Thousands demand justice for Genarlow Wilson

A photo of Generlow Wilson at age 17 provided by his family. Wilson is now 21.

The quiet of this historic, Southern town with its tree-shaded houses and old-fashioned downtown was disrupted July 14 as thousands of people, mostly African-American residents of Douglas County, marched, wearing tee-shirts, carrying signs and chanting, “Free Genarlow Wilson.”

The protest ended at the steps of the County Courthouse Building where for more than two hours the crowd listened to local and state elected officials, religious and civil rights leaders, radio personalities and others decry the unfairness of Wilson’s trial and sentencing.

Juanessa Bennett, his mother, in thanking those present, said that her family has become “part of a much bigger movement” to make the justice system equal for all.

Wilson’s case has drawn international attention. At age 17, the star student and athlete was arrested, stood trial and was convicted of “aggravated child molestation” for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old classmate at a New Year’s Eve party.

Under Georgia law at the time, Wilson was sentenced to a mandatory 10-year prison term plus one year on probation as a felony sex offender.

Furthermore, he would be required to register as a convicted sex offender and be restricted in where he could live and work.

The law has since been revised with the maximum penalty for under-age teen-age sex being a misdemeanor conviction with 12 months. Wilson has been in prison close to three years already.

A particular target of the crowd’s anger was Douglas County District Attorney David McDade, who has been unrelenting in his prosecution of this case, going so far as to release numerous copies of the videotape that captured the sexual acts of Wilson and the young girl. He is also accused of threatening the mother of the girl if she did not agree to his pursuing of the felony charges against Wilson.

The crowd roared its approval when speakers called for McDade to be charged under federal child pornography statutes and be disbarred for his conduct in this case.

On June 13, Georgia Superior Court Judge Thomas Wilson (no relation) ruled Generlow Wilson’s case to be a “miscarriage of justice” and ordered his sentence reduced and his release.

State Attorney General Thurbert Baker immediately appealed his decision and Genarlow Wilson stayed in prison.

On July 20, the State Supreme Court will hear arguments about the legality of Judge Wilson’s ruling.

As quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, protester Sheila Polk summed up the sentiments of the crowd that spilled all across the lawn and parking lot of the County Courthouse. “This is not just for Genarlow. ... This is for everybody.”