Cross-Dressing Killer Robert Kosilek Wants You To Pay For Hair-Removal Treatments Behind Bars

By: Ryan Smith
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS/AP)

Photo: Left, Robert Kosilek following his arraignment in 1990; Right, Koselik dressed up as Michelle in 1993.

BOSTON(CBS/AP) Convicted killer Michelle Kosilek has hairy legs and wants you to pay for the electrolysis treatments needed to make them as smooth as a baby's behind.

Born as Robert Kosilek, Michelle Kosilek has been waiting for years for a judge in Boston to rule on a request for a taxpayer-funded sex-change operation in order to complete the prisoner's transformation into a woman.

But the transgender jailbird says he will settle for electrolysis for the time being. Kosilek goes before a judge today to see if the court will allow it.

The murderer has already had seven electrolysis treatments in years past before they were discontinued.

Once an addiction counselor, Kosilek was convicted of killing of his wife. He dumped the body in a car outside a local shopping mall and went missing. Kosilek was ultimately captured in New Rochelle, NY.

In 1993, while in prison, he legally changed his name to Michelle.

(AP Photo)

Kosilek wanted the Massachusetts Department of Correction to pay for the sex-change, and sued the state twice for the funds, even though he had been receiving hormones at the prison. The prisoner said hormones and other treatments have not been enough to relieve his suffering, and said he would likely commit suicide if he does not get the surgery.

Massachusetts Correction Commissioner Kathleen Dennehy has said that if Kosilek has the surgery, prison officials believe Kosilek could end up being a target of sexual assault in prison.

"The safety and security concerns are enormous," Dennehy testified.

The case has become fodder for radio talk shows, where the topic of whether the state should pay for a sex-change operation for a convicted murderer often attracts outraged callers.

In addition to the cost — estimates for sex-change operations are in the $10,000 to $20,000 range — prison officials cite the safety risks of housing a male inmate who has been transformed into a female.

Sen. Bruce E. Tarr of Gloucester, Mass., has filed legislation barring the state from paying for the "sex reassignment" surgeries.

Courts in several states have ordered prison systems to allow transgender inmates to receive psychotherapy and, in some cases, hormone shots. Some states allow inmates to continue hormone treatments if they are already on hormones when they begin their sentences.

But most do not allow inmates to initiate hormone therapy while in prison, and many states do not have any written policy for the treatment of transgender inmates.

In a 2002 ruling, the corrections department allowed Kosilek to receive female hormones and laser hair removal. He was also given access to female undergarments and some makeup.

U.S. District Judge Mark Wolf said earlier this year that he has not shown he will suffer "serious harm" without further electrolysis treatments. The judge may, today, revisit the decision if more information comes to light in state Department of Correction documents.

Kosilek's lawyer argued in court this year that there is "serious medical need" for the treatments, which were discontinued in October after seven sessions. The attorney, Joseph Sulman, said halting the treatment has negatively affected Kosilek's mental health.

A Department of Correction lawyer said there are cheaper alternatives for hair removal, including depilatories and shaving.

Sulman countered that shaving is a "quintessential male" activity.

WHAT DO YOU THINK: Should Massachusettes pay for Kosilek's electrolysis treatments or sex change operation?

PREVIOUSLY ON CRIMESIDER
August 1, 2008 - Tax Dollars At Work: Will State Pay for Wife-Killer's Sex Change?
August 10, 2008 - Pretty in Prison: Cross-Dressing Wife-Killer Wants Smooth Legs

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by ajcoles December 8, 2009 9:40 AM EST: What Ryan Smith & others who are calling Michelle by HER former name & using male pronouns seem not to understand. She identifies as female. She may have murdered her wife but she isn't male. The psychologists who she has been under the care of obviously understand this. They are following Standards Of Care For Gender Identity Disorders. One of which states that proof is insistence of wearing clothing of the opposite gender from which they are born into. Michelle would be cross-dressing if she were to want to wear a tuxedo.
She is only attempting to rid her face of hair. Pretty much any woman dislikes having facial hair.
What I don't understand here is that Ryan Smith disregarded the accepted stylebook in this regard. Even more amazing to me is that no one at CBS caught this. Ryan & CBS, please let me fill you in. It's actually just common cutesy.

The Associated Press Stylebook recommendations for covering transgender people, under "sex changes" in the 2000 edition:
"Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth.

If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly."; Reply to this comment


by bubbajill November 24, 2009 11:12 PM EST: OH HELL NO!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by jadensmokes November 24, 2009 5:07 PM EST: Ooooo-Eeeeee. He makes for an ugly man or woman! Give the man a razor, that's all women get to deal with the hair on their legs. Make-up? For who? The other prisoners? Then put him in the women's prison. And, quit giving him hormones! He might turn back into a man then and like it.; Reply to this comment


by PlainLynn November 23, 2009 8:53 PM EST: I don't see why a prison should provide expensive services to an imate which the government doesn't make available to poor people in the general population.

That said, Michelle Kosilek isn't seeking electrolysis for her "hairy legs" as this blog article states. She is seeking it for her facial hair, because shaving a beard is inherently masculine and causes her psychological distress.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJmsMurGONui7KL3DlV8sfjG7sQQD9C5EBC83; Reply to this comment


by january53 November 23, 2009 8:09 PM EST: the guy is in prison!! what the hell!! some states paying for hormones? wants a sex change operation? i so don't believe the crap i'm reading!; Reply to this comment


by mommybarber2 November 23, 2009 5:54 PM EST: If the state pays for this something is seriously seriously wrong. Prisoners get treated better than what some people get treated outside of prison. 3 meals a day must be pretty nice when we are all out here struggeling to pay bills and wondering what or when I children will get fed next. I depend on tips sometime when it gets tight to be able to go get one pound of hamburger to make hamburger helper to feed my two children. He doesn't need a f***ing sex change. Use a razor like we all do dumba**. I don't even think the state should pay for any of this. Let the man kill himself and give the tax payers a break for once. PLEASE JUST LET HIM KILL HIMSELF!; Reply to this comment


by linfinster November 23, 2009 5:48 PM EST: give the guy a razor and maybe he'll use it like most women do who want to remove hair on their legs. Otherwise forget it! What a waste of space. I can't believe he is allowed to bring this to court! Shame on the judge!; Reply to this comment