Retroactive

Apparently, the D.A. in the Genarlow Wilson case is releasing the video of Wilson's "crime" in order to turn public opinion against Wilson. And apparently this strategy has worked on some Georgia state legislators who were considering helping Wilson.

Wilson presumably wasn't a saint in that video (I haven't seen it, for fear of federal child pornography laws), and perhaps wasn't going to grow up to become a saint. But if the crime for which he was charged was consensual underage oral sex and not anything else that may show up on the tape, the other stuff on the tape shouldn't prejudice those who believe ten years for oral sex is too harsh. If the penalty for a crime is reduced by a legislature, it ought to apply retroactively so that, whereever possible, those convicted of the crime receive the lighter penalty.