Stanford rape case: Republican Congressman demands court overturns Brock Turner's 'pathetic' sentenc

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Independent

Stanford rape case: Republican Congressman demands court overturns Brock Turner's 'pathetic' sentence

'The punishment for rape should be longer than a semester in college,' Ted Poe told Congress
Lizzie Dearden |
@lizziedearden |
9 minutes ago

A Republican Congressman has called for the judge in the Stanford University rape case to be removed and demanded the “pathetic sentence” he handed to Brock Turner be overruled.

Ted Poe took the floor in the House of Representatives to decry the six-month jail term given to the student athlete for three felony counts of sexual assault. Turner was found guilty of attacking an unconscious woman behind a bin on campus, being caught in the act by two passing cyclists.

Passing sentence, Judge Aaron Persky said prison would have a “severe impact” on 20-year-old Turner, citing his clean criminal record after taking into account statements mentioning his swimming career and hopes to represent the US in the Olympics.

“This judge got it wrong,” Mr Poe said. “There’s an archaic philosophy in some courts that sin ain’t sin as long as good folk do it.


Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/stanford-rape-case-republican-congressman-court-overturns-brock-turners-pathetic-sentence-a7073801.html

[Hulk]

1. Easy to say....to gain some fame and try to save his flondering ass...

He knows it will never happen. This goper is simply using the tragic event to further his political ambitions, and he knows damn well it means nothing in the future for this frat brat.

[TipTok]

28. Say nothing... Wrong...

Say something... Wrong...

You don't see some hypocrisy there?

[Hulk]

31. Say nothing....say something....just wrong no matter.

So why not just stfu and quit with the making brownie points for your political career.

[truthisfreedom]

2. Where's our Democratic Congresscritters on this?

Why aren't they speaking up?

[Sherman A1]

4. That is

a question well worth asking. There needs to be a serious amount of outrage from our Democratic Congressional Members along with other notables.

This fellow may have been just using this verdict to score political points, but he at least has spoken out and done so from the floor of the House, so it is in the Congressional Record.

[Nay]

12. Yeah, why is a REPUB speaking out about this first? Good heavens, can't

the dems get out ahead of the Pubs in anything anymore?

[Sunlei]

16. Mrs. Warren just yesterday spoke about how Republicans attack the courts instead of trying to change

policy. Of course republicans will use the courts to change laws to benefit wealthy people.

[WhiteTara]

21. Jackie Spiers is reading her letter to the judge

into the congressional record today. More will come from that.

[Fresh_Start]

30. they have entered the victim statement in the congressional record..

they have a session scheduled for the body to read the statement together

[alcibiades_mystery]

32. Because they believe in an independent judiciary?

[SkyDaddy7]

3. WOW!

A white male Republican from Texas actually speaking out publicly against this idiot judge's sentencing! And Republican Rep. Ted Poe is typically a Conservative knucklehead! Nice to see!

[iandhr]

22. Broken clocks are right twice a day.

[handmade34]

5. "sin ain’t sin as long as 'good' folk do it"

wow... a Republican that actually gets it... good for him for making this speech

[AwakeAtLast]

7. Yes!

Does he realize he is describing the majority of the GOP?

[keithbvadu2]

9. "as long as good folk do it"

Think of the republican letters of support for Dennis Hastert.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. 99% of America agrees with the Congressman

How exactly which is to say what legal means will they use to
invalidate the sentence and overturn it, from a legislative standpoint?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

17. I don't get it either.

Three things:

First, no matter how inadequately copy editors are pretending to go about their jobs, this was a sexual assault case, not a rape case. A handful of news organizations seem to get it. The rest, I don't know, but if they can't get this right, what else are they getting wrong?

Second, Poe "demands court overturns," so he's not looking for a legislature, somewhere, to invalidate the decision. If he were, is that such a good idea? Are you sure you want a legislature to invalidate every court decision that upsets them?

Obergefell v. Hodges, anyone?

Third, IANAL, but is not the only way for a decision to be overturned is for it to reach the appellate level? I believe that's up to Turner's attorneys. Is there a mechanism in California or anywhere for a court to take up, on its own, a case that has not been presented to them?

[Geronimoe]

20. Simple answer

Because he raped her. Penetrating her vagina while she was unconscious is rape.

[IronLionZion]

8. It's good that a person with federal political influence is speaking out

even if he's a conservative Republican. He said the judge got it wrong using an archaic philosophy and expressed sympathy for the victim and the ordeal she experienced at the hands of the courts. That's something substantial that reflects a need to adjust some policies in the judicial system.

[7962]

10. Seems as though we CAN find something we all agree on!

But CAN the sentence be changed?
Either way, I'm betting "Brock" has a tough time getting a job, unless its with daddy

[The Green Manalishi]

13. Yep. Just as much outrage across the political spectrum

Incidents such as this are how we end up with mandatory sentencing laws, however.

[7962]

24. Very true. Definitely another way of looking at it.

We've heard many times that "minimum sentencing" laws take away the judge's discretion, but then you get a judge like this and everyone goes the other way.
Its like the child molester laws. You could be 17 & have consensual sex with your 16 yr old girlfriend 1 day before she's 17 and be tarnished with the same label as some 40 yr old preying on a 12 yr old stranger. Although I believe those laws are being changed. I know they have been altered in GA

[Paladin]

11. I guess it had to happen: I finally agree with Ted Poe on something.

Don't go putting pin-up pictures of Poe on your wall for this. He's an asshole.

[Sunlei]

14. Republicans should stand up for the victims, not attack Judges. Make an official case through the co

courts, a Congress member should know exactly how!

[oberliner]

15. Very bad idea

Congress should not be in the business of overturning judicial decisions. Sets a very bad precedent, no matter what may think of this particular case.

Seems like this is all about politics - Congressman wants to show how tough he is on bad guys.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

18. You're right. See response #17,

which I was composing as you were replying.

Is it good idea for a legislature to invalidate every court decision that upsets them?

Obergefell v. Hodges, anyone?

[TexasBushwhacker]

19. And the judge is a Democrat n/t

[lunatica]

23. I'm glad there's an outcry

This judge and sentence needs a major slap down. As does the rapist.

[maxsolomon]

25. The prosecution can appeal the sentence

but it's would take a couple weeks to pull it together, unlike the Internet Condemnation Machine. I presume the victim has a say in whether to pursue it, but I'm not lawyer.

[scscholar]

26. Republicans have no respect for the courts!

And just don't grok separation of powers.

[christx30]

29. We have seperation of powers,

but there are checks and balances. And congress may not be able to invalidate the judge's idiotic decision, but with enough powerful people screaming about it, maybe we can make things uncomfortable for the judge.

And courts aren't owed respect. They get it if they earn it. This idiotic judge doesn't deserve it.

[cstanleytech]

27. Actually I suspect Poe isnt really angry over this sentence rather Poe is using it

since its an election year also its perfect dog and pony show to push for more laws that take the sentencing away from judges and impose more minimum mandatory sentencing guidelines on them and we all know how well that has worked for out country with its every growing prison population.