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Judge Sorry For Crude Remark About Rape Victim
POSTED: 9:31 a.m. EST January 30, 2004
SANFORD, Fla. -- A Florida judge apologized to a rape victim for suggesting she wasn't attractive enough to be raped.
He has also taken himself off the case. A judge in Florida said, "Why would he want to rape her? She doesn't look like a day at the beach," after looking at a photo of the beaten and bruised victim as attorneys were discussing a plea agreement. Should this judge be fired? YesNo
Sanford Circuit Judge Gene Stephenson said he hopes the woman accepts his apology.
Stephenson says he doesn't remember making the comment. But court transcripts showed he said, "Why would he want to rape her? She doesn't look like a day at the beach."
Stephenson made the remark after looking at a photo of the beaten and bruised victim as attorneys were discussing a plea agreement for the 26-year-old suspect, who is charged with raping, beating, kidnapping and robbing the 57-year-old woman.
The woman says she found the comment "appalling" and that she plans to file a complaint with the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
noyes
Judge Sorry For Crude Remark About Rape Victim
POSTED: 9:31 a.m. EST January 30, 2004
SANFORD, Fla. -- A Florida judge apologized to a rape victim for suggesting she wasn't attractive enough to be raped.
He has also taken himself off the case. A judge in Florida said, "Why would he want to rape her? She doesn't look like a day at the beach," after looking at a photo of the beaten and bruised victim as attorneys were discussing a plea agreement. Should this judge be fired? YesNo
Sanford Circuit Judge Gene Stephenson said he hopes the woman accepts his apology.
Stephenson says he doesn't remember making the comment. But court transcripts showed he said, "Why would he want to rape her? She doesn't look like a day at the beach."
Stephenson made the remark after looking at a photo of the beaten and bruised victim as attorneys were discussing a plea agreement for the 26-year-old suspect, who is charged with raping, beating, kidnapping and robbing the 57-year-old woman.
The woman says she found the comment "appalling" and that she plans to file a complaint with the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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