Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast
A Tennessee attorney has drawn outrage over his argument during the trial of a wealthy man accused of rape, during which the lawyer said women are “especially good” at lying, The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. During closing arguments—and before a jury of 11 women and three men—defense lawyer Steve Farese said in Memphis, “People can be really good at lying. Women can be especially good at it because they’re the weaker sex and we... and we want to protect them and not have anybody take advantage of them, at least I do.” When asked to defend his statement in follow-up reports, he said: “My job is not to care if anybody gets offended. Smart people will see it for what it is.” Local leaders, however, immediately reacted to the quotes. Deborah Clubb, executive director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council, called the argument “absolutely despicable.” She added, “I’m stunned. I really am.” Farese is representing local businessman Mark Giannini, who is charged with raping and choking a woman who came to his mansion for a job interview.