NH- Sex offender says he'll move, regrets attaching his name to legal challenge

A note about the feelings of Mr. Jennings, throughout history there have been those who have fought for civil rights of many and differing causes. Mr. Jennings has now added his name to that long growing list that keeps this nation free and the American dream live. Unfortunately the fight does take its toll on many but everyone should feel proud that he has stood up and fought for the rights, I know he has my commendation and total respect.

11-19-2008 New Hampshire:

DOVER — A registered sex offender challenging the city's sex offender ordinance plans on leaving the city, regardless of the outcome of the court case seeking the ordinance's dismissal.

Last year, 42-year-old Richard Jennings attached his name to a New Hampshire Civil Liberties challenge against the city's sex offender ordinance, which prohibits registered sex offenders from residing within 2,500 feet of a school or day care center.

Jennings and his fiancée, Janice Sessler, sat down with Foster's on Tuesday to speak publicly for the first time about his challenge to the city's ordinance. He said he now regrets attaching his name to the challenge because of the repercussions that decision has had on him and his family. But he doesn't regret taking a stand against an ordinance he believes violates the constitutional rights of many.

"I wanted to be the first sex offender to stand up for himself, now people think I'm defending all sex offenders," Jennings said. "I do regret it, but I want it (the challenge) to help other sex offenders in my shoes."

Jennings was charged with violating the ordinance in November 2007 when he moved in with Sessler at 175 Locust St., which is located within 2,500 feet of My School Kindergarten at 118 Locust St.

From the couch of Sessler's Locust Street apartment, Jennings laid out his argument for why the ordinance doesn't work.

"The reason I challenged the ordinance is because people are under the impression that all sex offenders are dangerous and I will admit that some are," Jennings said. "I don't blame people for having that impression, but some don't pose a threat against children."

Jennings said he's not a risk to reoffend and would never hurt a child.

"I made a bad decision over eight years ago, I've done my time and I'm trying to move on with my life," he said.

Jennings was convicted in May 2000 of two counts of felonious sexual assault for having sex with a 15-year-old girl, he said. In describing the encounter, Jennings said, "one thing led to another and it happened."

He served two years in prison but didn't have to take part in an extensive sex-offender treatment program because he wasn't viewed as a threat, he said. Since the victim was 15 at the time of the offense, Jennings is required to register as a sex offender for life.

The problem with registering as a sex offender for life is that you become bunched in with violent pedophiles that do pose a risk to children, according to Jennings.

"I never caused physical or mental harm to anyone," Jennings said. "There are some decent men and women who are registered sex offenders because they made one bad decision."

The city's ordinance is geared toward all registered sex offenders and has made it difficult for Jennings and Sessler to find housing in the city that doesn't fall under the ordinance.

Jennings added the publicity from his challenge to the ordinance has also made it difficult for him to get a job, made neighbors hostile toward Sessler, and has caused Sessler's 14-year-old daughter to lose friends.

"The biggest problem is society is in fear of all sex offenders, and I just wish society would stop and find out more about each individual case. I wish more information was put out there that could separate us (sex offenders) more."

Sessler said she met Jennings shortly before his conviction and the two have been together since.

"I knew there was a good man behind him, he just needed a good woman," she said. "He helped me raise my daughter and has never reoffended."

Sessler's 14-year-old daughter, who Sessler asked not to be named, said she has never felt uncomfortable around Jennings.

"He's strict but he's not a weirdo," she said.

The case against the sex offender ordinance went before District Court Judge Mark Weaver on Oct. 2 and a decision has yet to be issued.

During the five-hour hearing in October, New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union Attorney Barbara Keshen argued that such ordinances can sometimes make the situation worse because it could result in some sex offenders going underground and not registering with police and could shift them to other communities.

Jennings echoed that sentiment.

"If a sex offender has nowhere to go, they can start doing desperate things," he said. "They could give false names and addresses just to get an apartment in the area."

City officials say the ordinance has made the community safer and, during October's hearing, offered up statistics showing a reduction of registered sex offenders.

Dover Police Chief Anthony Colarusso stressed the ordinance doesn't restrict registered sex offenders from living in the city; it only restricts them from certain areas.

"These type of measures are always debatable, but that doesn't mean you don't try the best you can to protect children in the city," he said.

No matter what decision is reached with the ordinance, Jennings and Sessler say they are ready to move on. If a judge dismisses the ordinance, Sessler says she'll stay in the city through the winter; if a judge upholds the ordinance, Sessler says she'll be gone sooner.

Jennings currently spends his days at Sessler's Locust Street home, but says he returns to his mother's Epping home at night to sleep and to avoid being arrested again. A sex offender residing, living and sleeping in the city longer than five days is required to register with police.

Jennings recently finished serving a six-month jail sentence for living at the Locust Street address and failing to register with police in April. Sessler was recently given a suspended six-month jail sentence and community service for helping Jennings elude authorities in April by not answering the door when police came to arrest him.

"I don't want child molesters near schools," Jennings said. "There should be some law that prevents them from being there, but the ordinance is not the answer because it violates the rights of those who aren't a danger to children." ..News Source.. by AARON SANBORN