The judge, who sentenced Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner to just six months in jail over the sexual assault of an unconscious stranger, has been removed from the seat of an upcoming sex crimes case.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky has faced backlash from the community for his involvement in Turner’s sentence, which many considered too lenient.
Turner was sentenced to six months in jail for sexual assault with three years probation. He looks likely to serve just three months in jail.
The LA Times reported that prosecutors said the removal was a “rare and carefully considered step.”
District attorney Jeff Rosen said the move came after the judge had dismissed a case before the jury could deliberate.
“We are disappointed and puzzled at Judge Persky’s unusual decision to unilaterally dismiss a case before the jury could deliberate,” he said.
“After this and the recent turn of events, we lack confidence that Judge Persky can fairly participate in this upcoming hearing in which a male nurse sexually assaulted an anesthetized female patient.
“In the future, we will evaluate each case on its own merits and decide if we should use our legal right to ask for another judge in order to protect public safety and pursue justice.”
Court procedures in the American state of California allow prosecutors to file motions in order to remove judges and have cases reassigned.
It was reported that prosecutors removed Judge Persky after multiple jurors had refused to serve in his courtroom because of the Turner case.
A thank you message to the Swedish men who helped the Stanford rape victim. Post continues after video…
Several online campaigns have called for Judge Persky’s removal from judicial role for his actions in the Turner case.
The campaign on change.org that will be sent to the Californian state senate has gained over a million signatures.
Judge Persky was said to not have been reached for comment.
Top Comments
This is good news - especially after reading the juror's account today of how they felt the judge ignored them as a jury.
I think this has crossed over from a moment where a raped persons voice is truely heard to a witch hunt.
6 months is a reasonable sentence. The judge was doing his job and this has crossed over to irrational debate.
We should be celebrating am actual custodial sentence not asking for someone's head.
Now we have to keep the positive momentum of a culture change where taking advantage of a drunk woman is not a norm and consent is truely understood.
6 months (likely 3 months served) is a reasonable sentence for rape? I truly hope you and/or your family never have to experience the LIFE LONG rehabilitation of being a rape victim.
You might think differently if you or a loved one is the victim of a serious and/or violent crime
I was raped 15 years ago. Still I think about it weekly, and it took many years just to get to this point. I also have to live with many bad decisions I made after the event as I wasn't coping. These decisions changed my whole life.
6 months is a joke of a sentence, and shame on you for thinking it is good enough.
I think I echo a lot of people when I ask - how is six month a reasonable sentence? Given the lifelong impact of the crime, the type of crime, the emotional, physical and financial impact on the victim - how is six months enough?
I've heard a few people say that it is, yet I haven't actually heard why they think that is the case.