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Loading ...Man who assaulted lesbian gets sentence delayed
07.24.2009 5:00pm EDT
(San Diego) A judge granted a sentencing delay last Tuesday to a man who assaulted a lesbian musician while she hugged her girlfriend.
The lawyer for Vinzen Matthew Williams, 21, sought the delay so that his client could undergo a psychological evaluation.“I need more time to complete a proper statement in mitigation,” wrote attorney Paul Rodriguez in a motion filed with the court on behalf of his client.
Judge Kathleen Lewis allowed for the delay, which lasts until September 10, so that she could consider the evaluation in her sentencing.
Rhythm Turner, 25, was sent to the hospital on May 14 with two facial fractures, one on her nose and the other under her eye socket, after Williams punched her in the face. Turner, a singer and guitarist, later made a Youtube video in which she explained the assault and revealed that Williams made several slurs against lesbians during the attack.
Williams could be sent to prison for a maximum of four years, though the District Attorney’s office agreed not to oppose a one year sentence with probation.
Read the full Gay & Lesbian Times story here.
ljrhodes Said: What on Earth was that all about?
Simple. This guy could end up with a slap on the wrist, while the victim will end up with this haunting her for the rest of her life.
i can’t believe this. why should he get off with one year when she has to live the rest of her nights having nightmares of this. i can’t believe a woman (of all things)jugde would let this happen.
Comixbear wrote, “Williams could be sentenced to one year in prison. Turner could be sentenced to a lifetime in Hell.”
What on Earth was that all about?
Psych evaluation–including competency evaluation and competency and/or sanity resoration–is almost always pretrial. You don’t go through a trial and then deal with those questions–that’s extremely rare. I’d like very much to know why the judge and/or the prosecutor are willing to make this gesture for the defendant after he’s already been found guilty at trial. If you’re saying he’s too crazy to be held responsible, that’s what a competency evaluation is for–and that’s why you do it before trial, to avoid wasting time and money. Forget hate crime–dude left this woman with two fractures. If he wasn’t too crazy to be tried, he’s not too crazy to do his time.
Williams could be sentenced to one year in prison. Turner could be sentenced to a lifetime in Hell.
It strikes me that the court regards his crime as a less serious offense because he assaulted a Lesbian. This is one more example of why hate crimes legislation is needed. We cannot give just a slap on the wrist to those who commit hate crimes against anyone.
He should do the 4 years and get a real taste of the hate crimes that our people have to indure daily. What a slime!!
I’ll do a psychological examination right here: he’s a narrow-minded guy suffering from homophobia. Tada!
Can all of you hear Williams laughing his butt off at this event?? And bragging to all of his think alike friends? Mr. Rodriguez is probably laughting with him. Everyone who is surprised please raise your hand.