SAN FRANCISCO The former Stanford University swimmer, whose sentence for sexual assault has been widely condemned as too lenient, spoke of drug and alcohol use before entering college, undermining his claims to a judge that he lacked experience with alcohol, court documents showed on Friday. One of these documents: a letter to the judge from his grandparents, who shift blame away from their grandson.
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The swimmer’s father, Dan Turner, ignited more outrage by writing in a letter to the judge that his son already has paid a steep price for “20 minutes of action”.
A court spokesman has said Persky is barred from commenting because Turner is appealing his convictions of felony assault and attempted rape.
Former Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner, convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on campus past year after a fraternity party, has been banned from USA Swimming for life.
Blake Bolton, a witness of the sexual assault, told police that he had seen a man hovering over the victim with a phone, the Daily Mail reported. Meanwhile, more than 1 million people have signed separate petitions circulated by UltraViolet and MoveOn.org to ask the California Commission on Judicial Performance to remove Persky from the bench. Complaints to the California Commission on Judicial Performance is asking that the agency find Persky engaged in misconduct, while petitions for the California legislature start impeachment proceedings for him.
Judge Persky cited Turner’s clean criminal record and the effect the conviction will have on his life. He’s in the Santa Clara County Jail for at least the next three months.
Former Stanford swimmer Brock Turner has been banned from the United States swim team by the USA governing body for the sport.
Prosecutors had argued for six years in prison for crimes that could have gotten Turner 10 years behind bars. The district attorney also said Turner lied to the judge about his drinking and partying.
On Thursday, June 9, the Associated Press revealed that Turner will only serve three months. “And so we are going to recall him, and we’re going to replace him with someone who does”.
“There is still much work to be done, not just here, but everywhere, to create a culture that does not tolerate sexual violence in any form and a judicial system that deals appropriately with sexual assault cases”, its statement said.
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Almost one million people appeared to have joined the recall effort for Persky.
