Has there been a crime committed here? "Man Charged for Having Sex With Teen Wife"

[nickel]

Is he her husband?

Is he a pedophile?

Is he both?

They were legally married with both sets of parents approving of the marriage.

How were Authorities notified of a crime?

She is pregnant too.

Should there be a Federal Law stating the minimum ages of marriage?

Tue Jul 26, 8:14 PM ET

LINCOLN, Neb. - A 22-year-old man faces criminal charges in Nebraska for having sex with an underage 13-year-old girl, although he legally married her in Kansas after she became pregnant.

The man's lawyer said the couple, with their families' support, "made a responsible decision to try to cope with the problem."

Matthew Koso, 22, was charged Monday with first-degree sexual assault, punishable by up to 50 years in prison. He was released on $7,500 bail pending an Aug. 17 preliminary hearing.

After the girl became pregnant, her mother gave permission in May for Koso to take the young woman to Kansas, which allows minors to get married with parental consent. The girl is now 14 and seven months pregnant.

"The idea ... is repugnant to me," said Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning. "These people made the decision to send their ... 14-year-old daughter to Kansas to marry a pedophile."

He said the marriage is valid, thanks to the "ridiculous" Kansas law, "but it doesn't matter. I'm not going to stand by while a grown man ... has a relationship with a 13-year-old — now 14-year-old — girl."

Bruning, who has said he will seek a second term in 2006, has aggressively prosecuted sex crimes against children since he was elected in 2002

The couple were married in May by a judge in Hiawatha, Kan., just across the state line from Falls City.

Nebraska requires people to be at least 17 before they can marry.

Kansas law, however, sets no minimum marriage age, although case law sets the minimum age at 14 for boys and 12 for girls. The marriage must be approved by both parents or guardian, or by a district court judge, said Whitney Watson, spokesman for Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline. A judge also must approve if only one parent approves.

Koso's lawyer, Willis Yoesel, said the girl's mother and Koso's parents approved of the marriage. He said the girl's father has not lived with the family for some time.

"It seems to me like they, as much as they could, made a responsible decision to try to cope with the problem," Yoesel said.

"The families are all united in this effort," Yoesel said. "I don't know who is complaining. ... What benefit is there to anybody in the prosecution of this young man?"

There was no comment from Koso, who does not have a listed telephone number.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050727/ap_on_re_us/husband_pedophilia

[jstreet]

Ah, the middle states...

Kidding ;)

[Kevster]

Is he her husband?

Is he a pedophile?

Is he both?

They were legally married with both sets of parents approving of the marriage.

How were Authorities notified of a crime?

She is pregnant too.

Should there be a Federal Law stating the minimum ages of marriage?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050727/ap_on_re_us/husband_pedophilia


He's not a pedophile, since this girl is not a prepubescent child. He is whatever you call someone who is attracted to young teenage girls.

Remember he was not her husband when he initially had sex with her, only afterward by going to Kansas, so yes a crime was committed in the state of Nebraska.

To answer the question on a federal law, my answer is no. The states do an ok job, but some are a little behind others in updating their books.

[zenbooty]

Is he her husband?

Is he a pedophile?

Is he both?

They were legally married with both sets of parents approving of the marriage.

How were Authorities notified of a crime?

She is pregnant too.

Should there be a Federal Law stating the minimum ages of marriage?
This looks like aq sticky situation. I think legally he's screwed, since he got her preggo before the marriage. Once you're married, the age of consent laws generally no longer apply, but since it can be proven that the acts were prior to marriage, I believe he can be prosecuted.


He's not a pedophile, since this girl is not a prepubescent child. He is whatever you call someone who is attracted to young teenage girls.That would be a pederast.

[InfiniteNothing]

He's not a pedophile, since this girl is not a prepubescent child. He is whatever you call someone who is attracted to young teenage girls

That would make him a heterosexual male :hihi:

[Pemolis]

He's not a pedophile, since this girl is not a prepubescent child. He is whatever you call someone who is attracted to young teenage girls.

Remember he was not her husband when he initially had sex with her, only afterward by going to Kansas, so yes a crime was committed in the state of Nebraska.

To answer the question on a federal law, my answer is no. The states do an ok job, but some are a little behind others in updating their books.


Actually a pedophile can be someone who is attracted to any child 17 years or younger (varies by state). Because she is a teen does not exclude him from being a pedophile (I have been reading up on this and infact did a report on it).

This is quite a wierd situation. There are these issues to review.

1) He had sex with a 13 year old
2) He got her pregnant
3) The parents knew and consented them to get married
4) They got married (after the fact)

SO the questsions are

1) Does a person have the right to have sex with a minor if they are married

2) Does getting married exclude a person from the laws of pedophilia

3) Are they a pedophile (did they break the law) if they get the child pregnant after they are married? Before they are married?
4) Can the parents consent to the sexual relationship of a adult and a child? Before marraige? After marraige?

5) If so, does this apply when they leave the state of Kansas?

6) Can a minor get legally married before they are pregant? After?

7) Does a child have the capability of reasoning with the concepts of sexual relations with an adult (presently this is no, they cannot and the adult should understand that and not have sexual relations). This basically means if the child consents to sex... its still illegal for the adult to perform it.

Some of the above questions are already answered in present legistlation, but some are quite new.

I'll keep an eye out on this case cause it interests me quite a bit.

[RIVERWIDOW]

He's a pervert who knocked up a little kid and then got permission from her parents to screw her legally. I cannot believe they didn't throw his sick ,horny *ss in jail. Do they think they did their kid a favor hooking her up legally with this low life? or were they more concerned with what the neighbors would think. So another little kid will be raising a little kid and he will be out looking for new meat. :censored:

[zero2dash]

Gee I wonder if they're
http://www.route66magazine.com/Store/images/01-00-151-LG.jpg
:heh:

WTF is wrong with these people...?
How can the parents consent to this? Maybe they are...(above)

Nevertheless, he legally married the girl so I don't see how he can be prosecuted for this. It's SICK, but...(sadly) he's legally married to her.

[ialsohaveadream]

He's not a pedophile, since this girl is not a prepubescent child. He is whatever you call someone who is attracted to young teenage girls.
Where did the article say that he wasn't having sex with her when she was 10 or 11? He could've been attracted to her at age 8.

This is a tough call. I'd say it depends on how much leeway the state gives parents in approving decisions or waiving rights for their children.

I don't ever want to hear from the red-staters again that it's US killing the morals in this country. ;)

[Thesifer]

And besides all that.. Shouldn't It just be illegal for "Children under 17" to have sex in the first place? whether its with a kid of the same age or not.. They as "stated" are not old enough to make the life changing decisions of having sexual relations with someone.. So in reality following that thought process.. If two children are say .. 15 and 16.. Then they are sexually assaulting each other, because neither of them is old enough to consent to the act of sex.

I know by law he is considered a pedophile and Im not even condoning what he did/does etc. But as a matter of a different point of view.. Some 22 year old males are about as mature as a 15-17 year old.

Kids arent even old enough to watch Cartoons engaging in soft core .. pixography.. So Obviously they don't know what they should do themselves when it comes to anything else.

[Yossarian]

And besides all that.. Shouldn't It just be illegal for "Children under 17"


depends on the maturity of the kid. i know(knew) kids at 15-16 that were mature enough, and i know of people who are 30 that aren't :shrug:

[zenbooty]

And besides all that.. Shouldn't It just be illegal for "Children under 17" to have sex in the first place?No. That's ridiculous to even consider if you believe in freedom at all. Should we make it illegal to not eat your vegetables as well? How about we make it illegal for young men and women to be out in public together without a chaperone? :rolleyes:

[mcs328]

I throw him in jail. He did it before getting married. His parents approval is just to save face for themselves, the child, neighbors and if they're religious whatever god they worship.

[InfiniteNothing]

Is it possible they have a legitimate relationship and love eachother dearly? Is it possible the 14 year old wants this kid and no one is being harmed but we're just interfering because.... well we as humans are nosey?

[nickel]

she's 14 and he's 22, 8 years difference. i guess no one would really bat an eyelash if this happened when she was 20 and he was 28.

but still, he boinked a 13 year old. i don't think we can say all is well since now the parents have OK'd their marriage and it has been licensed.

it's sad though because they probably do love each other and want to be a family, and now he is probably going to get jail time out of this.

[InfiniteNothing]

but still, he boinked a 13 year old. i don't think we can say all is well since now the parents have OK'd their marriage and it has been licensed.

It does however imply that the 13 yo was old enough to consent though. And if she consented... who are we to judge.


How were Authorities notified of a crime?


Patriot act :hihi:

[nickel]

It does however imply that the 13 yo was old enough to consent though. And if she consented... who are we to judge.
unfortunately it doesn't work that way. how many guys are brought up on charges for having sex with a minor and you can bet most of them were consensual.

[InfiniteNothing]

unfortunately it doesn't work that way. how many guys are brought up on charges for having sex with a minor and you can bet most of them were consensual.

There it's assumed that the minor did not really consent as she/he was not of legal age to consent. (I complety disagree with the law though). Here, she may not be of legal age of consent but her parents are adults who can give consent (like consent for surgery and such).

[nickel]

Patriot act :hihi:
:laugh: ya nut

but i'm thinking that possibly when she went to the doctors for her pregnancy they reported it. they probably are required by law to do so because of her age.

[InfiniteNothing]

:laugh: ya nut

but i'm thinking that possibly when she went to the doctors for her pregnancy they reported it. they probably are required by law to do so because of her age.

Probably. That's really sad though. It disincentives pregnant teens to go to the dotor.

[nickel]

There it's assumed that the minor did not really consent as she/he was not of legal age to consent. (I complety disagree with the law though). Here, she may not be of legal age of consent but her parents are adults who can give consent (like consent for surgery and such).
are you saying parents can give consent for their 13 y/o daughter to have sex and that will make it legal?

i know they can give consent to the underage marriage in some states.

[Pemolis]

Its put in the Law of the US.. It doesn't matter how "mature" the child is or whether the child Consents to have relations with an older individuals and they have 100 Witnesses and the presidents approval, it is illegal for the adult to have relations with the child.

No amount of consent from the child can bypass the illegality of pedophilia.

Can the parents consent surpass this though? I do not know of any case that covered this.. but I highly doubt it.

I do not know whether marraige bypasses the law either.

[Thesifer]

So.. If the parents had consented to the Child marrying the 22 year old and they got married and THEN had sex.. It's alright? .. If that's the case then what is the problem beforehand.

And sorry about that zB .. I was being Sarcastic with my Entire post.

On a slightly similar not.. Can a 17 year old sleep with a 9 year old.. or is there a law against that? (Just wondering and chose 9 because its 8 years difference)

[Grimm]

He definitely commited a crime. However, the wronged parties and the criminal came to an agreement to compensate for that crime. Is it right for the state government to interfere in that agreement, so long as it can be determined that all parties are satisfied with it?
The girl involved will still have the right to bring charges against her husband if she later feels that she was tricked or unfairly forced into marriage. She will be an adult, capable of making reasoned decisions, long before the statute of limitations runs out.

I personaly am more willing to trust the girl's parents than some grand-standing politician hoping for re-election. If the family is satisfied with the arrangement then that's all that needs to be done. If the girl later desides that she was taken advantage she can have him arrested and thrown in prison. The simple fact is that we don't know the people involved. Certainly the state should look into the matter, just to ensure there wasn't any extortion involved. But the single most important thing is the health and wellbeing of the victim. If the best thing for her is to be married and raising a family then that's what is best. The people best equiped to make that decision are her and her parents. Why punish the victim for statutory rape by taking away her husband?
If she didn't want to marry him then he should go to prison.

Prosicuting the case would be difficult. The wife can not be forced to testify against her husband. If she doesn't testify it will be hard to convict. Especialy if both parents object to a medical procedure on their child to determine parentage. The evidince could very easily be thrown out. Then a not guilty verdict would deprive the girl of the option to later press charges for statutory rape if she later realizes she was taken advantage of, it would be double jeopardy.
The best interest of the girl would be served at this time to let the matter drop until such a time that she makes issue of it or the statute of limitations runs out.

[zenbooty]

So.. If the parents had consented to the Child marrying the 22 year old and they got married and THEN had sex.. It's alright? .. If that's the case then what is the problem beforehand.Laws are black and white contructs, and inevitably when they are used to mitigate gray areas, there's going to be some questions to any outcome. But the fact is in most states Age of Consent laws are active until the marriage. I guess the legal assumption is that a crime was committed, and the family is dealing with it in the best manner they know how, but still she was not of age and not married when the act occured, which by legal definition makes it criminal.


And sorry about that zB .. I was being Sarcastic with my Entire post.Whoa. I completely missed that. Good though, I was starting to worry about you. :D


On a slightly similar not.. Can a 17 year old sleep with a 9 year old.. or is there a law against that? (Just wondering and chose 9 because its 8 years difference)Good question, is there a second line that separates older minors from messing with younger minors. There must be, because we've had cases of 13 and 14 year olds being punished for fiddling with small children (though usually there's violence involved as well.)

[jstreet]

Probably. That's really sad though. It disincentives pregnant teens to go to the dotor.My whole problem with abortion consent laws. Why civilization wants to return to back-alley medicine is beyond me.

[guiseppewv]

That would be a pederast.

Sorry, Fletch but you are mistaken :P. A pederast is a man who has sexual realtions with a boy. He is not a pederast but I think Hanerhan still is a pederast. :heh:

[chadlnc]

Ok, this is really off topic but it sort of applies. Now that she is married, in most states she is condsidered to be an adult and has the right of an adult. If they get divored in a few months would she still be considered an adult? I'm sure there is no answer on that, but my mind was wandering.

[InfiniteNothing]

are you saying parents can give consent for their 13 y/o daughter to have sex and that will make it legal?

i know they can give consent to the underage marriage in some states.

Legally, parents can give consent for pretty much anything like signing permission slips, consent for surgery, life support, kids can drink at pretty much any age in the privacy of their own home... etc

[Markel]

Legally, parents can give consent for pretty much anything like signing permission slips, consent for surgery, kids can drink at pretty much any age in the privacy of their own home... etc
I question whether this is true. If parents supply alcohol to underaged drinkers (with the exception of religious purposes, etc), the parents can be charged. If a 14-year-old girl begs a 22-year-old guy to have sex with her (and the parents approve) the guy still can (and should, imo) be charged with statutory rape (lawyers might be able to negotiate a reduced sentence, though). Someone granting permission to break the law doesn't make something permissible.

[cheapie]

13? i don't really even trust my 13yo neighbor to watch my kids while i'm gone. how in the world would i consider mature enough to get married and raise a child???

[Yossarian]

I question whether this is true. If parents supply alcohol to underaged drinkers (with the exception of religious purposes, etc)


Someone granting permission to break the law doesn't make something permissible.


Thats quite adouble standard. Basiclly that boils down to 'if you do it in the name of religion, it's alright'. I know thats not what you personally are saying, but that is how that can be interpreted

[InfiniteNothing]

I question whether this is true. If parents supply alcohol to underaged drinkers (with the exception of religious purposes, etc), the parents can be charged. If a 14-year-old girl begs a 22-year-old guy to have sex with her (and the parents approve) the guy still can (and should, imo) be charged with statutory rape (lawyers might be able to negotiate a reduced sentence, though). Someone granting permission to break the law doesn't make something permissible.

As long as the alcohol isn't making your kid delequent you're in the clear.

In terms of satutory rape, you say the guy can be charged, but isn't that the entire premise of the debate? Can you provide a successful case where something like this has happened?


13? i don't really even trust my 13yo neighbor to watch my kids while i'm gone. how in the world would i consider mature enough to get married and raise a child???

This isn't about your trust. If you don't trust your (nonexistent) 13 year old daughter then don't give consent. Otherwise I don't see how it affects you.

[ufcrusher]

Statutory rape is STATUTORY meaning that by the act alone it is illegal. It is presumed that the minor is not going to make a rational choice whether to have sex or not have sex. Furthermore, the states felt that it would be easy for an adult to exert undue influence on the minors decision.

Because of the statutory nature the fact that it was consenual has no consequence. There have been many instances where the "offender" and "victim" were in a relationship and just a little more than a year apart in age.

In fact, I know someone who was charged with Stat. rape when he was a Freshman in college for having sex with his girlfriend of 2 years who was still in highschool. The girls father had always hated the guy, felt he was scummy, and the second he turned 18 called the local PD on the matter. (I dont know the outcome, he was a year below me in school and not a friend of mine)

As for the age difference, many states implore a 5 year age difference test even for consensual sex. For example, some states have the age of consent as 16. Obviously they are a minor officially and would fall under the stat rape age, but if they were with a 20 year old the police would ignore it. (Check with your state laws to see the rules)

In most cases similar to this, they authorities hands are tied as there is no way they can prove that the parties had sex prior to the marriage. In this case, as she was pregnant at the time of the wedding, there is no issue with proving the sex. As such, it becomes a really simple case to prove.

[Markel]

Thats quite adouble standard. Basiclly that boils down to 'if you do it in the name of religion, it's alright'. I know thats not what you personally are saying, but that is how that can be interpreted
The law recognizes that a small amount of alcohol (wine) in a religious cermony (communion or perhaps some Jewish ceremonies that I'm not familiar with) are permissible for minors. However, providing anything more than that to someone under the drinking age can be chargeable, even if it is provided by the parents.

[CrystalDuck]

Was a crime committed? Yes. What should be done about it? Well, I don't know a lot about legal stuff, but what Grimm said made sense to me. Let the girl decide. If she doesn't have a problem with it until four years from now, let her deal with it then. Avoid double jeopardy and give them the chance to be happy.

[Sir_Froggy]

depends on the maturity of the kid. i know(knew) kids at 15-16 that were mature enough, and i know of people who are 30 that aren't :shrug:

YOU GROW UP! :mad:

[ialsohaveadream]

I question whether this is true. If parents supply alcohol to underaged drinkers (with the exception of religious purposes, etc), the parents can be charged.
Yup. It's not that it's legal for them to give alcohol to the kid, it's just that it's usually not a crime that's prosecuted because it's not reported.


The law recognizes that a small amount of alcohol (wine) in a religious cermony (communion or perhaps some Jewish ceremonies that I'm not familiar with) are permissible for minors. However, providing anything more than that to someone under the drinking age can be chargeable, even if it is provided by the parents.
Oh dear Lord, I agreed with Markel twice in a matter of minutes!

[InfiniteNothing]

A quick search on google revealed:

While the law recognises that parents may give their underage children a glass of beer or wine with dinner at home,
any liquor supply to a minor by a parent or other people in licensed premises is prohibited. This means that where
a family is dining at a licensed restaurant a parent cannot supply liquor to their underage children, or request staff to
do so
link (http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:eZXumLNIoZIJ:www.dgr.nsw.gov.au/IMAGES/PUBLICATIONS/Liquor%2520%26%2520Gaming/Numbered%2520-Information%2520Sheets/02/9_02.pdf+wine+with+dinner+minor&hl=en&client=safari)
Anyone have a more official source?

[Burzhui]

That would be a pederast.

she's not a boy :spock:

[Houdini]

A quick search on google revealed:

link (http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:eZXumLNIoZIJ:www.dgr.nsw.gov.au/IMAGES/PUBLICATIONS/Liquor%2520%26%2520Gaming/Numbered%2520-Information%2520Sheets/02/9_02.pdf+wine+with+dinner+minor&hl=en&client=safari)
Anyone have a more official source?

AFAIK under Louisiana law, people under the age of 21 can legally drink in restaurants, etc., only if accompanied by their parents. Those under 21 may also drink in a private residence. It was a type of compromise law. Until 1996, the drinking age in LA was 18. After the feds threatened to stop road funding, etc., the official age was raised to 21 with the preceding exceptions. Though I think those exceptions only count if the person is 18 y/o or older. Under 18 is sitll officially illegal, last I checked.

[Markel]

Oh dear Lord, I agreed with Markel twice in a matter of minutes!
Well, it's a good start! :)

[SnowSurfer]

ok i read through this whole topic looking for pictures of this loser and his 14 year old wife...yea im disappointed. anyways. i think that if the parents said it was ok the law should stay out of it

[Yossarian]

YOU GROW UP! :mad:
read the quote from Merlin in my sig :P

[nickel]

update


Bruning defends sex charge
By BUTCH MABIN / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning Wednesday stood by his decision to file a rape charge against a 22-year-old Falls City man who married his pregnant, 14-year-old girlfriend.

Bruning announced Tuesday his office had charged Matthew Koso with one count of first-degree sexual assault. The charge is a felony, punishable by up to 50 years in prison.

Koso reportedly began a sexual relationship with the girl when he was 19 and she was 12. They married May 3 in Hiawatha, Kan. The girl's baby is due next month.

Koso and the girl are living with his family in Falls City.

On Wednesday, Falls City attorney Willis Yoesel, who is representing Koso, questioned Bruning's decision to file the charge.

Yoesel said Koso has "accepted responsibility" for getting the girl pregnant. The couple and their families are "trying to make the best of a bad situation," he said.

"I don't know what the objective (of the charge) is," he said.

"I just don't think it makes any sense. My question is, ‘Why?'"

Responded Bruning: "Because in Nebraska we don't allow grown men to have sex with children.

"She (the girl) no doubt thinks she loves him. But we as a society decided that children cannot give their consent to certain acts."

Bruning said Richardson County Attorney Jeffrey Goltz was still reviewing the case when Bruning's office decided to intervene. He said Goltz had made no decision on whether to file a charge.

Goltz, through a spokeswoman, declined comment Wednesday.

Bruning said the relationship began when the girl was in seventh grade. He said Koso and the girl's older step- or half-brother were friends.

When the girl's mother became aware of the relationship, Bruning said, she tried to stop it. In September, she obtained a protection order in Richardson County District Court against Koso on behalf of her daughter.

But that did not end the relationship, Bruning said.

"She (the girl) would sneak out at night and have sex with him," Bruning said.

The mother withdrew the protection order in May after Koso and the girl married.

Bruning characterized the girl as "bright" and he rejected earlier characterizations of Koso as mentally challenged.

"He knew exactly what he was doing," Bruning said. "He's got a driver's license, a job. He drives to and from work.

"To say he's ‘slow,' I don't know what that means."

Yoesel on Wednesday called Koso mentally slow, but he said Koso's intellectual level would play no role in how the attorney prepared a defense. Koso's mental competence might only come into play at the potential sentencing, Yoesel said.

Koso's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 17 in Richardson County Court.

Kansas law permits people as young as 12 to get married with parental consent. Nebraska law prohibits marriage between juveniles 16 and younger, even with parental consent.

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2005/07/28/local/doc42e839a60ac64895862809.txt

[Burzhui]

this is a very touchy subject, should he be punished? i think a through testing should be conducted of both partners, see how mature the girl is, etc. some people are more mature at 13 than people at 25

[Thesifer]

Im still trying to figure this out .. If the 22 year old guy.. had gotten permission first.. and went to Kansas and married the 13 year old Girl.. And then they slept together.. Would it then be legal to sleep with a 13 year old girl? ..

[Grimm]

Im still trying to figure this out .. If the 22 year old guy.. had gotten permission first.. and went to Kansas and married the 13 year old Girl.. And then they slept together.. Would it then be legal to sleep with a 13 year old girl? ..
My understanding it that yes, it would be legal. The idea being that as a married couple they are prepared to deal with it and any consequences together.

[Markel]

Im still trying to figure this out .. If the 22 year old guy.. had gotten permission first.. and went to Kansas and married the 13 year old Girl.. And then they slept together.. Would it then be legal to sleep with a 13 year old girl? ..
I recall a fairly recent news story about some foreigners (may have been Cambodia) living in the US. In their culture, it was very common for girls to wed at the age of 14, but where they were living (as I recall) the minimum age for marriage was 16. As a result, many of these weddings would try to be hidden until the girl reached the age of 16, but if she became pregnant before that there could be problems.

As far as I can tell, many of the laws covering these things vary from state to state. The example I gave earlier of parents serving alcohol to underaged children may have been a bit inaccurate, as I found that some states (I think Massachusetts is one) permit this (but the parents would bear responsibility if there were any consequences resulting from the underaged drinker having an accident, etc.), whereas in others there are places where the priests won't even serve communion to anyone under the age of 21 because of some very strict state rules.