HIV man sent to jail for having unprotected sex
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Washington - In the first sentencing of its kind in the US, a man infected with the HIV virus has been jailed for nine and a half years for having unprotected sex with a teenage girl, writes David Usborne.
Alberto Gonzalez, 28, was convicted in Portland, Oregon, of attempted murder on the grounds that he knew he was exposing the girl to the HIV virus when they had intercourse. The girl in the case has tested negative for the HIV virus but two of Gonzalez's former sex partners have tested HIV-positive and one died of Aids earlier this year. The prosecution said he should be jailed because he was a menace to society. The case is considered important because it marks the first time such a judgment has been handed down on the basis of existing criminal laws in the US. Several states have moved recently to draft laws specifically to address problems related to the sexual habits of HIV carriers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments