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'''Brock Allen Turner''' (born August 1, 1995, in Dayton, Ohio) is an American male citizen who was convicted in a 2016 jury trial of three counts of sexual assault. The crime occurred on January 18, 2015. The trial is known as ''People of the State of California v. Brock Allen Turner''. Turner, a student athlete (swimming) of Stanford was found outdoors by passersby with an unconscious 22-year old female non-student who was partially unclothed on top of her and performing pelvic thrusts. He admitted that he had "fingered" her. The law in California was soon thereafter amended to include digital rape within the definition of the word "rape", but such a change cannot be applied retroactively to this case.

'''Brock Allen Turner''' (born August 1, 1995, in Dayton, Ohio) is an American male citizen who was convicted in a 2016 jury trial of three counts of sexual assault. The crime occurred on January 18, 2015. The trial is known as ''People of the State of California v. Brock Allen Turner''. Turner, a student athlete (swimming) of Stanford was found outdoors by passersby with an unconscious 22-year old female non-student who was partially unclothed on top of her and performing pelvic thrusts. He admitted that he had "fingered" her. The law in California was soon thereafter amended to include digital rape within the definition of the word "rape", but such a change cannot be applied retroactively to this case.

The premature charges of "rape" file by the female prosecutor, which were the "verifiable truth" of a sort for many months, closely associated Turner's name with the word. The case became widely (but improperly) known as the '''Stanford rape case'''. There is a great deal of amateur coverage of the case that simply uses the word "rape" to describe what happened. Although sexual assault and rape are often conflated, even by FBI measurements, Turner committed sexual assault, not rape.<ref>http://www.dailywire.com/news/6683/was-stanford-rapist-actually-rapist-amanda-prestigiacomo</ref>

The premature charges of "rape" file by the female prosecutor, which were the "verifiable truth" of a sort for many months, closely associated Turner's name with the word. The case became widely (but improperly) known as the '''Stanford rape case'''. There is a great deal of amateur coverage of the case that simply uses the word "rape" to describe what happened. Although sexual assault and rape are often conflated, even by FBI measurements, Turner committed sexual assault, not rape.<ref>http://www.dailywire.com/news/6683/was-stanford-rapist-actually-rapist-amanda-prestigiacomo</ref><ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/stanford-rape-case-brock-turner-victims-statement-a7074246.html</ref><ref>http://time.com/4362949/stanford-sexual-assault-not-rape/</ref><ref>http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/06/brock-turner-sexual-assault-felony.html</ref> The case, and in particular the lengthy victim impact statement presented by the unnamed victim after the verdict, received a great deal of publicity.

<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/stanford-rape-case-brock-turner-victims-statement-a7074246.html</ref><ref>http://time.com/4362949/stanford-sexual-assault-not-rape/</ref><ref>http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/06/brock-turner-sexual-assault-felony.html</ref> The case, and in particular the lengthy victim impact statement presented by the unnamed victim after the verdict, received a great deal of publicity.

The victim was so intoxicated with alcohol that she recalled nothing of the entire evening. The judge in the case, judge Aaron Persky, commented afterward to a [[journalist]] that he believed Turner's version of the events, in particular that the victim explicitly granted him consent for sexual activity.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brock-turner-ex-swimmer-judge-in-stanford-sex-assault-case-i-take-him-at-his-word/</ref> Persky received a great deal of negative publicity for the 6-month sentence he meted out. He later switched to handling civil cases for at least the rest of the year.

The victim was so intoxicated with alcohol that she recalled nothing of the entire evening. The judge in the case, judge Aaron Persky, commented afterward to a [[journalist]] that he believed Turner's version of the events, in particular that the victim explicitly granted him consent for sexual activity.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/news/brock-turner-ex-swimmer-judge-in-stanford-sex-assault-case-i-take-him-at-his-word/</ref> Persky received a great deal of negative publicity for the 6-month sentence he meted out. He later switched to handling civil cases for at least the rest of the year.

After being arrested, Turner soon withdrew as a student from Stanford University. The university banned him from ever setting foot on campus again. The governing body for competitive swimming in the USA, USA Swimming, banned him for life.

After being arrested, Turner soon withdrew as a student from [[Stanford University]]. The university banned him from ever setting foot on campus again. The governing body for competitive swimming in the USA, USA Swimming, banned him for life.

As of 2017, Turner is on the sexual offender registries in Ohio. Turner resides at his parent's residence and is preparing his appeal.

As of 2017, Turner is on the sexual offender registry in Ohio. Turner resides at his parent's residence and is preparing his appeal.

==Indictment and charges==

==Indictment and charges==

==Trial proceedings==

==Trial proceedings==

The trial began on March 14, 2016. The prosecution was conducted by Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Alaleh Kianerci. The defense attorney was Michael Armstrong of Palo Alto firm Nolan, Armstrong & Barton.<ref>http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/03/28/jury-gets-stanford-campus-sex-assault-case/</ref><ref>http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/05/31/former-stanford-athlete-brock-turner-years-in-prison-or-months-in-jail-for-sexually-assaulting-unconscious-woman/</ref><ref>https://www.theodysseyonline.com/brock-allen-turner-case-facts-from-assault-sentencing</ref><ref>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-former-stanford-swimmer-convicted-sexually-assault-20160330-story.html</ref><ref>http://www.salon.com/2016/06/11/timeline_of_significant_dates_in_the_life_of_brock_turner/</ref><ref>http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/stop-smiling-brock-turner-transcripts-show-he-laughed-after-witnesses-stopped-him/</ref><ref>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-former-stanford-swimmer-convicted-sexually-assault-20160330-story.html</ref>

The trial began on March 14, 2016. The prosecution was conducted by Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Alaleh Kianerci. The defense attorney was Michael Armstrong of the Palo Alto firm Nolan, Armstrong & Barton.<ref>http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/03/28/jury-gets-stanford-campus-sex-assault-case/</ref><ref>http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/05/31/former-stanford-athlete-brock-turner-years-in-prison-or-months-in-jail-for-sexually-assaulting-unconscious-woman/</ref><ref>https://www.theodysseyonline.com/brock-allen-turner-case-facts-from-assault-sentencing</ref><ref>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-former-stanford-swimmer-convicted-sexually-assault-20160330-story.html</ref><ref>http://www.salon.com/2016/06/11/timeline_of_significant_dates_in_the_life_of_brock_turner/</ref><ref>http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/stop-smiling-brock-turner-transcripts-show-he-laughed-after-witnesses-stopped-him/</ref><ref>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-former-stanford-swimmer-convicted-sexually-assault-20160330-story.html</ref>

The jury composition was four women and eight men, and two alternating jurors, both men.

The jury composition was four women and eight men, and two alternate jurors, both men.

===Opening statements===

===Opening statements===

Turner maintained his plea of innocence. He claimed that the victim willingly went with him after briefly socializing at the party. Turner took the stand and testified that the victim eagerly engaged in sexual acts with him on the ground and that she ignored the pine needles in her hair and pelvic area. He testified that he was too drunk himself to realize she had passed out.

Turner maintained his plea of innocence. He claimed that the victim willingly went with him after briefly socializing at the party. Turner took the stand and testified that the victim eagerly engaged in sexual acts with him on the ground and that she ignored the pine needles in her hair and pelvic area. He testified that he was too drunk himself to realize she had passed out.

===Concluding arguments===

===Closing arguments===

Kianerci invoked the jurors to disregard Turner's privileged circumstances. She indicated that the assault was a crime of opportunity and she characterized him as the "face of campus sexual assault."

Kianerci asked the jurors to disregard Turner's privileged circumstances. She indicated that the assault was a crime of opportunity and she characterized him as the "face of campus sexual assault."

Armstrong reminded the jury that the area behind the dumpster was not very secluded, as evidenced by the passersby spotting him. He reminded them that they Turner pleaded ignorance with passersby and suggested that he was afraid of them and that was why he ran.

Armstrong reminded the jury that the area behind the dumpster was not very secluded, as evidenced by the passersby spotting him. He reminded them that Turner pleaded ignorance with passersbys and suggested that he was afraid of them and that was why he ran.

===Verdict===

===Verdict===

The jury deliberated for just about one day. They delivered their verdict on March 30, 2016. Turner was found guilty of three felonies: assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman, sexually penetrating an intoxicated person with a foreign object, and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object.

The jury deliberated for just about one day. They delivered their verdict on March 30, 2016. Turner was found guilty of three felonies: assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman, sexually penetrating an intoxicated person with a foreign object, and sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object.

==Sex Offender Registry Data==

==Sex Offender Registry data==

Turner is on the Ohio sex offender registry as a "Tier III" offender. This is the most serious level of offender under the national attempt of a uniform code via the "Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act" of 2006.<ref>http://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=2365255&AgencyID=55149 Note: go to homepage to search</ref><ref>https://sheriff.franklincountyohio.gov/services/sex-offender-registry/sex-offender-classification.cfm</ref>

Turner is on the Ohio sex offender registry as a "Tier III" offender. This is the most serious level of offender under the national attempt of a uniform code via the "Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act" of 2006.<ref>http://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=2365255&AgencyID=55149 Note: go to homepage to search</ref><ref>https://sheriff.franklincountyohio.gov/services/sex-offender-registry/sex-offender-classification.cfm</ref>

==Commentary==

==Commentary==

The case received a wide amount of publicly in the USA and elsewhere in the world. Feminists in particular where outspoken about it. Upon arriving to his parents residence in Dayton, Turner ran a gauntlet of protesters waving poster and at least one firearm, with the poster scrawled with slogans such as "Kill the rapist".

The case received a wide amount of publicly in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Feminists in particular where outspoken about it. Upon arriving to his parents residence in Dayton, Turner ran a gauntlet of protesters waving poster and at least one firearm, with the poster scrawled with slogans such as "Kill the rapist".

The victim in her impact statement asserted that she was so debilitated emotionally that she quit her job and was having difficulties caring for herself. She did not indicate that she was taking any sort of remedial action such as receiving any proper counseling, therapy or other assistance to help her emotionally cope with these claimed difficulties.<ref>https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2852615-Stanford-Victim-Letter-Impact-Statement-From.html</ref> Nonetheless, she managed to give an extensive interview with ''Glamour Magazine'' that was published on November 1, 2016.<ref>http://www.glamour.com/story/women-of-the-year-emily-doe</ref>

The victim in her impact statement asserted that she was so debilitated emotionally that she quit her job and was having difficulties caring for herself. She did not indicate that she was taking any sort of remedial action such as receiving any proper counseling, therapy or other assistance to help her emotionally cope with these claimed difficulties.<ref>https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2852615-Stanford-Victim-Letter-Impact-Statement-From.html</ref> Nonetheless, she managed to give an extensive interview with ''Glamour Magazine'' that was published on November 1, 2016.<ref>http://www.glamour.com/story/women-of-the-year-emily-doe</ref>

This case might have implications for whether the USA is drifting back towards the natural tendencies of lynch mob justice (under the influences of feminism and liberal-tending notions of political correctness) rather than towards the notion of [[rule of law]]. It may also be worthy to assess the loss of a somewhat promising swimming career due to a case of sexual assault where the judge saw fit to mete out a light sentence. There are other considerations, such as the prospect of Turner being able to continue his education and ever finding gain employment at his level of demonstrated talent and becoming productive citizen of the USA.

This case might have implications for whether the United States is drifting back towards the natural tendencies of lynch mob justice (under the influences of feminism and liberal-tending notions of political correctness) rather than towards the notion of [[rule of law]]. It may also be worthy to assess the loss of a somewhat promising swimming career due to a case of sexual assault where the judge saw fit to mete out a light sentence. There are other considerations, such as the prospect of Turner being able to continue his education and ever finding gain employment at his level of demonstrated talent and becoming a productive citizen..

==References==

==References==