People V. Turner 2015 Summary

The People v. Turner case, also known as the Brock Turner case, was a highly publicized criminal case in the United States that drew widespread attention and outrage in 2015 and 2016. The case involved Brock Turner, a former Stanford University student and swimmer, who was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on campus. In this summary, we will delve into the details of the case, the trial, and the sentencing, as well as the aftermath and the implications of the case on the national conversation about sexual assault and campus safety.

Background and Investigation

In January 2015, Brock Turner, then a 19-year-old freshman at Stanford University, attended a party on campus where he met the victim, a 22-year-old woman who was not a student at Stanford. The woman had been drinking and eventually became unconscious. Turner was seen by two graduate students, Peter Jonsson and Carl-Fredrik Arndt, who were cycling by the scene and witnessed Turner on top of the unconscious woman behind a dumpster. The graduate students intervened, and Turner attempted to flee the scene but was caught and held until the police arrived.

Arrest and Charges

Turner was arrested and charged with five counts of felony sexual assault, including rape of an intoxicated person, rape of an unconscious person, and penetration of an intoxicated person. The charges carried a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The case was investigated by the Stanford University Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, and the prosecution was led by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

The trial began in March 2016, and the prosecution presented evidence, including testimony from the victim, the graduate students who intervened, and other witnesses. The defense argued that the encounter was consensual, but the prosecution argued that the victim was too intoxicated to give consent.

Trial and Verdict

On March 30, 2016, the jury delivered a verdict, finding Turner guilty of three counts of felony sexual assault: rape of an intoxicated person, rape of an unconscious person, and penetration of an intoxicated person. The jury acquitted Turner of two other charges: oral copulation of an intoxicated person and oral copulation of an unconscious person.

Sentencing and Aftermath

On June 2, 2016, Turner was sentenced to six months in county jail, with the possibility of release after three months for good behavior. The sentence was widely criticized as too lenient, and it sparked a national outcry about the handling of sexual assault cases and the privilege afforded to perpetrators from affluent backgrounds. The victim’s impact statement, which was read in court, was widely shared and helped to galvanize the public’s attention to the case.

The sentencing controversy led to a recall campaign against Judge Aaron Persky, who had presided over the case and imposed the sentence. In June 2018, Judge Persky was recalled by voters in Santa Clara County, marking the first time a California judge had been recalled in over 80 years.

Implications and Legacy

The People v. Turner case has had significant implications for the national conversation about sexual assault, campus safety, and the handling of sexual assault cases in the justice system. The case highlighted the need for greater accountability and support for victims of sexual assault, as well as the importance of addressing the cultural and societal factors that contribute to sexual violence. The case also led to changes in California law, including the passage of a bill that requires mandatory minimum sentences for certain types of sexual assault.