Hooooooly shit.
Judge Aaron Persky, whose recently came under fire for sentencing ex-Stanford student Brock Turner to just six months jail and three years probation for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, has been reportedly removed from a new sexual assault case.
The Santa Clara DA‘s office issued a statement saying that following recent events, it now “lacks confidence” in Persky’s ability to fairy participate in the upcoming hearing, which involves a male nurse allegedly sexually assaulting an anaesthetised female patient.
“This is a rare and carefully considered step for our Office,” it said.
The DA’s office’s full statement is below:
“We are disappointed and puzzled at Judge Persky’s unusual decision to unilaterally dismiss a case before the jury could deliberate. After this and the recent turn of events, we lack confidence that Judge Persky can fairly participate in this upcoming hearing in which a male nurse sexually assaulted an anaesthetised female patient. This is a rare and carefully considered step for our Office. In the future, we will evaluate each case on its own merits and decide if we should use our legal right to ask for another judge in order to protect public safety and pursue justice.”
Over one million people have signed a petition to have Persky removed from office, a move that the DA – while being “disappointed” in the sentencing – does not think should happen.
