An Open Letter to Judge Persky | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter to Judge Persky

(From the Brock Turner Case)

7
An Open Letter to Judge Persky
The NY Times

You don’t know me, but the sentence you gave to Brock Turner for those 3 felony charges, embarrassed me. It embarrassed me to be associated with a criminal justice system that can give such a light sentence for 3 felony convictions. As a future lawyer, it enraged me to think that someone who studied the same law that I will one day, could come to such a different conclusion about Brock Turner. No, I wasn’t at his trial. No, I didn’t see all the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense. However, I did read the victim’s letter. I have read every article I could find on this case. Justice is meant to be blind. Justice is supposed to be a deterrent. Justice is supposed to give victim’s peace of mind that the wrong(s) done to them have been righted, to an extent. I have seen marijuana charges be sentenced more harshly than what you gave to Brock.

All that you did for him was to reaffirm what he has repeatedly been told by his family; “It’s alright” His father called it “20 minutes of action” in his letter to you. His mother talked about how her life, her husband’s life and her son’s life are forever altered. They didn’t mention one word about the victim’s life. Brock Turner’s father later said that the VICTIM should have been punished for being a slut. This is someone who grew up with financial means, attended a prestigious school, and was an Olympic swim team hopeful. None of that should have mattered after he committed his crimes. The only thing that should have mattered was the crimes that he committed, and the fact that he never took responsibility for his actions; He would only admit to drinking too much alcohol. You said at the sentencing hearing that prison would have an adverse effect on Brock. An adverse effect on a sex offender. Please, take a minute to think about that again. You are concerned about the adverse effects on a rapist, rather than the adverse effects on his victim.

Brock Turner is no longer the star swimmer and Stanford student. He is now a convicted rapist. His victim said it best, when she addressed him initially in her impact letter, “You don’t know me, but you have been inside me”


That is all she should have needed to say, in order for you to give him the sentence that the prosecutor asked for. Instead, you showed concern for the offender, who broke the law knowing what he was doing was not only wrong, but a crime. A crime of moral turpitude, I might add. You sent a message when you handed down that sentence. You told college aged men that getting a woman drunk to the point of unconsciousness and then sexually assaulting her was/is something to be taken lightly. Defense attorneys can now cite this case in an attempt to get their client a lighter sentence. I’ve heard that Brock intends to appeal his case. I hope that the Appellate court’s remand the case back down to the trial courts for a harsher sentence. I do hope that you receive some sort of sanctions for that sentence. His victim deserves proper justice.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196130
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18408
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460525
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28126
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments