Ex-Stanford swimmer Brock Turner was once again put into the spotlight when he walked out of a six-month sentence three months early. Originally given the sentence of six months for three felony charges--assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated person, penetration of an intoxicated person and penetration of an unconscious person, Turner instead walked free due to the claim of good behavior.
With his release, Turner has three years of probation and has officially registered as a sex offender in Ohio.
Brock Turner's case has sparked controversy from the moment his crime was made public. At his release, Turner will face a huge amount of attention due to the nationwide impact the case made. His release from an already lenient prison sentence is met with negative comments and even a group of protestors in his neighbourhood. At his release, all the details of his case are once again brought to light in an effort to understand why a guilty man should be allowed to walk free without serving the necessary time.
It is in these moments that we turn to the justice system to protest the very meanings of "right" and "wrong", because when the guilty walk free our belief in justice falters.
Brock Turner's case is unique, and calls attention to the nationwide problems concerning rape and sexual assault. Throughout the past couple years, there have been countless claims of rape and assault on various university campuses, challenging the meaning of right and justice when it comes to certain crimes. Several of these victims have filed complaints against the universities, claiming that the school should do more to the accused rapists.
In Turner's case, there is no doubt that he is guilty, due to witness accounts and other evidence. Even though he is the center of the case and accusations, he is not the only victim of his early release. Although he has been met with constant protests since his release and his life will continue to be taunted by a past caused by poor decisions, there is still the real victim of this case.
Brock Turner's victim, who read a heartfelt letter addressed to her rapist in court, now has to face the reality of justice after the initial disappointment when the source of her pain was not given the right sentence to begin with. Her case is once again being brought up as people fight on her behalf by insisting that Turner be given his rightful punishment.
That's what happens when a guilty man is set free: his victim suffers once more. We look at the case and find reasons to put Turner back in jail, because that's the right thing to do and we want the victim to feel safe again.
The meanings of right and wrong are constantly being challenged, and this case makes us question how right and wrong are used in a justice system that we trust in.
That's what happens when a guilty man walks free: we begin to doubt the people and system that we are supposed to trust.
Brock Turner, in my opinion, should not have been set free simply because of good behavior and the belief of a judge that prison time would negatively affect a college student. But Turner can't go back to what he was before. He can't simply ignore what happened and go back to school. He can't go back to living without the constant reminder that he is, in fact, guilty.
We are now focused on Turner's moves and what happens next because we want to know what our protests and comments will do.
Because that's what happens when a guilty man walks free, we question our own sense of right and wrong.
