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KS bill stemming from controversial ruling tabled

By Brian Hagen

02/26/2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas House committee rejected a law proposed by Attorney General Derek Schmidt after a county judge called a young girl an "aggressor" in a sex crime.

The House committee voted Monday to table the bill, which would prevent judges from reducing a sentence if they found a child victim younger than 14 was an aggressor in such crimes.

The bill was in response to outcry after Leavenworth County District Judge Michael Gibbens sentenced a 67-year-old man in December to less than six years in prison for soliciting a 13-year-old on Facebook. The judge said the victim and another young girl were "more aggressor than a participant" in the case.

The Wichita Eagle reports committee members said the legislation was well-intentioned but judges must have discretion in such cases.

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