Stanford rapist’s sentence warrants judicial review

In just 20 words, a morally challenged father from Dayton let his morally deficient son know that it was acceptable to rape an unconscious woman.

“That’s a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action out of his 20 plus years of life,” Dan Turner wrote to California Judge Aaron Persky in urging leniency for his son, Brock Turner, a former Stanford University swimmer.

Judge Persky was clearly swayed by such a fatherly appeal because he sentenced Turner, who was convicted by a jury of three counts of rape, to just six months in jail and three years of probation.

The 20-year-old rapist could have been sent to prison for 14 years.

But if Dan Turner’s letter – he also discussed how his son has lost his appetite for steak as a result of everything that’s happened – lacks moral fiber, an essay by Vice President Joe Biden reflects the growing sentiment in this country and abroad about this travesty of justice.

“You are a warrior – with a solid steel spine. I do not know your name – but I know that a lot of people failed you that terrible January night and in the months that followed,” the vice president wrote to the unidentified woman.

He also said, “I see the limitless potential of an incredibly talented young woman – full of possibility. I see the shoulders on which our dreams for the future rest. I see you.”

Biden included this line that must become a call to arms in America and globally against rape: “We all have a responsibility to stop the scourge of violence against women once and for all.”

Biden has a long history of speaking out against rape and other acts of violence toward women. While he was in the U.S. Senate, he introduced the Violence Against Women Act.

Heartfelt letter

The unidentified rape victim wrote a 12-page letter to the rapist, Brock Turner, which she read in court. The letter was posted online by BuzzFeed and has been read by millions of people in this country and around the world.

The letter has been the basis of numerous newspaper columns, including one published on this page Saturday. The column, written by Rex Huppke of the Chicago Tribune, was headlined, “Lesson about rape for our sons”.

The vice president referred to the victim’s heart-wrenching statement, saying, “You have shaken untold thousands out of torpor and indifference towards sexual violence that allows this problem to continue.

“Your words will help people you have never met and never will.

“You have given them the strength they need to fight.”

The tap on the wrist that Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Persky gave Turner has triggered a national campaign to not only have the sentence reviewed by a higher court but also to have a recall election for the judge.

His comments during the sentencing have added to the outrage.

“A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him. I think he will not be a danger to others.”

The details of what occurred the night of the rape – remember, the victim was unconscious – and Turner’s subsequent attitude lead to the conclusion that he will go through life believing he is invincible.

It is noteworthy that Turner has sought to excuse his behavior by blaming the social culture on the campus of Stanford University.

However, the Los Angeles Times revealed last week that Turner lied in a letter to Judge Persky before his sentencing when he said he came from a small town in Ohio and never experienced partying that involved alcohol.

He claimed he started drinking after he began attending Stanford to relieve stress of school and competitive swimming.

He blamed a “party culture and risk-taking behavior” for his actions.

But prosecutors said they found text messages and photographs that show Turner lied and has a history of partying.

It is clear that justice has not been served and that the victim of a brutal sexual assault behind a dumpster on campus has been assaulted again by the judicial system.

Turner’s six-month sentence must not be allowed to stand, and Judge Persky must not be permitted to continue serving on the bench.