Community Corner
Appeals Court to Hear Arguments in Michelle Kosilek Sex Change Case
A federal appeals court will hear arguments in the state's appeal against Michelle Kosilek.
The state will have a chance to argue against convicted murderer and former Mansfield resident Michelle Kosilek's demand for a federally funded sex change when the case goes to a federal appeals court today according to NECN.
In Sept. 2012, U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf ordered the state to pay for a sex change requested by Kosilek but the state has since appealed the hearing.
Wolf ruled that Kosilek is suffering from gender identity disorder and the operation is the only proper treatment. In addition, Wolf said to deny Kosilek the surgery would violate the prisoner's protection from cruel and unusual punishment. The decision is being appealed by the state.
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Kosilek, who is currently serving a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering his wife in 1990 and dumping the body at the Emerald Square Mall, changed his legal name from Robert to Michelle almost 20 years ago and is living at MCI-Norfolk state prison.
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