In January of '17, I wrote this post here which began like this…
A writer I know — a man of some prominence in the comic book field — was recently arrested and charged with some heinous crimes involving child pornography and perhaps sexual contact with minors…pretty creepy, serious accusations. Those who know him are shocked because, at least running into him at conventions, he seemed like a pretty smart, decent fellow and we saw nothing to suggest this kind of thing. He is pleading Not Guilty and perhaps that is exactly what he is. I would certainly be pleased to hear that…about him or about anyone. One does not like the idea that any human beings commit such deeds.
On the 'net, a lot of folks who know him or know of him are expressing shock, which is a natural reaction. A lot are reminding each other about "innocent until proven guilty" which is fine, but I'd take it one notch farther. I would remind you that we do not have to decide whether we think he's innocent or guilty at all. We're not a jury and we haven't heard the details or seen any evidence. We will probably never see or hear all of whatever there may be.
The writer in question was — as most followers of the comic book industry assumed — Gerard Jones, who has authored at times, Green Lantern, The Shadow and some other fine comics. One I liked an awful lot was one of his first, which he co-wrote with Will Jacobs. It was a detective spoof called The Trouble With Girls and I thought it was so clever, I wrote the foreword for a collection of it. Gerry also wrote some good books about comic book history.
Last May, he changed his plea of Not Guilty, removing the "Not." This morning, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison for possession and distribution of child pornography. Since I don't know precisely what he did beyond what was stated in the previous sentence, I can't say if that was a fair and just sentence…and again, I don't have to have an opinion on that. The judge in his trial had to have an opinion. Gerry and those around him have to have their opinions. So do others who were in or out of that courtroom. I don't.
Well, I do have two opinions. One is that it's sad…sad that he did what he did, sad that anyone would do what he did. "Sad" is not the only appropriate emotion — I could do anger, outrage, frustration, disgust, etc. "Sad" is just the one that hits me at the moment.
The other thought: It is significant that Gerry seemed to so many of us like a bright, decent guy. He did not seem like the kind of guy who'd wind up behind bars for kiddy porn…and we need to know that and remember that. There are a lot of people out there doing this kind of crap who don't seem like the kind of people who'd do this crap.