Convicted Felon Denied Paternity Test

Suffolk County Family Court Judge David Freundlich declared that Ronnell Wilson, who is facing the death penalty for killing two police officers, is “civilly dead”. Wilson conceived a child behind bars with a corrections officer and was seeking to establish paternity. His request was denied by Judge Freundlich. The Court ruled that “Those convicted of felonies in New York forfeit nearly all of their civil rights for as long as they are incarcerated, except for a provision in Subdivision 2 of §79 allowing them to challenge and defend themselves in matters relating to their conviction, sentence and defense”. Although Wilson is appealing the death sentence Judge Freundlich rejected that argument as a defense. The Judge declared that Wilson is in jail for a felony and even if his death sentence is overturned he will remain in prison for the rest of his life.