If you think 17 year olds are innocent children who shouldn't be burdened with sexuality, you should have gone to high school. The girl and her mother testified no abuse was taking place so it was a consensual relationship between two sexually mature adults. Her later marriage to him confirms that.

The age gap is certainly unusual but it's perfectly legal in the rest of the developed world. Calling it pedophilia is ridiculous and if anything, USA's ultra-conservative consent laws are to blame here. I'm sure many bible thumpers will throw a fit when they hear the age of consent in most of Europe is 14-16.

If you think 17 year olds are innocent children who shouldn't be burdened with sexuality, you should have gone to high school. The girl and her mother testified no abuse was taking place so it was a consensual relationship between two sexually mature adults. Her later marriage to him confirms that.

Calling it pedophilia is ridiculous and if anything, USA's ultra-conservative consent laws are to blame here. I'm sure many bible thumpers will throw a fit when they hear the age of consent in most of Europe is 14-16.