Dad Of Former Stanford Swimmer Says Son Is Paying Harsh Price For '20 Minutes Of Action'
PALO ALTO, Calif. (CBSNewYork/AP)-- The father of a former Stanford University swimmer who received six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman has drawn outrage by saying his son has already paid a steep price for "20 minutes of action.''
Dan Turner said in a letter to the judge that the conviction has shattered 20-year-old Brock Turner, who has lost his appetite.
Dan Turner wrote that it's "inappropriate" to incarcerate someone who has "no prior criminal history and has never been violent with anyone including on the night of January 17."
The letter was made public over the weekend by a Stanford law professor who wants Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky removed from office over the sentence.
Persky, a Stanford graduate, sentenced Brock Turner to six months in county jail and three years' probation after the victim read an emotional statement in court that got widespread attention.
Two petitions on Change.org also push for a recall of Persky, who's running unopposed for re-election Tuesday.
The young victim of Brock Turner's assault told the court her case should not be viewed as "a drunk victim discarded behind a dumpster" and that the sentencing should not be affected just because Brock Turner is "the all-American swimmer."
"This is not a story of another drunk college hookup with poor decision making. Assault is not an accident," the victim said, according to a transcript of the statement published by Buzzfeed.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
