Thirteen years ago, Brian Banks was tried as an adult and sentenced to six years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit; in May 2012, a judge dismissed his case. Banks, who now works in the L.A. NFL office, says he is disgusted by the Brock Turner ruling, reports the New York Daily News. He says Turner’s privilege informed the judge’s decision:
“I would say it’s a case of privilege. It seems like the judge based his decision on lifestyle. He’s lived such a good life and has never experienced anything serious in his life that would prepare him for prison. He was sheltered so much he wouldn’t be able to survive prison. What about the kid who has nothing, he struggles to eat, struggles to get a fair education? What about the kid who has no choice who he is born to and has drug-addicted parents or a non-parent household? Where is the consideration for them when they commit a crime?”
And Banks has a point: In the case of Turner’s mug shot alone, privilege has certainly taken a front seat here.
