Death Threats for Judge in Stanford Rape Case

The judge who triggered a major public outcry after issuing a six-month sentence in the Stanford rape case has received numerous death threats following his decision. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky has faced a massive backlash for handing down the sentence to 20-year-old student Brock Turner last week—a prison term that has been slammed as far too lenient for the crime. Prosecutors had demanded a six-year sentence for the 2015 rape, in which Turner assaulted a fellow college student while she was unconscious. But Persky said “a prison sentence would have a severe impact” on Turner, who is also a competitive swimmer. Representatives of the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office on Wednesday said the courthouse had been forced to boost security following threats against Persky. In addition to the death threats, Persky now also faces increasing calls for him to be removed from his post.