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RPH
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interesting news story of man with HIV?
#227890 - 06/13/07 11:22 AM
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Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Exposing Woman to HIV
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
ST. JOSEPH, Missouri — A man who spent five years in jail for exposing sexual partners to HIV was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for knowingly exposing another woman to the virus.Sean L. Sykes, 33, was found guilty of having unprotected sex with a St. Joseph woman without telling her he was HIV-positive. Testimony at his trial — which was closed to the public to protect witnesses — indicated that he had exposed at least eight women to HIV. At least three have tested positive.
"I think it's fairly clear he is a very dangerous individual," Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins said after the sentencing. "If he is not in prison, he would likely continue to spread HIV."
Sykes was convicted in 1997 under a 1988 Missouri law that made it a felony to knowingly expose someone to HIV. He was given the maximum sentence of 10 years, but was paroled in 2003.
Scroggins said Sykes has had "numerous" other unknown sexual contacts since he first tested positive 16 years ago.
"It's not an immediate death sentence," said assistant prosecutor Kathleen Fisher, "but that's what he's done to these people, his victims."
A 29-year-old woman who contracted HIV in the mid-1990s after having sex with Sykes testified at the sentencing hearing that her life had been destroyed by the virus.
The mother of two children — neither of whom has tested positive for the disease — said doctors have given her about two years to live.
"My family has left me — they're scared of me," she said. "When I found out that Sean was on trial again for this, it drove me crazy. The main question is why? Why is he doing this?"
Prosecutors said Sykes began having a sexual relationship with a woman in 2004, never telling her that he had HIV.
Sykes contended at his trial that the woman knew he was HIV-positive. He apologized Tuesday for his behavior.
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Any reason you felt the need to plaster this story all over the board without even a comment as to your thoughts on this?
Personally I feel that non-disclosure is wrong. But I'm not the moral police. I'll leave that to Karma. We don't live in a perfect world. People have lied since Adam's and Eve's first conversations. That's why taking personal responsibility for yourself is so important.
Besides, they only got him because he didn't disclose, not because he dared to have sex when he is positive. What if he hadn't known. The women would have become just as infected.
So if we are now going to give life sentences for passing on a disease my question is when are they going after the guy that decided to spread his even more infectious drug resistant TB all around to unsuspecting people?
I'm sure he didn't inform a single travel companion that they were at risk for a deadly disease.
At least the women had the choice of taking personal resonsiblity for themselves and choose to use condoms. What choice did the airline passengers have? Not to breathe?
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RPH
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My reason for posting the story is obvious by your angry response, with 1.9 million diagnosed HIV+ today, one is not alone in this big island we are marooned on, this story is not really note worthy too me but for one important fact, if you read the whole story which I copied and pasted from the news story, he claimed the "accuser knew he was HIV+' whether they did or not is irrelevant, since moral too the story is those who date with impunity, have sex with impunity and think no consequences can occur might just want too read this story, obviously no one is the moral police, but if you remember in 1980's era there was a segment of society which demanded all HIV+ be rounded up, incarcerated/isolated in "TB like Sanitariums for the HIV+", and fortunately the sane won out and this did not occur, just as this case you quote shows how irrational people can act when fear over takes them, do not think this cannot one day occur too us all..., being we are the modern day equivalent of "biblical lepers" whom in bible times were deemed "cursed by god for sin" and cast out of society as outcasts deserving of their illness as proof of sin...! You can rant and rave at me all you like, but being HIV+ and not knowing is a legal defence, no one can be convicted of a criminal act until they are tested, notified and diagnosed, so no one HIV+ and undiagnosed as too worry about this case, but if you or anyone is dating and thinking that it cannot happen too you, one might rethink, since I am a firm believer in if you do date the HIV- a "notorized statement you told them" is like a pre-nupital agreement maybe unromantic but a definite protection against a false accusation from a angry and vengefull ex...!
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You know RPH I like your style. Just saying, D
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I'm angry? You just let loose a whole lot of venom. My point was that if the courts are going to go after people with HIV, then they damn well should go after other people with other diseases that are MORE deadly also.
Since you disagree with that I guess you also are saying that it's always the pozzie's responsiblity to protect the status of a negative partner and that the neggies don't have to take responsibility for their own health or actions? I don't happen to agree with that either.
Like I said. I personally think not disclosing is wrong, but until this country starts realizing that it takes two to tango people with HIV will always be on the losing end. Cases like this just point out that inequity.
I am well aware that not knowing is a defense. That wasn't my point. My point was it is because people don't always know their status that people that THINK they are HIV- should always assume their partner is HIV+ until proven otherwise and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH.
If you want to serosort that's up to you. If you want signed, notarized agreements, that's your call. If you want to look down your nose at people that 'have sex with impunity', your choice.
Oh, and I don't feel like a leper. Sorry you do, it seems to be taking quite a toll on you. I guess feeling like an outcast would cause someone to be angry. Try letting some of that anger go, maybe you'll feel better about your life.
So FLA....sorry to hear how you feel about this. Thought you were handling your postive status better. Didn't know you felt as angry and considered yourself to be cursed by God for sin, as this new poster, whom by the way has only posted one thing. This article which he/she spammed across the boards.
Just saying....
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RPH
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thank you D, of course no everyone sees the information as what it is merely news, some think too attack me for posting it, but I noted on poz magazine web page they also posted this story on their news section...., this is not the first time I have seen a person accused of non disclosure getting a lengthy sentence, and not the first time I saw them state they had disclosed but one has too remember imagine going in front of a jury of 12 HIV negative people and try too convince them a person could be so madly in love they would ignore your disclosure and date you anyway, but no one seems too understand love can be blind and it does happen but I surely would never depend on my freedom on someone telling the truth when they might be angry, vindictive of a love breakup, divorce etc, there is a old corny saying that a thin line exists between love and hate..., and one might say it is not true but then one sees such bitter divorces, romantic breakups and one has too wonder at some time they loved one another but no longer.., so this guy might have really disclosed and just been fighting a loosing battle too prove he did, I chose too date exclusive HIV+ in 2001, and thank my lucky stars for this decision, am sure many did not and will have too spend all their lives in fear of some ex using the legal system for vengence...or too settle a divorce suit in their favor..!
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RPH
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I am not angry, I am not the one using profanity, demanding others be persecuted for being TB infected, no quite the opposite, your the one angry, maybe fearful of being indicted by some angry ex lover, thats your "choice and cross too bear" for me I am quite happy, this story only proved one thing too me, that my choice in 2001 when I was diagnosed too date only HIV+ is a good one, and do not think they cannot track and prove ones particular HIV strain is theirs, a very well know and publically shown case on court television where a medical doctor injected his ex girlfiend with HIV tainted blood from one of his HIV patients was tracked and DNA typed too help convict him of her infection he got life in prison as well, and Australia is using DNA too track those who have unprotected sex and infect the those they knowingly infect, its only a matter of time before the US systems become as demanding, this story and sub-stories of the woman and her kids will have the law and order crowd demanding simliar laws, actions.., how you view yourself is your opinion, I do not view myself as a biblical leper, that is how society views us in general and not all, since the real christians see us in a much more sympathetic view, and do not condemn us as sinners per se, but you seem too have some issues of anger, and my view is your attacking me is just proof your the one with issues..., I merely posted a news story and you went off in a tirade of anger why I did not post my views on the story..! You likely enjoy attacking posters of views you disagree with, that is your right, and priviledge, but you cannot bait me into using profanity, anger since I am not angry at anyone, do not even blame the person whom infected me, long ago I laid the blame on me for I knew better..
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Yeah, OK
Whatever.
Keep believing that you are a happy, happy guy.
Ta
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RPH
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Yes I would say I am the only one qualified too determine if I am happy or not, since I know my life and you do not, but then I think you simply just enjoy attacking views you disagree with. Have you written Poz Magazine yet and attacked them for posting this very same story on their main news page? I am sure you can accuse them too of being unhappy, angry and insensitive too your views, but then your like the lone ranger, it seems..., many people like you exist, and you claim too think non disclosure is wrong but you become angry at news of someone running afoul of the legal system for the very thing you claim too view as wrong. I would never venture too guess whether you or anyone else is happy or unhappy, too me that is truly the most foolish thing I can imagine..., since no one but the individual can determine this.., but then again your opinions are yours, and you have the right too express them. I am quite happy, am quite at peace with my situation, came too this place a long time ago, after much reflection and inner soul searching.., my view on this news story is really unimportant, since I chose long ago too not travel the road of dating anyone but the HIV+, so I have no angry ex-lovers hunting for me, or wanting vengence via the legal system, but not all have this luxury, and I sympathize with them, but we all make our own choices, for the good or bad, and anyone with a less than clean past on this disclosure issue will have too worry for their entire lives if someone will hunt them down and seek legal retribution, just as this guy, was in prison and getting out and a ex-lover came in and sought retribution and vengence.., the moral of this story is truly over your head..., and you can live in delusion as long as you like that society will be fair and punish the TB infected fellow before they try and punish those with HIV as long as you wish, reality is it all boils down too many uninfected people will demand both TB/HIV too be punished, persecuted, etc..., you remind me of the pot calling the kettle black...., I do not judge either this man with TB or this man with HIV for non disclosure, both simply have had bad luck, fate too be infected and made bad choices maybe, or maybe not, since the TB fellow has a defence of he was not told he was infectious, and this HIV fellow claims he told his ex-lover, but it all boils down too whom does one believe, and I for one do not envy anyone sitting before a jury of non TB/HIV people expecting sympathy or mercy, as exampled by your view of this TB fellow is guilty even before a trial has occured, you doing the very same thing many do "convicting merely on suspicion" which proves my point, I made the right decision too not travel the road of dating the HIV negative, too many complications, too many pit falls one can fall into...., you keep on doing what ever it is your doing, disclosing, not disclosing, etc, only you know your inner demons, and only you will pay the consequences in the end...
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AIDS2HIV
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well actually.....since the debate has been brought up....let me throw 2 cents in and yall can make change for me, just leave me with the receipt....
As far as who's responsibility it is, to disclose, it is the pozzie's, because they have the disease to disclose about..
who has the responsibility of protecting oneself against HIV, or other STD's each and everyone....
In the USA, pozzie's are also OBLIGATED BY LAW to disclose to thier sexual partners, responsibility or not....and what RPH is saying is true...
As much as ya may not want to believe it Anon One, the world we live in is filled with deceit, hate, andunnaccountability....and here in Ohio...the first thing I was handed was a copy of the disclosure, followed by a form to have my sexual partners sign stating they have been made aware of my Poz status, and cannot hold me liable after signing this statement, and having sex with me......As sad as it is, It's the safest thing for a positive person to do......
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You might fool others, but you aint foolin' me. Take the Test...Take Control*
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TRex
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I am in agreement with Anon in that we do need to take responsibility for our own actions and our own health. I also agree that the man who was HIV positive was wrong for not disclosing it. The burden is on both people for having unprotected sex. We like to think everyone is forthcoming but certainly know this is not the case. I, too, DO NOT feel I am a social leper and no one will ever convince me of that. If you choose to put yourself in that category then that is a choice, but its a shame. As Positive people we should help dispell all the ignorance that surrounds this disease not feel ashamed of ourselves. I am a hetero women in her 50's that got this from a monogamous relationship. He is still running around having unprotected sex with other women. I learned a very unwanted, hard lesson..but take accountability for my part in this: too much trust; not enough condoms forever.
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Anon, One I am handling my status just fine, thank you. Do I care what you think?????? NOPE...... Maybe instead of throwing insults and accusations you should take a midol and chill. Knowledge is power, whether you see it or not. Who exactly are you, and do I care???? Again, the answer is NOPE.... You have spewed your nonsense, feelings and opinions all over this board. All I did was say, I like how he handled this issue for himself. Had nothing to do with me or you for that matter. You blew it up to be something negative about you. Go back to your hole and do us all a favor and cover it up. The only one spreading nasty venom would be you.... So look in the mirror and focus on how you can better yourself for yourself and leave the rest of us, who by the way did not ask for now do we need your input to live productive well rounded and honest lives. You didn't read the by line you just started on what this had to do with you, so ignorant. No wonder due to people like you there is a stigma attached to this disease. Good luck to you.. D
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[quote]Anon, One I am handling my status just fine, thank you. Do I care what you think?????? [/quote]
LOL. Obviously you do.
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For a woman you really are thick (the obvious was the answer I gave), but I guess I should expect that from ignorance. LOL.....
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alive2
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this action is unacceptable on a moral stand,but as a2h stated,its up to all of us to protect ourselves,so we know were safe.this action only brings bad news for all of us doing the correct thing.also it makes it hard for the correct numbers of positiveas in the worldso the vast majority of people may be infected leading to wrong numbers and a heathcare system to counter it corectly by providing enough money where its needed.just my opinion
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