Help: A young man (Oklahoma?) is in prison for having sex with another

[Rowdyboy]

young man a few years ago. I believe both were in the foster care system and one was 17 or 18, the other 15. They had sex, got caught, and the older kid went to prison for 20+ years. I've read the details but I failed to save the site.

Can anyone point me to a link for this story?

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Wrong backwards state...I know, I live here!

It was Kansas or Nebraska, but my money is on Kansas. It was appealed to the State Supreme Court and shot down. I will see if I can find something.

ON EDIT: Found it!

A three-judge appeals panel heard arguments in the case of Matthew R. Limon, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison for engaging in homosexual sex with a minor. Limon was 18 years old when he was convicted in 2000 of having oral sex with a 14-year-old boy at a private group home for people with developmental disabilities in Paola.

Under state law, if Limon had engaged in sex with an underage girl, he would have faced a maximum sentence of one year and three months in prison.

"I'm just trying to come up with a reason, other than you don't like homosexuals," Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Joseph Pierron told Deputy Atty. Gen. Jared Maag, who was representing the state.

But Maag said the state Legislature had broad authority to approve of such disparities in sentencing in order to promote "traditional sexual roles."

http://www.exgaywatch.com/blog/archives/2003/12/matthew_limon_u.html">Matthew Limon case

[Rowdyboy]

3. Damn, DU ROCKS and so do you!

Where else could I get the answer to an obscure question so quickly.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. S'alright.

I followed that case when it came out. There may even be something in the Advocate's website. Also, being unemployed for two years, I surf the net A LOT!!!! Glad I could help. Thanks for the compliment, it was needed today! :)

[Rowdyboy]

6. I have some close gay friends who are so uninformed, so insulated

from reality, that they really don't understand that shit like this actually happens. I want them to see the sickening details and maybe help them see where to draw political lines.

Your help was appreciated very much. Man, its people like you that keep me coming here, for information and for friendship. DUers are a lifeline for a lot of people.

I worked for my state's job service department for 25 years. If you've been unsuccessfully looking for work for 2 years you must be frustrated beyond all description and I honestly understand where you're coming from. Its the most miserable feeling imaginable. Wish I could help...

Life will get better, I promise.

[One_Life_To_Give]

7. Law maybe screwed up, but in Blue states we call that RAPE

A 17 year old having sexual relations with a Developmentaly Impaired 14 yr old. This case is too disturbing to use as a poster for what is wrong with the laws in this particular state.

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Therein lies part of the problem

The 17yo is also developmentally impaired, as well. So, not only was it a blow against gays, it was against people who are developmentally challenged. And, actually, many states would NOT call a consensual sexual act between a 17yo and 14yo (3 year rule, some places it is a two year rule) rape.

[One_Life_To_Give]

9. It;s a UN-Clear case

Two adults going to prison for gay sexual relations would be clear.
Two 14yr olds having consentual relations, in some places is defined as rape on the part of both parties. As neither child can consent.
Some places within two or three years is acceptable. MA has either over 16 or not.

Maybe the DA went after the case because of the Gay angle. Or maybe because of age and relative levels of maturity. But if it was the former then why no mention of charging the 14 yr old?

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Not that unclear

The DA went after the case because of the age difference, which is why the 14yo was not charged (I am guessing). However, it was the sentencing that was problematic. First, he got 17 years BECAUSE he is gay. Second, the accused suffers from diminished capacity, so is jail really the best place?

[TaleWgnDg]

12. Yup. That was my kneejerk reaction too.

.
Yup. That was my kneejerk reaction too. Statutory rape (sex w/ an individual who is u/ the age of 16) plus a mentally deficient youngster who is a ward of the State? Yikes. However, I don't know all the facts and circumstances so my kneejerk may be incorrect.

______________________

edited due to a typo

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[Auntie Bush]

2. Don't know anything about this story...but, I have a question.....

Did someone put us in a Time Machine and turn us back to the past where we burned witches at the stake and put the mentally disturbed in prison? :shrug: Which century are we living in? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Party like it's 1699!

This current misAdministration has taken us so far back, that soon we may actually get to see our ancestors swinging from trees...if you believe that heresy! LOL!

[Guy Fawkes]

11. err statutory rape, anyone?

After sodomy laws were overturned, this case would have been dismissed- except that one kid was 18 and the other 15. That is considered statutory rape in someplaces, and sex with a minor is against the law everywhere.

Age doesn't matter- this guy is legaly a pedophile.

[Brian_Expat]

13. You missed the most important part

The Kansas State legislature passed a "Romeo and Juliet" law that held that it wasn't severe statutory rape -- had they been opposite gender. The older boy would have received a year or two's probation.

However, since they were same sex, the "Romeo and Juliet" law didn't apply and the book was thrown at the older man.

Besides, how many heterosexual relationships between teens below the age of consent and above the age of consent happen every day? Lots and lots of them. Hell, lots of heterosexuals in that position will get married even with one underage partner and then talk about statutory rape.

I don't support underage kids having sex, but if you're going to have a law stating that turning 18 suddenly makes an ongoing relationship a lesser crime, it should not be nullified by the gender of those involved. Either throw the book at everyone or mitigate the situation for everyone -- not just straights.

[Q3JR4]

14. My thoughts exactly. n/t.