Brock Turner was caught in the act of raping his unconscious victim behind a dumpster. Everyone knows he's guilty, and despite his lies in the courtroom claiming that he asked for permission at various stages (obviously contradicting his statements from the night after the rape), the jury found him unanimously guilty. Somehow, though, the Great American Justice System (i.e. Judge Aaron Persky) decided that prison "would have a severe impact on him" and sentenced him to only six months in a county jail, of which he will only serve three months -- his release has already been set for September 2.
Let's get this straight: this man was pulled off of an unconscious woman, caught as red-handed as humanly possible, lied under oath (which is perjury, by the way), and showed absolutely no remorse whatsoever, but he will only serve three months in a county jail. Because the poor baby can't handle prison.
Why is anyone worried about this man's ability to handle prison? Unless I'm mistaken, the point of prison is to make someone pay for their actions. Brock Turner is old enough to know what he was doing. He's old enough to know how utterly monstrous his actions were. He is not an animal, and there is nothing about him that should merit special treatment. His rich parents, prestigious school and swimming career do not make him special.
Society does not need the amazing contributions Turner's father tells us that his wonderful son is capable of--not from a rapist who won't even express remorse. There are plenty of people just as smart and just as talented at swimming (likely smarter and more talented) who aren't rapists to take his place. People who have strong morals and deserve the success much more than that monster; those are the people whose contributions society needs and wants.
Additionally, why are we worrying about his future after prison? He has ruined a woman's life. He has left her scars that will never heal completely. If we're truly as civilized as we claim to be, that is what we should be considering: the life that Brock Turner has left in shreds. His life should be negatively effected by his actions. That's the point of the justice system.
Anyone who thinks that Brock Turner's story ends here is lulling themselves into a sleepy, rose-colored fantasy land of denial. A rapist who has a history of drug use, a history of aggressively coming on to women at parties, who deliberately sought and for and took advantage of a woman who was too drunk to say no, let alone fight him off, and shows less remorse than a flea will rape again. He just might be smarter about it next time.
After all, what's stopping him? He's already been caught in the very act of raping a woman, but nothing happened. He blatantly lied on the stand and nothing happened. He showed no remorse but still managed to scrape up sympathy from an idiot of a judge who pretends to serve justice.
The American justice system has taught Brock Turner and others like him that they are untouchable and invincible; ripples of this case will spread far beyond Brock Turner's actions. What's to stop other young men like him from thinking they can get away with the same thing? Hasn't this case taught them that if they're young, white, rich and athletes (or some of the above) that they'll get off with next to nothing, no matter what kind of evidence is against them? What happens if they don't leave as much evidence behind as Brock Turner did? Maybe they can walk away with some community service and a slap on the hand, like toddlers who ate a piece of candy they'd been told that they couldn't have.
That is what Judge Aaron Persky's decision is leading us to. A world where, if you have the right race, enough money and a bright enough future, you can rape in broad daylight without remorse and lie with a straight face without consequences. In fact, you'll get sympathy because a slight stain has been introduced onto your bright future, and who wants that?
Please show this judge, Brock Turner and most importantly his victim that we will not let our nation come to this. To sign the petition to remove Judge Aaron Persky (who is running uncontested for re-election to his seat) from his position, go here.
