Mass. officials to fight murderer's sex change

Michelle Kosilek, in an undated image / CBS/WBZ (file image)

(AP) BOSTON - Massachusetts officials have decided to appeal a judge's decision to grant a convicted murderer's request for sex-reassignment surgery.

A Patrick administration official confirmed the decision to The Associated Press Wednesday on the condition of anonymity because an official announcement had yet to be made.

Kosilek's attorney said she had no immediate comment because she didn't know of the appeal.

U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf ruled the surgery is the only adequate treatment for Michelle Kosilek's gender-identity disorder, a condition he said is a "serious medical need." It was the first time a judge ordered prison officials to provide sex-reassignment surgery to an inmate.

"Michelle" Kosilek

/ AP Photo

Wolf's ruling prompted an outcry among some legislative leaders, who say Kosilek isn't entitled to the taxpayer-funded surgery

Kosilek was named Robert when married to Cheryl Kosilek and was convicted of her 1990 murder.

Mass. inmate sex-change ruling praised, condemned
Judge orders inmate's taxpayer-funded sex change
Transgender Killer Tells Massachusetts Taxpayers to Put Mammogram on Her Tab

[636anton33]

This IT what ever it claims to be should be put to sleep. JMO Six and Green! stop wasting tax payers money on criminals.

[ugleyme]

Judges are elected. This one needs to be un-elected. Folly.

[kendb1331]

We can probably get someone to cut this guys b@lls off without it costing the taxpayers a dime.

[Bobby1120]

What a debacle - first he kills someone, the tax payers pay to keep him fed and put a roof over his head. Now this; paying more to litigate this.

The answer should be an obvious - No

Have we lost our minds?

[djseavy]

I have to believe MA will appeal, and I also have to believe the SCOTUS will toss it, considering how conservative they are. I don't know what changed, and why murderers are now entitled to sex change operations. It used to be that - if you went to prison (especially for life) you were entitled to food, clothing and shelter. That's it. Nothing more. For a judge to now rule that the 8th amendment requires sex reassignment surgey is folly. The average person on the street can't have the operation, because they can't afford it. Allowing this doesn't give the inmate equal treatment to free people, it gives him/her better treatment, and that's patently wrong.

[well_I_say]

I wonder, if his gets his sex change will he be reassigned to a female prison?

[rwsmith29456]

Paid by taxpayers?..... NO!!!

[cattiej]

I think the people of Mass should sue the judge and whoever else in involved in letting this guy get a sex change...he is ugly enough as a man, as a women he would be uglyer....he doesn't deserve any sex change...he changed his wife's life by killing her...whatever gave anyone the idea that he should be allowed to have a sex change? Give some of the other inmates a knife and let them give him a change.

[bread58]

This is why liberals have lost their purchase on the American soul. This guy is a murderer. By definition, he has no respect for the most precious rights of others. He should, therefore, be given no respect for his own rights.

[retired_ranger]

bread58 you just proved that your truly an idiot...What makes you think "liberals" had anything to do with this?..It was one judge that decided this horrible debacle..."their purchase on the American soul" Sweetie what have you been smoking?..that makes no sense whatsoever!!! Do us all a favor and go back to school and at least get your GED~~!!!!

[Jaylah54200]

By all means, he has every right to have gender reassignment surgery!

However, he has no right to have it at taxpayer expense.

Nobody "on the outside" gets this surgery paid for by taxpayers.