Onetime top California football prospect Brian Banks exonerated of kidnap-rape

[roo_ster]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/onetime-top-california-football-prospect-brian-banks-exonerated-kidnap-rape-conviction-article-1.1084001


Here's what instapundit had to say:

MAY 24, 2012
REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO SAY THAT WOMEN DIDN’T LIE ABOUT RAPE? “Former high school football standout exonerated in rape case.” “According to court papers, she admitted to him she lied but later refused to tell prosecutors the same thing lest she have to give back the $1.5 million she and her family won in a civil suit against Long Beach schools.”

From the article:

[Advised by his lawyer to] take a plea deal rather than having the "he said-she said" case go to trial... [Brian] Banks pleaded no contest to one count of forcible rape, was incarcerated for about six years and had to register as a sex offender.

In a movie-worthy twist, his former accuser got in touch with him via Facebook after he left prison. The two eventually met in person.

According to court papers, she admitted to him she lied but later refused to tell prosecutors the same thing lest she have to give back the $1.5 million she and her family won in a civil suit against Long Beach schools.`

Reminds me of a police buddy who worked sex crimes and child crimes (mostly sex-related, too).  "Yeah, about half of the accusers, adult or otherwise, are lying."  Not a job I'd want to have.

[Viking]

So, will she get punished for lying about him raping her? I'm guessing not .

[roo_ster]

So, will she get punished for lying about him raping her? I'm guessing not .

Why do you hate women?

[RoadKingLarry]

The woman destroys the mans life, even after recanting there is no way to make it right.
I'm not sure what justice would be in this case.

[TommyGunn]

Why do you hate women?

It is not about "hating women" it's about punishing someone who "bore false witness."  She also had to lie to police, and lie under oath in a court -- which, last I checked, were both crimes. 
Are women above the law now...or what?   

[makattak]

It is not about "hating women" it's about punishing someone who "bore false witness."  She also had to lie to police, and lie under oath in a court -- which, last I checked, were both crimes. 
Are women above the law now...or what?   

I believe your sarcasm detector is broken...

[TommyGunn]

What the ***** is a "sarcasm detector??" 

[230RN]

Accusations are too cheap and defense too expensive.

Don't know what the punishment should be beyond that for perjury.

But that ain't enough.

[SADShooter]

Wide publicity and social shunning SHOULD be the response. Unfortunately, it's no longer acceptable to stigmatize anything, except the idea that destructive behavior should be stigmatized.

[MechAg94]

Lying like this should have consequences. 

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

shes not the only one who needs to be punished
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/02/28/new-evidence-may-clear-name-of-star-local-football-player-convicted-of-rape/


no real evidence and a hurry up deal pressed on a 16 year old by his landshark

[Tallpine]

False accusation should be punished with the maximum penalty for the alleged crime 

[RevDisk]

False accusation should be punished with the maximum penalty for the alleged crime 

That'd be not good. Someone gets raped or molested, alleged criminal spends a boatload of cash or influence to crush them, and now can wave that in the face of his future victims.  "Tell Mommy about this, and you'll go to jail too!"

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

they had no case   his lawyer talked a 16 year old into pleading guilty as a convenience  he thought the deal over for 10 freaking minutes   at 17
  alone

[RevDisk]

they had no case   his lawyer talked a 16 year old into pleading guilty as a convenience  he thought the deal over for 10 freaking minutes   at 17
  alone

That alone should get the lawyer disbarred. I always wondered why the Public Defenders don't get a budget equal to the DA, prosecutors and police.

[brimic]

I always wondered why the Public Defenders don't get a budget equal to the DA, prosecutors and police.

Losing criminal trials makes Mayors and their appointed DAs look bad.

[Regolith]

I always wondered why the Public Defenders don't get a budget equal to the DA, prosecutors and police.

+1000. I'm extremely fiscally conservative, but personally I think the State ought to bear the entirety of the cost of prosecuting someone, including hiring a decent lawyer of the defendant's choosing (within reasonable limits). They can recoup the expenses if they find the person guilty.

Might make them think a little bit harder before railroading someone.

[230RN]

^

Good suggetions, Regolith and RevDisk

They say, "Justice costs," but the flip side should be "Injustice costs," too.

[roo_ster]

I believe your sarcasm detector is broken...

I wasn't blatant enough:

Why do you hate women and puppies?

[agricola]

+1000. I'm extremely fiscally conservative, but personally I think the State ought to bear the entirety of the cost of prosecuting someone, including hiring a decent lawyer of the defendant's choosing (within reasonable limits). They can recoup the expenses if they find the person guilty.

Might make them think a little bit harder before railroading someone.

We have a similar system over here - Legal Aid - and whilst its a great system, it is somewhat prone to abuse from the legal community (who have used it to earn somewhat large fees*, in the region of £900,000 a year in some instances).  Our CPS will also prosecute people who make false allegations, including people who falsely accuse others of rape.

Also that kids lawyer really wants shooting, or failing that suing for a great deal of money.

* admittedly less than "private" law would generate, but thats not the point