LINCOLN, Neb. -- A 22-year-old man faces criminal charges in Nebraska for having sex with an underage 13-year-old girl, although he legally married her in Kansas after she became pregnant.

The man's lawyer said the couple, with their families' support, "made a responsible decision to try to cope with the problem."

Matthew Koso, 22, was charged Monday with first-degree sexual assault, punishable by up to 50 years in prison. He was released on $7,500 bail pending an Aug. 17 preliminary hearing.

After the girl became pregnant, her mother gave permission in May for Koso to take the young woman to Kansas, which allows minors to get married with parental consent. The girl is now 14 and seven months pregnant.

"The idea ... is repugnant to me," said Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning. "These people made the decision to send their ... 14-year-old daughter to Kansas to marry a pedophile."

He said the marriage is valid, thanks to the "ridiculous" Kansas law, "but it doesn't matter. I'm not going to stand by while a grown man ... has a relationship with a 13-year-old -- now 14-year-old -- girl."

Bruning, who has said he will seek a second term in 2006, has aggressively prosecuted sex crimes against children since he was elected in 2002

The couple were married in May by a judge in Hiawatha, Kan., just across the state line from Falls City.

Nebraska requires people to be at least 17 before they can marry.

Kansas law, however, sets no minimum marriage age, although case law sets the minimum age at 14 for boys and 12 for girls. The marriage must be approved by both parents or guardian, or by a district court judge, said Whitney Watson, spokesman for Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline. A judge also must approve if only one parent approves.

From: [identity profile] ember-burn.livejournal.com

Creepy


That's just creepy. I think I would have to agree with the lawyers in Nebraska that he should be prosecuted. I don't think the mother should have been able to take her daughter across state lines in order for her to get married to the guy. I'm still up in the air about what age I think boys and girls should be considered mature enough to make the decision to have sex, but I'm pretty sure that 13 is under MY personal comfort level. I wonder what the rest of the family situation is (socioeconomic status, if the daughter/wife has/had been abused, what the circumstances of her meeting and having sex with the guy were, etc.) Some of that information MIGHT change my mind, but probably not.

From: [identity profile] opheliasclone.livejournal.com

Re: Creepy


I doubt she was or is mature enough to make an informed decision about sex. The fact that she got pregnant at such an early age seems to indicate that she didn't fully understand the consequences or what preventive measures she might take.

She *certainly* isn't mature enough to make up her own mind about marriage, especially not under the circumstance that she's pregnant is and no doubt being pressured by the parents she was financially dependent upon and the 'boyfriend' who coerced her into sex in the first place. Without prosecution, this girl's life will be decided for her before she realizes she has any choice about the matter.

From: [identity profile] erica-roo.livejournal.com


I am oh so proud of my state at this moment.... *seething sarcasm*

From: [identity profile] cptn-oblivious.livejournal.com


I just hope that when the divorce/annulment goes through she gets enough money for therapy for her and the kid.
.

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