“While I firmly believe in Judge Persky’s ability to serve in his current assignment, he has requested to be assigned to the civil division, in which he previously served”, Pichon’s statement went on.
Advertisement
More recently, Persky’s critics said that previous sentencing decisions are evidence of his alleged bias in sex-crimes cases, including the three years in state prison he gave to an immigrant from El Salvador who admitted to sexually assaulting his roommate and four days in county jail to a man who plead guilty to a felony child-pornography charge.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Judge Aaron Persky requested to switch from presiding over criminal to civil cases because he’s afraid that the public won’t trust him to rule fairly. The assignment is subject to an annual review, and takes effect September 6.
Stanford law professor Michelle Dauber who is leading that effort said she is still collecting signatures.
San Jose. Judge Vincent Chiarello will fill Persky’s position in Palo Alto.
Persky did not respond to requests for comment.
Persky’s supporters disagreed. Deputy public defender Roderick O’Connor called the transfer a “big loss”, saying that Persky doesn’t deserve to be the target of “this hysteria” because he is extremely prudent and fair.
Aaron Persky, the infamous judge who handed out an extremely light punishment for convicted Stanford rapist Brock Turner, will no longer be presiding over criminal cases. “We’re pleased he won’t be handling criminal matters, at least for the time being, but he can transfer back”.
The case sparked a national debate on college drinking and sexual assault and led to a recall effort against the judge. However, he will still be a judge, and judges rotate annually in our county.
“The issue of his judicial bias in favor of privileged defendants in sex crimes and domestic violence still must be addressed by the voters of Santa Clara County”. Legislators say that a lenient sentences, such as in Turner’s case can revictimize rape victims.
Advertisement
Turner was convicted in March of assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated or unconscious person, penetration of an intoxicated person and penetration of an unconscious person. In a brief statement he read in court Friday, the judge said he and his family were exposed to publicity surrounding the new case, which resulted in “a personal family situation”. Prosecutors had asked for a six-year prison sentence for the January 2015 assault. The judge cited a probation department recommendation and the effect the conviction will have on Turner’s life.
