Report on Genarlow Wilson argument in Georgia

The AP has this article providing the basics of today’s argument before the Georgia Supreme Court in the Genarlow Wilson case.  Here are a few snippets:

Attorney General Thurbert Baker argues that the order to free Wilson, if upheld, could be used to help free some 1,300 child molesters from Georgia prison.  “We urge you to look beyond the confines of this case,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Paula Smith told the court’s seven justices Friday.

Wilson’s lawyer, B.J. Bernstein, said that Wilson’s decade-long mandatory sentence violated the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.  “Every day that a defendant spends in jail is a precious day in their life,” Bernstein said.

The justices seemed to be wrestling with how to provide Wilson relief under the law. “We have a responsibility to enforce the law,” Justice Robert Benham asked.  “Should we do that at the expense of fairness?”

How Appealing has more coverage of the argument at this link.