Genarlow Wilson Released From Jail
After a long legal battle and two years in jail, Genarlow Wilson and his family finally celebrated his freedom this weekend.
Wilson had been convicted of felony aggravated child molestation after he was videotaped at a 2003 New Year’s Eve party having sex with a 15 year old girl. The sex has been characterized as consensual oral sex, and Wilson was 17 years old at the time.
Since Wilson’s conviction, similar crimes involving consensual sex between teenagers have be re-categorized as misdemeanor offenses. However, at the time of Wilson’s conviction a ten year sentence was mandatory.
On Friday, the Georgia Supreme Court in a tight 4-3 decision, decided that a 10 year sentence for Wilson amounted to “cruel and unusual punishment.” He was released from prison within hours following their decision. Prosecutors do not plan to appeal the decision.
So now Wilson is 21 years old and is a free man. He says that he now plans to go to college and pursue a degree in sociology or business.
