GA - Man charged with child molestation after asking about girl's panties

[not_my_kids]

He's still in Fulton County Jail (since 2/22) with no bail set. There most be more than the news reported...

http://inmates.fultonsheriff.net/PublicBookings_list.asp?simpleSrchTypeComboNot=&a=integrated&id=1&criteria=and&type1=&value11=2011-2-22+0:0:0&field1=Date_Added&option1=Equals&not1=&type2=&value21=benson&field2=LName&option2=Contains&not2=

Sorry for the double post, but a lot of what Benson said in the articles doesn't make much sense...Maybe he admitted to other, more serious offenses that they are trying to verify.

 

[belimom]

Sorry for the double post, but a lot of what Benson said in the articles doesn't make much sense...Maybe he admitted to other, more serious offenses that they are trying to verify.

So he's still in custody for 'child molestation' but I can't get past this.

Police said the girl was not hurt or touched by Benson.

Read more: http://www.gadailynews.com/news/630...g-toddler-at-chastain-park.html#ixzz1FRiMdSoH

 

[belimom]

I googled a little and found an appeal in which the court's decision quoted/debated whether or not physical contact was necessary. The case was different than this one but here are the quotes, from other cases the court cites in upholding the original decision (redacted):

In reaching that decision, this court relied in part on Z******-S******, which refused to limit the term “sexual abuse of a minor” to only those offenses involving physical contact. 214 F.3d at 605. “Since psychological harm can occur without physical contact, a distinction based only on physical contact would miss the essential nature of ‘sexual abuse.’”
..........
In that case, this court reaffirmed its holding in I******-F***** “that the phrase ‘sexual abuse of a minor’ is defined broadly to include not only those crimes that involve sexual contact with a minor but also those crimes that involve sexual conduct in the presence of a minor.”

http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/09/09-51097-CR0.wpd.pdf

So my questions still are:

1) was there any sexual gratification from his question?
2) was there any other lewd behavior beside the comments?

I'm just still trying to wrap my head around this one. Again, it sounds as if the man had some ill intentions but this is going to set a bad precedent if he is convicted. It will open the door for other cases involving comments, some which really may be innocent. JMHO

 

[MorenoI]

A man cleared of child molestation charges has been rearrested in a controversy over his encounter with a toddler.

The 65-year-old suspect, Danny Benson, was originally arrested after police said he approached the 2-year-old and her mother at Chastain Park on Feb. 22.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27370429/detail.html

 

[peeples]

I don't know what to think.. about this guy having perverted intent but i do find it appalling the DA went behind the judges back after the judge ruled to drop the charges....

 

[belimom]

I'm puzzled also, peeples... Here's is our other thread on this case:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129654&highlight=stone+mountain

 

[Salem]

Bumping for merge.

Salem

 

[B00kw0rm]

Just an FYI. It's very easy to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Georgia.

It's apparently very easy to get a permit to carry a weapon at all in Georgia. My completely blind cousin has a permit to carry a gun.

Back on topic, I heard about this when it first happened and I've been iffy about that child molestation charge from the get go. I remember saying to my grandmother the night I saw it on the news "That guys a creep, but that charge will never stick." This is just a very odd case.

 

[angelmom]

I don't know what to think.. about this guy having perverted intent but i do find it appalling the DA went behind the judges back after the judge ruled to drop the charges....

And Fulton DA Paul Howard is a total media ho...und. Just sayin'. :innocent: