Our elected officials should represent their voters’ values, and should be held accountable for how they measure up to that task. Judge Persky’s sentencing of less than the minimum sentence for Stanford swimmer Brock Turner for attempted rape, because it was an “unusual” case, demonstrates a level of bias that makes him unfit to be a judge. This is only one of several instances where Persky has demonstrated concerningly lenient judgment for serious offenders of sex crimes and gender-based violence, particularly for those of privileged status.
The argument to retain Judge Persky in order to maintain judicial independence does not stand for me because he is an elected official and thus subject to recall. Considering his history, I am exercising my right and voting to recall Judge Persky on June 5th.
Mingming Caressi
Palo Alto
