Report on Legal Proceedings and Sustainable Development Goal Implications: Case of Gary Busey

Case Summary and Adjudication

Actor Gary Busey has entered a guilty plea to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. The charge originates from an incident that occurred at the Monster Mania Convention in Camden, New Jersey, on August 13, 2022. During a virtual court appearance, Mr. Busey, 81, admitted to the non-accidental and inappropriate touching of a woman.

The plea was entered before Judge Gwendolyn Blue, who had previously denied a defense motion to dismiss the indictment. The defense had argued the investigation was “faulty,” a claim countered by the prosecution, which asserted that all substantive evidence was properly presented to the grand jury. Judge Blue upheld the indictment, citing relevant case law.

Plea Agreement and Sentencing Terms

As a result of a plea agreement, prosecutors will dismiss the remaining charges against Mr. Busey. The terms of the agreement and resulting conviction include:

• A guilty plea to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
• Dismissal of three additional counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
• A sentence of one to five years of probation and mandatory fines. The defense has requested a sentence limited to fines.
• The establishment of a criminal record for Mr. Busey.
• A mandatory submission of a DNA sample.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 18.

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case provides a direct illustration of the principles and targets embedded within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Alignment with SDG 5: Gender Equality

The incident and its legal resolution are directly relevant to SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The core of this case relates to a key target of this goal:

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

The conviction for criminal sexual contact addresses an act of gender-based violence that occurred in a public space. Such legal accountability is a critical mechanism for deterring violence and reinforcing the right of all individuals, particularly women, to safety, security, and bodily autonomy. The proceedings underscore the societal commitment to challenging and penalizing actions that undermine gender equality.

Implications for SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The judicial process in this matter exemplifies the framework of SDG 16, which is dedicated to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

The progression of the case highlights several components of Target 16.3, which aims to “promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.”

1. Access to Justice: The legal system provided a formal channel for the victim’s complaint to be heard and adjudicated.
2. Accountable Institutions: The court’s handling of the indictment, the hearing of motions, and the facilitation of a plea agreement demonstrate the function of the judiciary as an accountable institution responsible for upholding the law.
3. Rule of Law: The conviction and forthcoming sentencing affirm that all individuals are subject to the rule of law, ensuring that criminal actions have legal consequences.
4. Effective Process: The use of a plea agreement represents an established judicial mechanism for resolving cases, ensuring accountability while managing institutional resources.

By holding an individual accountable for a criminal act, the justice system reinforces its role as a cornerstone of a peaceful and just society, as envisioned by SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues discussed in the article, which center on a case of criminal sexual contact and the subsequent legal proceedings, are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This goal aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The article addresses this SDG because the crime described is a form of gender-based violence, specifically “inappropriately touching a woman,” which undermines women’s safety and equality.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The article is fundamentally about the justice system in action. It details the entire legal process, from the charges and indictment to the court appearance, plea agreement, and scheduled sentencing, demonstrating the function of judicial institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

     The article directly relates to this target. The incident of “fourth-degree criminal sexual contact” occurred at a public venue, the “Monster Mania Convention at the Doubletree Hotel.” This represents a form of violence against a woman in the public sphere, which this target aims to eliminate.

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     The act of “criminal sexual contact” is a form of physical and sexual violence. The legal case described is a response mechanism aimed at holding perpetrators accountable, which contributes to the broader goal of reducing violence.

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The article is a case study of this target in practice. It describes the functioning of the rule of law through the court system: the indictment by a grand jury, the defense attorney’s motion to dismiss, the prosecutor’s counter-argument, the judge’s ruling based on “case law,” the plea agreement, and the impending sentencing. This entire process illustrates the mechanism for providing access to justice for the victim.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article provides specific, albeit qualitative, examples that serve as indicators for measuring progress:

   • Indicator for Target 5.2 (Eliminate violence against women):

     The official indicator is 5.2.2: “Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence.” The article provides a concrete instance of this: a woman being subjected to sexual violence (inappropriate touching) by a non-partner in a public place (a convention). The guilty plea and the fact that Busey “will have a criminal record” serve as an indicator of legal accountability for such acts.

   • Indicator for Target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law and access to justice):

     The official indicator is 16.3.1: “Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities.” The existence of the court case implies that the victim reported the incident, leading to an investigation and charges. Furthermore, the detailed description of the legal proceedings—including the “virtual court appearance,” the judge’s denial of the “motion to dismiss,” the confirmation that “witness statements were properly presented to the grand jury,” and the structured “plea agreement”—serves as a qualitative indicator that a formal justice mechanism is in place and accessible.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Identified or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.	A specific instance of sexual violence against a woman in a public space (“inappropriately touching a woman during the annual Monster Mania Convention”). The legal outcome (guilty plea, criminal record) serves as an indicator of accountability.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.	The incident of “fourth-degree criminal sexual contact” is a documented case of violence, which is a data point for measuring the prevalence of violence.
   	Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.	The existence of a formal judicial process (indictment, court hearing, plea agreement, sentencing). The fact that the case was processed indicates the victim had access to justice and that the rule of law was applied.

Source: courttv.com