Do you remember the story of Brian Banks, the 17 year old high school football star who was falsely accused of rape in 2002 and ended up spending over 5 years in prison because of it? His 6 year conviction was only overturned after a secret recording was released of the victim, who sued the school district for $1.5 million and won, admitting she was lying about the rape altogether. The victim, Wanetta Gibson, ended up having to pay $2.6 million to Banks for ruining his life with her false allegations. Still, Banks thought his NFL dreams were lost completely, but luckily the Atlanta Falcons gave him an opportunity and he joined the practice squad in 2014.
Now we have Brock Turner, student athlete at Stanford University, who admitted to sexual assault against an unconscious woman and was convicted of three rape counts. He will only serve 6 months behind bars. He and his father believe he should avoid jail altogether because it will “have a severe impact” on his life, the victim was drunk and his life shouldn’t be altered over a 20 minute mistake.
Six months for what Banks was tried as an adult and served 5 years behind bars for? Banks calls bullsh*t.
“I would say it’s a case of privilege,” Banks said. “It seems like the judge based his decision on lifestyle. He’s lived such a good life and has never experienced anything serious in his life that would prepare him for prison. He was sheltered so much he wouldn’t be able to survive prison. What about the kid who has nothing, he struggles to eat, struggles to get a fair education? What about the kid who has no choice who he is born to and has drug-addicted parents or a non-parent household? Where is the consideration for them when they commit a crime?”
I’d have to agree with Banks, here. 6 months for a 20 year old who knows better is light weight. Whether or not he has to register as a sex offender is irrelevant.
