Sexsomnia, in the courtroom - 6.1.2007.1

Well imagine my shock and amazement. Way back in October I happened upon an odd piece of news.

“Now I’m sure almost everyone has no clue what this is. Neither did I until I just read about it. It’s a rare condition that is similar to sleep walking. Except in this case ‘sufferers’ make advances, and follow through, while completely asleep. While first thought to be very rare, some researchers think its more common than that.”

I went on to say,

“…On one hand it sounds like a convenient excuse to act in a manner without owning up to what is really wanted. “I never would ask you to do that! I had to be asleep.” On the other hand it give creeps an excuse for boorish or worse behavior…”

It would seem that I am correct. What is it I got so very right? Sexsomnia. For those unfamiliar with this “affliction” it seems that, similar to sleep walking, those with this condition have sex. This can be with their partner, a stranger, at home or out in public. Supposedly the sleeper has no control over their actions.

I speculated that the research being done in October was a precursor to some legal case an attorney was preparing for. Lo and behold I was not wrong. On the 23rd of May, Mr. Scott Axelburg used this defense to justify placing his hands down the pants of a 16-year-old babysitter.

Now the concept is sketchy enough on its own. Considering the fact that probably tens of millions, if not more over the centuries, have sleptwalked or observed someone do so I’m shocked that there isn’t more reports of this if it actually occurs. But I don’t think it occurs.

I think this is another excuse defense. Something that a lawyer can use, filled with quasi-science and almost facts, that will cause a less discerning jury to pause and think there could be doubt of guilt. That’s all they need. Plausible doubt and their client gets off, or is sent to some mental facility for 60 days and then released back into the general population.

Some things in life are just to silly to be believed, and with good cause. This sounds just like one of those items. Sadly there just isn’t much interest in the media to cover this. Even worse there is enough time and access on the internet that sick individuals can find these quasi-serious research reports and use them to their advantage.

This is what I think, what do you think?