In 2006, Kansas legislators passed Jessica’s Law to give harsher penalties for people convicted of sexually molesting children. Public defender Lacy Gilmour argued that, with people now facing 25 years to life in prison, the courts should more closely examine the mental state of the accusers.
The law is so new, however, there are no appellate cases to help guide judges in such requests. Prosecutor Justin Edwards said he’s only seen such motions granted twice in his nine years on the job.