IN THE ONGOING GENARLOW WILSON CASE, the Georgia Supremes heard argument for and against Wilson’s release in a packed-to-the-rafters courtroom on Friday (although ruling isn’t expected before September.). The Atlanta Journal Constitution has perhaps the best description of the proceedings for laypersons. And, for the law-junkie’s among us, a very, smart cookie young Atlanta lawyer named Sara, at Going Through the Motions, live blogged the hearing on her blackberry. (Sara also made very helpful note of the fact that Wilson’s attorney, B.J. Bernstein, wore a suit featuring a sequined faux leopard skin collar.) She also observed, although likely not with entirely flawless objectivity, that prosecutor McDade was..”…even sleazier in person, if that’s possible.”
AND WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT OF SEXUAL OFFENSES….. this Sunday’s NY Times Magazine has a fascinating cover story exploring facts, myths and misconceptions surrounding the issue of juvenile sex offenders. It’s titled, “How Can You Distinguish a Budding Pedophile From a Kid With Real Boundary Problems?” It’s very much worth the read. (She mentions Genarlow Wilson, but only in passing.)
ON BEING DIFFERENT….SPECIAL ED. This weekend, Ira Glass and This American Life replay a wonderful past episode called “Special Ed…. “…Stories about people who were told that they’re different. Some of them were comfortable with it. Some didn’t understand it. And some understood, but didn’t like it.”
If you only listen to part of it, listen to chapter one—about the group of developmentally disabled people who took a cross country journey during which they conducted a series of filmed man-on-the-street interviews. It’s great, great radio. (Ira Glass really is one of the most talented people working in any media.)
DEPORTED AND DISAPPEARED All this brings us quite naturally to the excellent narrative piece written by LA Weekly’s Danial Hernandez on that that story we flagged here a few weeks ago about the developmentally disabled main who, despite the fact that he’s a U.S. citizen, was deported to Mexico after he served time in the LA County jail for a low-level vandalism charge. He is now missing.
“…..he made one distraught phone call to his family from the border at San Ysidro. His sister-in-law Vicky picked up.
‘He called and told her to ask us, ‘Who is going to come get me in Tijuana?”‘ Carbajal says. ‘And she asked, “Why?” “Because they deported me.” ‘But why?” He said, “I don’t know. I’m confused. I don’t know why I’m here.” ‘
Then the line went dead….”
The outcome of this case will surely be decided within a week or two at the latest. But, beyond the minimum sentence issue, at hand, a larger question exists: What will Genarlow Wilson do to benefit others from his experience? Certainly, his sentence and incarceration has caused a law to be changed in Georgia. One could say that is good. But beyond that, Genarlow is an example of a simple, yet profound, principle: Every choice has a consequence.
As former inmate from Federal prison, today I share with business executives and young people that simple message: Every choice has a consequence. And, while I am extraordinarily sympathetic to Mr. Wilson’s plight, his example has helped other young people evaluate the power of their seemingly simple choices. As the founder of the Choices Foundation http://www.chuckgallagher.com/foundation.php , perhaps Genarlow would consider stepping up and helping others understand the power of choice.