In a turn of events that has many shaking their heads in disbelief, Brock Turner, the convicted rapist, is set to be released this Friday, having served only three months of his six-month sentence.
Turner’s legal troubles began on January 18, 2014, when two Stanford University students on bicycles discovered him assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster. They intervened, apprehending Turner as he attempted to flee and promptly called the police. One of the students was so disturbed by the scene that he could barely articulate what he had witnessed.
Caught red-handed, Turner faced five felony charges, including rape of an intoxicated person and sexual penetration of an unconscious person. After posting a $150,000 bail, he was eventually convicted of three charges: assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated/unconscious person, and penetration of both an intoxicated and an unconscious individual.
Despite the severity of the crimes, Judge Aaron Persky imposed a mere six-month jail sentence, far below the maximum penalty of 14 years. With good behavior, Turner was eligible for early release after just three months—and that day has finally arrived.
Yes, Brock Turner, a convicted rapist, is walking out of jail just in time to celebrate the Labor Day weekend with his family. You might remember the infamous letter from Turner’s father to the judge, lamenting his son’s “loss of appetite” since his conviction, and expressing dismay over how it affected their family dynamics. Notably absent in that letter was any mention of the victim or acknowledgment of the harm done to her.
Judge Persky’s reasoning for the lenient sentence shocked many: “A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him… I think he will not be a danger to others.” Because, of course, we wouldn’t want to disturb a rapist’s potential for a happy future by holding him accountable for his actions.
As one of the students who intervened, Alex Johnson, noted during the trial, “I noticed he was smiling. So I said, ‘Why are you smiling? Stop smiling.’” Johnson testified that he found the situation so absurd that it was almost laughable.
It’s a bitter reminder that we, as a society, must continuously affirm the worth and value of our daughters, as the justice system doesn’t seem to prioritize justice for them.
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Summary
Brock Turner, convicted of three felony counts related to sexual assault, will be released from jail this Friday after serving just three months of his six-month sentence. His case has sparked outrage over the leniency of the justice system, highlighting the need for continued advocacy for victims of sexual violence.