B'Way Beauty Sex Bust- Page 3

[bwaymemoir]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 1:46pm

Any kind of sex between a minor and an adult is illegal. This is true in every state, although the age of consent changes, in New York, I believe it is 17. Even if the minor "wants it". Here's what I found on the internet:

What is Statutory Rape?

It’s a crime committed when an adult has sexual intercourse with a minor. Who is a minor? Anyone under the age of 18, (or 16; check this list and the current laws in your state.)


What can happen if an adult has sex with a minor? Even if he is your boyfriend? If reported, that person may be arrested, tried in a court of law, and sent to jail. What happens if the sex is consensual and one is a minor? Even if they both agree to have sex, it is still statutory rape.

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statutory_rape

Updated On: 12/6/06 at 01:46 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 2:58pm

"Sodomy laws vary from state to state,"

Sodomy is not illegal. The United States Supreme Court overturned ALL sodomy laws in Lawrence v. Texas (U.S. 2003). However, any sexual act with a minor who has not reached the age of consent (variable by state) is illegal.

"Who is a minor? Anyone under the age of 18, (or 16; check this list and the current laws in your state.)"

A minor, by legal definition, is always under the age of 18. The age of consent may be as young as 14 in certain states, but that in no way would make them an adult. Even an age of consent law at 16 would still make the particpant a minor. In fact, it's just these variations that make Federal Laws clash with state laws: The new child protection act that Mark Foley wrote made it a crime to have sexually explicit conversations online with minors (defined as anyone under 1. Which means that in states where the age of consent is under 18, it's a crime to talk about having sex, but not a crime to actually have sex!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 3:31pm

I despise the Post, though I know neither of the parties, I find it interesting that she shows up just short of the legal time limit. That's a bit strange . . .

Ahhh, Mr. Rochester . . . .

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 3:47pm

c'mon, you guys, it's james barbour! he's on broadway! she had to have totally been asking for it. and please, showing up just before the statute of limitations runs out? she's obviously out to ruin his career. he probably didn't call afterwards or something. you know how victims of molestation hate that.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 3:49pm

Like Lisa Lampanelli says, "It's not rape if the guy is hot!"

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 3:54pm

Oh my god, that is soooooo awful, munk.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 3:57pm

The whole situation is disgusting. If Barbour is guilty of this he should be punished. Regardless of how promiscuous they are, or if they fling themselves at you, you have to realize that they are 15 and that it is illegal.

When I taught high school trust me I had to deal on several occasions with female students who had "crushes" on their theatre teacher. Most of them were very attractive and had they been older and not students of mine would have easily caused me to be attracted to them. However, there was no urge that would cause me to cross that student/teacher boundary and break the law. It can be scary though. If it turns out that this girl is lying and just trying to make money or a name for herself, then I hope she is punished. You just hope that someone wouldn't be that desperate for a career in theatre.

Finally -- the one thing in the article I find odd is this request:

Fearing there may be more victims, authorities have asked that anyone with any possible sex-assault allegations against Barbour contact prosecutors at [phone].

How many people do they think have been molested by him? Enough where they need to print a phone number and ask for callers? 'If you've been molested by James Barbour call now! Operators are standing by!'

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 3:58pm

I feel sorry for this girl if it's true, and the responses on this board are for the most part, pretty gross.

No wonder most girls never say anything about sexual abuse- because the fear people will accuse them of being liars... I guess they're right.


Updated On: 12/6/06 at 03:58 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:03pm

"No wonder most girls never say anything about sexual abuse- because the fear people will accuse them of being liars... I guess they're right."

In general I would agree with you, but waiting 5 years after the fact (and prior to the statute of limitations expiration date), combined with her career aspirations and the fact he lives out of state, makes it extremely suspicious.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:04pm

'If you've been molested by James Barbour call now! Operators are standing by!'

FTW!!!!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:07pm

knowing a few who but for the grace of god went they, they'll need the operators standing by.

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:30pm

Maybe she waited 5 years because she was embarressed or too young to deal with it, and that's why she waited.

I personally don't see her accussing someone of sexual assault as a way to help her career- it's not like anyone on this site is reaching out in sympathy, or that casting directors are going to say- "hey- that's the girl who was molested by the Beast- that's sure going to sell seats."

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:30pm

Well according to the article on WNBC.com There were alleagations of this happening in California as well.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:40pm

Updated on WNBC.com:

NEW YORK -- A prominent Broadway actor, known for playing the beast in Disney's family-friendly "Beauty and the Beast," pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he had sexual contact several times with a 15-year-old girl -- including once in his dressing room.

James Barbour, 40, was charged with five counts of criminal sex acts and sexual abuse against the teen in 2001. She came forward earlier this year before the five-year statute of limitations expired.

Assistant District Attorney Maxine Rosenthal said prosecutors were aware of a second case where Barbour allegedly had sexual contact with another underage girl, in California.

Rosenthal said that if the New York case goes to trial, she will try to introduce evidence regarding the uncharged California case. She did not discuss specifics.

Defense attorney David Smith said there was nothing new about any of the charges.

"These are the very same allegations he was aware of several months ago," said Smith. "...We were aware of the second allegation as well. That occurred over seven years ago."

According to prosecutors, Barbour was starring in the musical "Jane Eyre" in 2001 when a high school drama teacher arranged for the girl and her parents to see the show. The girl came backstage by herself after the show, and the actor began sexually touching her, prosecutors said.

There was allegedly another incident with the same girl during a dinner at an Eighth Avenue restaurant, and a third in his Upper West Side apartment, authorities said.

In a written statement signed April 4, 2006, and made public Wednesday by Rosenthal, Barbour said sexual contact with the girl, a student at his alma mater, was initiated by her when he had dinner with her and her boyfriend.

"At that dinner, I was sitting next to her and our knees touched," the statement said. "Her hand was on my knee and rubbed up against my (illegible)."

The girl later told him she was 16 and wanted to pursue a career in theater, Barbour's statement said. He said he offered to help and stayed in contact with her through e-mail, the statement said.

During a subsequent telephone conversation, the statement said, Barbour asked the girl what she was thinking the night they had dinner together, "and she said 'I was thinking I wanted to"' have sex with him.

One evening before Barbour's performance in "Jane Eyre," he and the girl went to his Upper West Side apartment, the statement said.

"We were laying (sic) on the bed and she spoke about losing her virginity to (her boyfriend)" and discussed sex acts, Barbour's statement said. "We did kiss, and then she originated again about sexual intercourse."

"At that time I sort of freaked out, said she was 16, and that I couldn't do this," the statement said. "The relationship stopped suddenly because I thought it was inappropriate and could get dangerous."

Because the incident with the second girl happened in California, no additional charges can be brought in the borough, Rosenthal said.

The name and hometown of the girl in the New York case were withheld. Barbour, who lives in California, put up $10,000 cash bail and was released on Wednesday. He was ordered to surrender his passport, and to return for a Dec. 20 court date.

His lawyer, in arguing for lower bail, noted that Barbour had no criminal history and that the girl made no claims of sexual intercourse. Barbour's other Broadway credits include appearances in "Carousel" and "Urinetown."

Rosenthal also said there were tapes of Barbour speaking by telephone with the alleged 15-year-old victim about the case. "He himself refers to it as unethical," said Rosenthal, who provided the defense with a copy of the conversation tapes.

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:52pm

I think it could happened to anyone. I mean imagine you are a 15 year old girl who loves Broadway and really looks up to and admires the actors, and the star invites you into his dressing room! Talk about ecstatic, I think anyone would have been thrilled. He took advanteage of this poor girl who was probably so star-struck and wanted him to like her. So tragic.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:58pm

To allow this to hit the streets in such an unprofessional manner. This is damaging to both parties involved. Someone may be on the responsible end for this article.

Because I know some of the details and parties involved in this case I can't comment on much. Once again, here is level of reporting giving free reigns to writers who feel they can go public with information that is not entirely accurate and inappropriate to print.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 4:59pm

This whole situation is so upsetting. It turns my stomach a little.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 5:30pm

I never said a word about the BJ I got from James in the dressing room.....

[Mooo]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 6:04pm

I worked with this guy in stock in 1987 at Music Theater North and have been waiting for this day for years. He once left his girlfriend for another woman and got so mad at his ex when she started dating someone that he picked her up off of a blanket by the hair only to slap her back down. It has always disgusted me that he's had the success he's had because personally he's a horrible human being.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 6:10pm

Scientologists like Mr. Barbour live their lives according to a very strict code of ethics.

At the risk of coming across like an SP, perhaps Mr. Barbour would find himself cheered up a bit by
A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN’S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 6:15pm

It sickens me that people on this board are taking this as a joke. This is a serious matter.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 7:17pm

Innocent until proven guilty....

Nothing been proven yet, so relax.

[kasim]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 7:41pm

Something to think about for those that are disgusted with the age difference.

Had she been 16 ... it actually would have been legal in most states

http://www.ageofconsent.com/ageofconsent.htm

(not new york though)

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/6/06 at 8:06pm

and had my aunt had balls she would have been my uncle.

Posted: 12/6/06 at 8:11pm

Wow.

I saw him in Beauty at the Shubert.