Wrongfully Convicted Black Man Who Spent 5 Years in Prison for Rape Comments on Turner's Sentence

[MrScorpio]

Wrongfully Convicted Black Man Who Spent 5 Years in Prison for Rape Comments on White Student’s Lenient Sentence



Brian Banks was a high school football star with his whole life ahead of him when a false rape allegation landed him in prison. Banks, who has since been cleared of the charges, can be counted among those who are outraged by the lenient sentence handed down to a white swimmer convicted of rape.

Stanford swimmer Brock Turner was by all accounts an all-American student before he was convicted of sexual assault. Turner had been facing up to 14 years in prison, with prosecutors requesting he be sentenced to six.

Judge Aaron Persky, however, dismissed both the sentencing guidelines and the recommendations of prosecutors in sentencing 23-year-old Turner to six months in prison for assaulting a female student behind a dumpster. It is likely that with good behavior, Turner will be out of jail in only six months.

snip:

“I would say it’s a case of privilege,” Banks said. “It seems like the judge based his decision on lifestyle. He’s lived such a good life and has never experienced anything serious in his life that would prepare him for prison. He was sheltered so much he wouldn’t be able to survive prison. What about the kid who has nothing, he struggles to eat, struggles to get a fair education? What about the kid who has no choice who he is born to and has drug-addicted parents or a non-parent household? Where is the consideration for them when they commit a crime?”

Although the judge was empathetic to Turner, Banks said the judge in his case couldn’t have cared less.

http://yourblackworld.net/2016/06/07/wrongfully-convicted-black-man-who-spent-5-years-in-prison-for-rape-comments-on-white-students-lenient-sentence/

[brush]

1. No one should can any longer deny white privilege exists, even more accurately . . .

Last edited Wed Jun 8, 2016, 05:25 AM - Edit history (1)

white male privilege.

[MrScorpio]

2. Bingo...

That's exactly what Turner was the beneficiary of... Handed to him on a silver platter.

[ck4829]

3. It is as if we have two different judicial systems in this country

One for the affluent, privileged, wealthy, and connected. One that considers the defendant's rights, that if prison is too harsh then they don't have to go, and they are free while their case drags on.

And another one for everyone else. With the opposite of all those perks.

K&R.

[brer cat]

4. I don't suppose that sentence

had a severe impact on Banks' life.

[Dorian Gray]

5. I think this case

REALLY shows the disparity that happens in the judicial system. It's not the only issue that infuriates people, but the unequal scope of the law is pretty flagrant.

The stanford sentencing really does highlight white male privilege. The impact on HIM is much more important to the judge than the impact on his (Female) victim. And across the country, black male offenders are sentenced much much differently than this "nice swimmer from Stanford."

I am happy that Bank's conviction was overturned, but he suffered greatly from his lack of privilege.

[wolfie001]

6. I pray they recall that idiot judge! nt

[Hoppy]

7. Does California have provision for recall of judges?

In N.J., the Supreme Court can discipline a judge. Same for California?

[Ligyron]

8. I sure hope so. n/t

[petronius]

9. Certainly undermines the argument that Turner is more a case of 'athlete-privilege'

or anything other than white male privilege. Banks would have been a textbook recipient of sports-privilege, if that was the dominant factor in our (sometimes) justice system...


The full NY Daily News article, and its embedded links, are worth a read as well:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/wrongfully-convicted-brian-banks-disgusted-brock-turner-ruling-article-1.2663595

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/wrongfully-imprisoned-banks-career-nfl-article-1.2090727