You know, if there's some prosecutorial or police misconduct associated with a criminal case, I come down on the side of the accused every time, because I fear lawbreaking by the law enforcers more than I fear lawbreaking by criminals (from whom, after all, we expect it). Undermining justice means we live in a society governed by whim and temperament, and I can't stand that.

This "judge" has done just that, only way to the other extreme. With absolutely no evidence of misconduct by the enforcement people, he has released a menace with no regard for the safety of the citizens of Massachusetts, and, as far as I can tell from the article, with no stipulations except to check in with his probation officer for eight years. Not only that, he added one injury to another by making public statements outside the court demeaning the pain of a victim.

If I were the parents, I would seek the help of an outraged lawyer (and in view of the financial situation of the family, it would have to be a pro bono case) to take the judge to civil court for monetary damages due to his "get over it" remark as an abuse of his authority, and I would sue the rapist for every cent he ever makes. The money could go for therapy for the girl. Civil court rules are different, even in Massachusetts, so maybe this could happen.

Although I sympathize with the state legislator who wants to establish sentencing guidelines, these seldom work. They only tie the hands of genuinely good judges. The obvious answer is impeachment of this guy for nonfeasance in office. Perhaps a revision of the description of the duties of judges would provide a systemic tool for going after bad judges, rather than legislating a series of bandaids like sentencing guidelines, which can only address one set of circumstances at a time.

Regards--
Mary Anne