Turner, whose sentence was widely criticized for its leniency, was released shortly after 6 a.m. and was met by a crowd of reporters.
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Following his sentence, his victim told BuzzFeed News she was angry that Turner’s sentence was so “gentle”.
In a letter read out in court to Turner, the woman described how she went out to a party, let her guard down, got drunk and was found behind a dumpster.
Turner’s absurdly light sentence, according to the opinions on Twitter, is somewhat mitigated by the fact that he’ll have to serve three years of probation and register as a Tier III sex offender for life.
Persky sentenced Turner to six months in county jail, though Turned had faced a maximum of 14 years in state prison and the prosecution had asked for a six-year sentence. Turner’s name, photograph and his address will also be made public through the online sex offender registry and the local authorities in his OH hometown will be sending out postcards to the neighbors advising that a sex offender has moved into the area. It nearly seems unnecessary – who hasn’t heard of Turner by now? – but The Daily Beast canvassed the area and found that, incredibly, some residents weren’t familiar with Turner or the infamous case in which he was caught digitally penetrating an unconscious woman beside a dumpster.
Protesters had planned a Friday morning demonstration outside the jail pushing for the recall of Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky, who was fiercely criticised after sentencing Turner. The judge followed the probation department’s recommendation for a “moderate” jail sentence, saying prison would have a “severe impact” on Turner and he likely “will not be a danger to others”.
“I want the judge to know that he ignited a tiny fire”.
Turner’s family also received criticism. Turner, whose six-month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman at Stanford University sparked national outcry, was released from jail after serving half his term. Jerry Brown, Smith urged the governor to sign the bill and make it clear probation is not a fair sentence for anyone convicted of a sexual felony perpetrated against an intoxicated and unconscious victim.
Following backlash and a push for a recall, Persky voluntarily removed himself from hearing criminal cases, starting next week.
After Persky’s decision to impose the six-month sentence made headlines, an online petition calling for his removal from the bench drew more than 1.3 million signatures. Once there, he’ll be required to register as a sex offender.
During the three years of probation for the “Stanford rape” the 21-year-old will also be unable to leave the state without permission from law enforcement and his home can be randomly searched at any time.
That means he will be banned from entering parks, schools, and other places where children are expected to gather. Turner will be required to register every three months in person at the sheriff’s office, reaffirming that he is still living with his parents, the sheriff said.
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Turner’s lawyer, Mike Armstrong, declined to comment on the case when reached by email on Friday.
