Stanford University defends its handling of sex assault case

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stanford University "did everything within its power" to ensure justice in the case of a former swimmer sentenced to six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, saying it moved swiftly to investigate and punish the student but that more needs to be done at the school and elsewhere to end sexual violence.

The university banned Brock Turner from campus after wrapping up its investigation less than two weeks after the attack, calling it "the harshest sanction that a university can impose on a student," according to a statement released Monday. The school says it reached out to the victim to offer support and inform her of the steps it was taking.

"In this case, Stanford University, its students, its police and its staff members did everything they could," the statement said.

The 20-year-old Turner was sentenced last week to six months in jail and three years' probation, sparking outrage from critics who say Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky was too lenient on a privileged athlete from a top-tier swimming program. Some are urging he be removed from the bench.

The case gained national attention after prosecutors released a poignant statement from the 23-year-old victim that she read in court. Criticism intensified when a letter from Turner's father to the judge was released, in which he pleaded for leniency and said his son had already paid a steep price for "20 minutes of action."