John Geddes Lawrence and Tyron Garner
Petitioners
Ruth E. Harlow, Counsel of RecordOn the night of September 17, 1998, the Harris County, Texas, sheriff’s office received a report of a weapons disturbance in the home of John Lawrence. Upon arriving and forcibly entering the apartment, the police discovered Lawrence and Tyron Garner engaging in sex. Although the reported disturbance was a hoax, Lawrence and Garner were arrested for violating Section 21.06 of Texas State law, which prohibits "deviate sexual intercourse" with individuals of the same sex. On December 22, 1998, Lawrence and Garner pled nolo contendere to the charges and each was fined $200 plus court costs…
