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By Associated Press
POSTED: 02:36 p.m. EDT, Jun 11, 2009
COLUMBUS: An Ohio judge recently ordered two rape victims to appear before their confessed attackers in court, an insensitivity that shows why so many rape victims don't come forward, a victims' rights advocate said.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Timothy Horton acknowledges that the two cases weren't his finest hours and says he's evolving as a judge after three years on the bench.
Often, rape cases are settled in way that protects victims from retelling their stories on the witness stand. But in two recent unrelated cases, Horton said he wanted to hear from the victims — a 19-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy — to make sure they understood the sentences the defendants were receiving in return for their guilty pleas.
When the woman began to break down on the stand in late April, transcripts show the judge threatened to toss out the guilty plea if she didn't compose herself.
''About two minutes here, if you don't gather yourself, I'm about to rip up this guilty plea, and this man in front of you is about to walk. So I would do your very best to gather yourself,'' Horton said, according to court transcripts.
Catherine Harper Lee, executive director of the Justice League of Ohio, said 70 percent of rape victims don't report their attacks.
''With that lack of compassion and threat of injustice, it's no wonder,'' she said.
In the other case, earlier this month, Horton relented and the boy was allowed to give a written statement through his mother about molestation that began when he was 9.
''At least this protected the child from further trauma,'' Harper Lee said.
Horton said he was not confident that either victim understood what the plea agreements meant, and wasn't completely satisfied with their resolutions. The female victim, for example, had said she would be content if her attacker got a three-year sentence, although a 10-year sentence could be imposed for one count of rape.
''The most important thing for me is to try to get it right,'' Horton said. ''I understand the state can speak for them, but I wanted to make sure the victim was content with the process.''
Information from the Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com.
COLUMBUS: An Ohio judge recently ordered two rape victims to appear before their confessed attackers in court, an insensitivity that shows why so many rape victims don't come forward, a victims' rights advocate said.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Timothy Horton acknowledges that the two cases weren't his finest hours and says he's evolving as a judge after three years on the bench.
Often, rape cases are settled in way that protects victims from retelling their stories on the witness stand. But in two recent unrelated cases, Horton said he wanted to hear from the victims — a 19-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy — to make sure they understood the sentences the defendants were receiving in return for their guilty pleas.
When the woman began to break down on the stand in late April, transcripts show the judge threatened to toss out the guilty plea if she didn't compose herself.
''About two minutes here, if you don't gather yourself, I'm about to rip up this guilty plea, and this man in front of you is about to walk. So I would do your very best to gather yourself,'' Horton said, according to court transcripts.
Catherine Harper Lee, executive director of the Justice League of Ohio, said 70 percent of rape victims don't report their attacks.
''With that lack of compassion and threat of injustice, it's no wonder,'' she said.
In the other case, earlier this month, Horton relented and the boy was allowed to give a written statement through his mother about molestation that began when he was 9.
''At least this protected the child from further trauma,'' Harper Lee said.
Horton said he was not confident that either victim understood what the plea agreements meant, and wasn't completely satisfied with their resolutions. The female victim, for example, had said she would be content if her attacker got a three-year sentence, although a 10-year sentence could be imposed for one count of rape.
''The most important thing for me is to try to get it right,'' Horton said. ''I understand the state can speak for them, but I wanted to make sure the victim was content with the process.''
Information from the Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 03:04 PM, 06/11/2009
This judge sounds like a complete f-cking moron.
Norton, OH
Posted 03:05 PM, 06/11/2009
---''About two minutes here, if you don't gather yourself, I'm about to rip up this guilty plea, and this man in front of you is about to walk. So I would do your very best to gather yourself,'' Horton said.---
Wow, what a jerk.
Posted 03:17 PM, 06/11/2009
Oh God Help Us.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:45 PM, 06/11/2009
Maybe this Judge should experience what those two victims had to experience.
Posted 04:55 PM, 06/11/2009
Scum bag Judge
he should be immediately removed. No waiting for the next election BS!!!
Canton, OH
Posted 05:41 PM, 06/11/2009
"Squeel like a pig", Your Honour. . with apologies to the fine movie, Deliverance. . .
San Diego, CA
Posted 10:04 PM, 06/11/2009
With regard to judge Horton, the law has been flaunted in favor of violence, victimization and the self gratifying power of the judges seat. It is unfortunate his self gratification and perverted sense of justice comes from the abuse of victims. To threaten a rape victim whose attacker has already plead guilty reeks of Europe during the 1940's
Uniontown, Oh
Posted 10:01 AM, 06/12/2009
It is no wonder that 70% of the victims choose to stay silent against their attackers. Judge Horton is a player on the side of the rapists. Shame on him!
