Stanford Sexual Assault Case Judge Cleared In Misconduct Investigation

Eric Risberg / AP

An independent California agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct cleared the judge in the Stanford sexual assault case of any wrongdoing after sentencing Brock Turner to six months in county jail.

Brock Turner

Handout / Reuters

The Commission on Judicial Performance concluded that Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky's sentencing was within “parameters set by law and was therefore within the judge’s discretion."

The agency said it received thousands of complaints Persky was too lenient when sentencing the former Stanford student convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster in 2015.

Brock Turner was convicted of three counts of sexually assaulting a woman, and faced up to 14 years behind bars. Persky sentenced Turner to six months in county jail and probation.

At the sentencing, Persky said a longer prison sentence would have a "severe impact" on Turner, who served half of his sentence and was released in September.

Persky

Jason Doiy / AP

The case received widespread attention after the survivor released a letter she read to Turner in court.

Persky's sentence was highly criticized for being too lenient, and the Commission on Judicial Performance said it received complains Persky abused his authority and displayed "gender bias and failed to take sexual assault of women seriously." The agency also received complaints that Persky showed favoritism to Turner because both men were Stanford athletes.

"The commission has concluded that there is not clear and convincing evidence of bias, abuse of authority, or other basis to conclude that Judge Persky engaged in judicial misconduct warranting discipline," the ruling reads.

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