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Teen Sex Case Takes a Turn

Judge throws out 'cruel and unusual' 10-year sentence; AG plans to appeal

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2007 6:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – A judge ordered a 21-year-old Georgia man freed from prison today, ruling that his 10-year sentence for aggravated child molestation—receiving consensual oral sex from a 15-year-old when he was 17—was "cruel and unusual" and that keeping him incarcerated would be a "miscarriage of justice." The attorney general promptly announced his intention to appeal, stalling Genarlow Wilson's release.

In 2003, when the act occurred, a loophole in the law made oral sex a felony and intercourse a misdemeanor. Wilson has served over two years for a crime that is now a misdemeanor—but the statute is not retroactive. His conviction sparked widespread outrage, and his lawyer is filing for his release on bond pending the AG's appeal.

' (Associated Press)

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Teen Sex Case Takes a Turn

Judge throws out 'cruel and unusual' 10-year sentence; AG plans to appeal

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Inmates Use Contraband Phones, Texts to Stage Strike

Text messages unite prisoners in seven Georgia lockups

Jimmy Carter's Grandson Wins Ga. Senate Race

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Obama Effigy Hanged in Jimmy Carter's Hometown

Secret Service investigating ugly incident in Plains, Ga.

Ga. Won't Stay Execution Despite Witness Reversals

Carter, clergy, NAACP have asked for life sentence for Troy Davis

Carter Aide Hamilton Jordan Dead at 63

Architect of Carter's White House run succumbs to cancer

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Teen Sex Case Takes a Turn

Judge throws out 'cruel and unusual' 10-year sentence; AG plans to appeal

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

prison • Jimmy Carter • Georgia • oral sex • Genarlow Wilson • courts • child molestation

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Inmates Use Contraband Phones, Texts to Stage Strike

Text messages unite prisoners in seven Georgia lockups

Jimmy Carter's Grandson Wins Ga. Senate Race

Jason brings Carter name back to Georgia politics

Obama Effigy Hanged in Jimmy Carter's Hometown

Secret Service investigating ugly incident in Plains, Ga.

Ga. Won't Stay Execution Despite Witness Reversals

Carter, clergy, NAACP have asked for life sentence for Troy Davis

Carter Aide Hamilton Jordan Dead at 63

Architect of Carter's White House run succumbs to cancer

About Us

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?