be what draws your empathy. As a former athlete/coach, I would never classify a player as “promising” while they were out drinking, doing drugs, and filming eachother having sex. I would sooner classify it as a waste of talent and poor parenting.

And please take race out of the equation. It just should not be an issue here.

By Stephen

February 26, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

The system is corrupt. Wait a couple of years, if he was 20 and she was 18 its ok. But at 17 years of age they put him away and he would be robbed of his life because of our system. Even if it was a crime is 10 years a reasonable punishment? Maybe 1 year max. Same with Abortion. Although the child is still alive in the mother, take him/her out slaughter the child, its ok. But let the woman give birth, then 1 week later kill the child they put you away for life. What is wrong with our system? Our laws are twisted. We need better leaders taking a stand with these issues that threaten our society.

By Mike

February 26, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

If having consensual sex with a a girl in high school is against the law, Every man in America should be put away. If you are a 17 year old high school boy and you are the most popular guy in school, you are going to have it coming at you from everywhere. It all boils down to a DA who is trying to make a name for himself and doesn’t give a damn about anybody else. This kid should be in college right now and he could be an asset in our society today. It is a shame when you can get locked up for something that has been going on since the beginning of time.

By Kim

February 26, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

He needs to freed. The application of law and lack of common sense used that has him there in the first place is ridiculous.

By LR

February 26, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

What is the question? Of course he should be freed. Otherwise be prepared to prosecute 90% of high school seniors. All in all I guess we are just a state full of “morans”(morons). It’s a poorly written law. If all ambitious DAs brought charges like this most male high school students would be serving 10 years.

By DK

February 26, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

So a 15 year old girl can have an abortion with no problem, but agreeing to oral sex sends the boy to prison for 10 years?

Does this sound right? I guess this is what we get when politicians want to “nanny” us!

By Dee

February 26, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

This law needs to be changed, it is crazy to think that someone could go to jail for having sex with another high schooler. I am sure that all these so called lawmakers have had sex with someone that was two years younger than them. Those old lawmakers for the south probably got wives that are 5-10 years younger than them. What do you expect when you have kids b/t 15-19 years old going to school together. There is nothing wrong with two people this age having sex, get real people and fight some REAL crime….

By Andrew

February 26, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

and i thought clinton got a raw deal for his oral sex adventures…

By Lynn

February 26, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

When the kids are of the same ethnic background no one cares. Two kids (RIP) were involved in a fatel accident in Cobb County last month. The boy was 18 and the girl was 15- they had been dating for 2 years. Both were White teenagers. If the boy was black and the girl white then there would be an outrage. This is a problem that predates anyone reading this. Whenever you have a black boy who is in the age range of 16-18 tell them to stay away from White girls because its always rape or something else. I dont dislike white people or anything its just the truth. This is why the black boy from Georgia on his way to Vanderbilt was put in jail. BLACK MOTHERS WAKE UP and tell your sons them the white girls alone until COLLEGE if not this will keep happening. IF the boy received oral sex and then taped it without her permission charge him with it - otherwise he shoud be locked up for being dumb. Sorry people but this is the reality we live in.

By livewire

February 27, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

It seems as soon as you point out a criminal or sex offender was a “promising athlete” suddenly they should be exonerated.

What ever happened to morals or self restraint? When I was a teen no matter how enticing a situation may be, every one of my friends knew that “jail bait” was an underaged girl and was to be avoided at all costs.

By Ken

February 27, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

I was going to post a comment about the race difference, but why bother the people that put this young man in Jail knew exactly what they were doing. In my opinion the penalty for his conviction was hidden from jurors and that is why we should concentrate on getting the DA fired as well as freeing this young man. Otherwise the shady DA will continue his shady ways and possibly ruin another life >!

By Jim B.

February 27, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

Well it seems obvious judging by all the comments, that since most other teens are doing it, it must be ok; not. Granted the sentance was quite severe, there needs to be an established deterent. Since the public does not support, sex education in our public schools, it seems the only resort is to demonstrate by way of punishing the offenders. People have to think out of context with regard to age and think in terms of maturity levels, there can be distinct differences in 2yrs, i.e. a college freshmen versus a high school sophmore/junior.

By Allen

February 27, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

While I do not advocate premarital activity, it does happen. For one of the participants to be jailed is an outrage. Our Governor should step up and pardon this young man before his life is total ruin.

By Steven Lemon

February 27, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

While I do not agree that sex between consenting teens should be a ten year sentence, I do believe the convicted person should serve the sentence. The most that should happen now is that the law be changed so that it does not happen again. Sentences should not be changed just because they make us feel bad.

On the other hand, if the girl is not subject to the same fate, then the whole thing should be thrown out and a new trial granted.

By consenting, the girl is as much responsible as the guy. If she can decide to abort a fetus, then she is old enough to face the same consequesnces as the boy.

By BillyBoy

February 27, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

Why is everyone assuming that the girl in this story is white? I have seen nothing in the coverage to indicate her race? Guess it makes it easier to play the race card if that assumption is made. Race or the opinion that this is a “stupid law” is irrelevant. Should we all start disregarding any and all laws that we think are unfair? The law is the law, if you think it isn’t right or just, work to get it changed. But people who violate the law should be punished. I think that marijuana laws are useless and unfair. If I get busted with an ounce of pot, should I be freed if I get enough people who agree with me?

By noneya

February 27, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Livewire you have to be kidding me. Please use intelligence when posting to these blogs. “Jailbate” would be a grown man trying to engage in sexual acts with a child. Jailbate is not a high school senior (17 year old child) having consensual sex with a Sophomore. (15 year old child) Mr. Wilson was not a grown man at the time. This young lady was 3 months from her 16th birthday when the incident happened, which is the legal age of consent in Georgia. Is that 3 month difference worth 10 years of his life? The application of this law to this case is a shame.

By Rob

February 27, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

This kid should not be in jail. Yes he and all the other teenagers involved deserve to face punishment for their actions. But to take this kid and put him in prison for 10 years is a total misuse of the law that was used to justify this nonsense.

By bRENDA

February 27, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

I THINK HE SHOULD BE TURNED OUT OF JAIL. 95% OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE SEX WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN SCHOOL.

By Mark Davis

February 27, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why, but kids there days seem to be much more immature than we middle aged or older adults were at the same age. I’ve seen 18 year old kids display the common sense one would expect from a 14 year old.

If these were bad boys, and raped a girl, they should be punished for it, but we must stick to the issue at hand.

The question is, should a 17 year old be put in jail for having sexual relations with a 15 year old girl?

In my opinion, to do so would be utterly ridiculous.

That doesn’t mean I condone the activity. I am an evangelical Christian, and I oppose pre-marital sexual activity.

That said, we Christians sometimes seem to be a whole lot more interested in making conVICTS than we are in making conVERTS.

By Spiritraveller

February 27, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Dear “The Dude,”

What is your motivation for making stuff up?

The “aggravated” part didn’t have anything to do with brutality in this case. It was based on the fact that he engaged in sodomy (receiving oral sex) from a girl under 16.

Take a look at O.C.G.A. 16-6-4 (c), “A person commits the offense of aggravated child molestation when such person commits an offense of child molestation which act physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy.”

He was not accused of physically injuring anybody.

Get your facts straight.

By Rod

February 27, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Let the kid walk. Yes, he fooled around, yes he should have been punished, but he’s done 2 years. He was a curious teenager. Let the boy get his life back. We’re taking a nice young man here, 3.2 GPA, and destroying his future. He deserves a full pardon. Now, I haven’t seen the video of the alleged rape. That’s another story all together, but in this oral sex case, let him go.

By JLM

February 27, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

No.

If you happen to be of the inclination this was a good thing, you probably also abhor keeping lifers in jail because you think it’s cheaper and easier to kill them (by far untrue — do your research). FYI - by accepting teenage sexual curiosity (consentual) and not sending them to prison (which probably exposed him to a whole host of criminal activity he would otherwise have steared clear of being the apparent sports person he was, and in the long run may help him find his way BACK into the crim. j. system… but that’s another argument) our state and tax payers will save money and there won’t be worries and the reality of overcrowding in jails.

Mandatory sentencing is perhaps the singelmost destructive implementation in the criminal justice process.

By Davona

February 27, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

After all the dust settles, the questions still remains … WHERE WERE THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS??? Until parents are held acountable for their offspring, this and all other inappropriate behaviors and events will continue. End of story.

By bj

February 27, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Bottom Line: IF HE WAS WHITE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALRIGHT.

And for who dismiss this as uninformed…I was a Georgia Parole Officer for six years.

I have seen this scenario occur multiple times. And I stopped it from happening TO MY PAROLEES numerous times.

I have seen parolees get arrested for the EXACT same charge: typically VGCSA (Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act), theft by taking, DUI, domestic disturbance and/or battery. Many of the white ones got released, unless their case was atrocious, pending court hearing - which generally equated to fines, community service, restitution, and/or a few months in a Detention Center of County Jail.

However, the probation/parole officers routinely “allowed” the black parolees to sign a Hearing Waiver, which meant automatic revocation of parole and return to prison. The kicker: Often times, once their parole was revoked, the case never made it to court.

NOTE: Just so you know, I REALLY LOVE GEORGIA. It is not the BEST IT CAN BE - BUT IT’S MINE.

UGA Rules!!! FU (I mean UF) STINKS! GATORS SUCK.

But I am also a realist. So, I know that Some good ole boys will NEVER admit that Georgia, The South, and the US treats black men differently.

I am simply here to CONFIRM what almost everyone already knows, and what the Case of the young Mr. Wilson highlights -

Blacks, and black men in particular, have overwhelming odds to overcome in order to MERELY survive in this world.

Thanks for your time.

By Coach

February 27, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

I am a coach of a Rural Georgia High School football program. I have tried to tell my boys that this behavior will get them in trouble some day. But alas, they do what they want to. I do not believe what I read in the AJC most of the time, so I went on a fact finding mission with peers who are familiar with the situation. I thought, as many of you did, that this was a miscarriage of justice and Mr. Wilson was the victim. Then I find out what this gentleman was really like: oblivious to the law, cocky and thought he was a “gift” to most girls. I see athletes like this every day. I just want to ring their necks for being stupid. No matter how many people tell them that this type of behavior could ruin their careers, they do not listen. I have changed my judgment of this young man after discussing his attitude towards life with several coaches who have played against him and some that are familiar with him. Should he have gotten 10 years? Maybe not, but he should be punished and he should be placed on athletic probation for breaking the rules. Either way, his hopes of getting an athletic scholarship to a major university are most likely shot. I only hope more cocky, self centered athletes will read this story and take notice: EVERY ACTION HAS CONSEQUENCES, some good, some bad

I have been coaching for over 20 years and believe me, I have seen it all. Last year, I saw four of my most promising players ruin any possibility of an athletic career for the pleasure of a girl. Did they deserve to lose their “shot” because of one thoughtless encounter? We all have choices to make. Mr. Wilson made his choice and will pay for it (one way or the other) for the rest of his life. I do not think he should be in prison, though. Get him out and let his coach and peers handle him. He may wish he was back in prison.

By Tanya

February 27, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

For those of you who think that Genarlow Wilson belongs in prison and should serve 10 years, go to this website (a link provided by GBI) and check out the convicted sex offenders listed on this site. Some have been convicted of 1st and 2nd degree child molestation and violent sexual assaults as recently as 2005 and yet they are not in jail. Why is that, and how can you call this justice?

http://www.nsopr.gov/

By Khara

February 27, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

FREE Genarlow! Unfortunately as much as I would like to remove this from a black/ white issue race does play a factor. I have seen an instance post mandatory minimum where a young black man 20 had consensual sex with a black 15 y/o sentenced to 3 years part of which was probation. My foster brothers (black) were raped by adults (white males) who received 4 and 6 years for raping a 6 year old and a 4 year old respectively.

Then you have a child with a child… 2 years apart is a more than reasonable age difference… and 1 goes to jail? Where is the justice? A judge does have the ability to impose personal preference on a mandatory minimum although it is highly frowned upon in the legal community.

If he is guilty of sexual misconduct with the 17 y/o then he should be charged as such but being charged with statutory rape for receiving sexual favors from a 15 y/o is ridiculous. Many of my high school friends had sex with 16, 17 and 18 y/olds at 15. Should those young men have been arrested? NO! Why? Because children have sex with children and always will.

An Alabama politician got caught with a child years ago and the consensual age was changed.

By Vonn

February 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

This child should have NEVER been sent to prison. He had CONSENTUAL oral sex with another teen. GA law is archaic and all the sex laws on the books need to be revamped to fit the century we are living in. It amazes me how a teen goes to jail and faces up to 10 yrs for oral sex but you have TEACHERS HAVING SEX AND BABIES WITH TEENS and they get slaps on the writs or probation.

GA’s sex offender registry probably contains teens who had consentual sex with other teens but were forced to register as offenders because GA law is a$$ backwards. WAKE UP GA and get rid of mandatory sentencing which is a travesty.

By Joann Turner

February 27, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Mr. Wilson should be freed, time should’nt have been served.

By Naomi

February 27, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Mr. Wilson should be given a second chance to be what he was striving for before this non-sense happened.

By SNY

February 27, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Ok, I tried to stay out of this and just sit back and read everyone else’s posts. Especially since they all are saying exactly what I feel, but I couldn’t help myself. Here I go.

If you don’t like what I posted, too bad, get over it.