Rape Victim Faces Jail

[lizbud]

If the tape shows her unconcious and being touched sexually, how can it be anything but sexual assault at the very least? Getting drunk to the point of unconciousness does not imply consent to anything being done to you.

If I was forced to watch such a tape, I'd make sure to vomit in the judge's lap - because that would be a natural reaction to having to relive it all.

I think the judge is a sadist. What if it was his mother, sister, or
daughter? It seems this case is drawing a lot of free legal help for her if
she is jailed over this.

[dab_20]

That is really stupid. REALLY STUPID of the judge. How can he be so awful as to make her relive what happened to her?!? Just awful....

[AbbyMom]

I read this story tonight and I was stunned that the judge would threaten her with contempt of court for refusing to watch a tape of her own alledged sexual assault. I've never heard of such a thing and frankly it makes me suspicious of the judge's motives. I'm sorry, but that's the way I feel and it makes me sad. The judge's order would probably not hold up under appeal, but I suspect that the purpose is to make her drop the whole thing and so it wouldn't make any difference. Many rape victims cannot take the trauma of a court case and I suspect someone's pushing her to the max.

[Lady's Human]

Just read a Fox news story, the judge has withdrawn the demand evidently after much pressure from the state AG.

[KYS]

Lady's Human:the judge has withdrawn the demand evidently after much pressure from the state AG. >>>>>>>>

Thank Goodness! I was hoping the negative publicity of public outcry would cause
the judge to change his mind. I am appalled that he needed outrage from
the public in the first place. I would not want that judge on
my case.

[JenBKR]

Just read a Fox news story, the judge has withdrawn the demand evidently after much pressure from the state AG.

Oh I am so glad - what a relief!

[moosmom]

Good!! I'm glad they ruled NOT to make her watch it. That stupid judge is nothing but a dirty old man in a robe on a bench, who was looking for a free "peep show". UGH!!!

I also think they were trying to make her drop her case. Glad she stood her ground.

The judicial system needs to stop making the VICTIMS the bad guys in rape cases and concentrate on what's important...putting disgusting criminals who commit the crimes behind bars!!

[Cataholic]

A couple of things. Rape is not about sex, but, about power/conquest. So, when someone says the person deserved, or was asking to be raped, they aren't understanding the psychology of the crime. If rape was about sex, and people 'asking' to be raped by their apparel (or lack thereof), why are completely clothed people raped?

However, I imagine we are missing a significant part of the story as it relates to the Judge's order. If the prosecutor thought introduction of the video tape was necessary for a conviction, I can't think of any other way to get it into evidence unless the victim 'authenticated' it, "yes, that is me on the tape". (The defendant can't be ordered to testify against himself..so, he won't be authenticating it).

In rape/assualt cases, it often comes down to one person's word against another's word, and since the prosecution must prevail beyond reasonable doubt (something we often say is in the 95% range), and sometimes victim's testimony can't stand on its own, I can see how the viewing of the tape could be critical, and where the Judge might be coming from.

I guess if it were me, and I wanted to be sure of a conviciton, I would view the tape.