Monday, June 11, 2007

Post 200 - Big Win for Wilson

So, I had something special planned for my 200th post here at TheAngryFan, but I think I have to celebrate the 200th post in post 201...maybe that will become my tradition. I have been working on an interview, and I am waiting to hear back from my contact - he sounded interested, but did mention to me that he is currently busy. As I said, I still hope to do the interview.

Something happened though that merited cause to bump the interview. Those of you who are regular readers know that I have written on occasion about the ongoing saga of Genarlow Wilson, the then 17-year old honor student and football player in Georgia who received a blow-job, freely given, at a party from a 15-year old. Wilson found himself in jail serving a mandatory ten-year sentence on a child molestation charge that carried with it a record in the sex offender registry.

At the time Wilson went to jail, he was being recruited by colleges like Brown.

At noon today a judge, after hearing an appeal from Wilson's lawyers, "gave Genarlow Wilson a 12-month misdemeanor sentence with credit for time already served," effectively expunging Wilson's name from the sex offender registry.

While this has been a major win for Wilson, it is not the end as the state is expected to appeal the ruling, keeping Wilson in jail until at least the next court date.

When Wilson gets out, it will be a prime opportunity for those schools which recruited him to really step up to the plate and show what they're made of.

3 comments:

Dave said...

Thank God.

I saw Wilson's story on ESPN and then the full story on their site (I wish ESPN did more stuff like this and promoted it better). What a miscarriage of justice.

I'm not surprised the state is appealing it. Someone undoubtedly made their bones off of this case and won't want to see that tainted. But I don't know what basis they have for an appeal.

Kevin Smith said...

What amazes me is about the reports on the state being likely to appeal is that it seems like many (not all) of the officials didn't think it was right that this kid was spending 10 years behind bars. I always hated how one sided the rape laws were - evidently the first year Wilson was in prison, an attractive blonde sixth grade teacher slept with one of her students and she got six months.

I'm glad that there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel for him.

sugarshane024 said...

I agree with Dave. I saw the story on ESPN and was shocked by the level of injustice.

Congrats on Post 200!! Keep em coming.