Kevin Gillson

Kevin Gillson is a man who, as a teenager in Port Washington, Wisconsin, attracted national attention when he was sentenced as a sex offender for a consensual act with his girlfriend.[1]

Description

She described him as her "Romeo" and stated, "Thanks to the court system, I have lost the love of my life and the father of my unborn baby."[2] A juror in the case said, "We were led to believe that we only had one choice, the way it was presented to us. We had a copy of the law, and they both said they did it and that was our only choice."[3]

The 2nd District Court of Appeals in Waukesha allowed the verdict to stand, but legislation inspired by Gillson's case changed the law to let judges decide whether teenagers 18 or younger convicted of sex crimes must register with police as sex offenders. Circuit Judge Tom Wolfgram subsequently removed Gillson from the sex offender registry.[4]

References
  1. Press, From Associated (25 June 1997). "Teen Sentenced as Sex Offender in Consensual Act With Girlfriend". Los Angeles Times.
  2. "Fiancee Urges Leniency for 'Father of My Unborn Baby'", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 25 June 1997
  3. "Town Backs Teenage Dad In Sex Assault Statutory Rape Law Blocks Wedding Plans". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. 28 April 1997.
  4. "Teen sex verdict stands". Journal Times.
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