The former Stanford University swimmer, who turned 21 while in jail, was released under a California law that gives inmates credit for time served.
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Turner leaves the Santa Clara County Jail in San Jose, California.
“I made silly faces, let my guard down, and drank liquor too fast not factoring in that my tolerance had significantly lowered since college”, the woman wrote in the letter to Turner and Judge Aaron Persky that she read in the courtroom during the sentencing.
Court records show Turner expressed remorse over the assault and attributed his behavior to a night of drinking.
The former Sanford University student and swim team star left Santa Clara Jail in San Jose, California with a paper bag filled with his belongings while news cameras filmed.
Turner, who kept his head down, was carrying a large packet of hate mail sent to him during his incarceration. For hours after his pre-dawn release from the Santa Clara County jail, about 200 people demonstrated outside, calling for the judge in the case to resign. The tall and lanky Turner appeared to be wearing the same shirt and trousers he wore during his June 2 sentencing hearing, carrying his suit jacket under an arm.
Like other sex offenders, Turner will be monitored by a probation officer for three years.
“If more judges bother to educate themselves on the realities of gendered violence there would be fewer Brock Turners”, Harvard Law School graduate Kamilah Willingham said.
Turner, who came to Stanford from OH, was arrested moments after the sex crime when two graduate students riding bikes on Lomita Court around 1 a.m. found him, then a 19-year-old freshman, on top of a partially clothed woman.
Turner was arrested January 18 after two male students discovered him on top of an unconscious woman. They chased and tackled him when he tried to flee, holding him on the ground until police arrived.
But even for the sexual assaults that are brought to trial, Turner’s stands out as white privilege.
Dozens of people gathered across from the Main Jail in San Jose where they heard from federal, state and local officials who believe Judge Aaron Persky was biased in serving a light six-month sentence for 21-year-old Brock Turner in a case that has received global attention.
Turner’s victim, identified as “Emily Doe”, made a powerful statement at his sentencing that drew global attention. You and me. You are the cause, I am the effect.. Persky followed the probation departments recommendation for a moderate jail sentence.
“He should be in prison right now, but he’s not in our custody”, Smith said.
Currently, California law treats sexual assault of a conscious person as a more severe crime than attacking an unconscious person. Jerry Brown (D) after it was approved by the state Senate and Assembly with overwhelming support. His decision is also seen as a reaction to a campaign to recall him from the elected position he held onto in June because he ran unopposed.
Persky has recused himself from hearing criminal cases and has asked to be moved to another court.
Supporters say the ballot measure promotes rehabilitation programs and allows corrections officials to decide who gets early parole and who stays behind bars.
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Judge Aaron Persky, who handed down the sentence, expressed concern about the impact of prison on Turner.
