New York Man Who Knowingly Infected Women With HIV Denied Parole
A New York state parole board yesterday denied parole to Nushawn Williams, an HIV-positive man who knowingly had unprotected sex with as many as 48 women, infecting at least 13, the Associated Press reports. Williams, who also went by the name Shyteek Johnson, is serving four to 12 years for second-degree rape, reckless endangerment and sale of a controlled substance and will not be eligible for parole for another two years. Yesterday the two-person parole panel told Williams that during his parole interview he was "devoid of virtually any appropriate insight" into his behavior and that his "sexually perverse and predatory behavior ... clearly illustrates [his] threat to public safety." They also noted that he has experienced "numerous" disciplinary problems while incarcerated. According to authorities, nearly 1,400 people in Chautauqua County, mostly young adults and teenagers, were tested for HIV after officials warned that anyone with whom Williams had sex or anyone who had sex with one of his partners could have contracted HIV. In 1998, state lawmakers were encouraged by the case to amend state law to make HIV a reportable disease, the Associated Press reports. People testing positive for HIV are now required to provide authorities with the names of their sexual and drug partners so that the partners can be notified (Associated Press, 8/2).
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