The following piece contains explicit and graphic descriptions of sexual content.
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piece → follow → content
There is new evidence, in the form of text messages, suggesting that the “Cornell 7” — the male Cornell students accused of heinous crimes in a now-infamous lawsuit, two years after the fact, and had their lives destroyed in the process — were the victims of a false narrative that originated with the accuser’s sorority sisters, desperate to protect the reputation of their sorority.
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that → be → sorority
We’re going to discuss that evidence and what it means for the case — and the rule of law in this country.
But first — on the subject of how the system is stacked against male defendants in cases like this — there was a moment during Russell Brand’s sentencing that we didn’t discuss earlier that really should be getting a lot more attention.
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that → go → attention
It’s a perfect illustration of how the legal system — both in the UK and the U.S. — has become a complete farce, where kangaroo courts are operating right out in the open.
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courts → ’ → open
Particularly when they want to send a conservative to prison, they will simply forget about basic principles of due process and fairness.
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they → want → process
Instead, they will berate you for even attempting to defend yourself against their onslaught of allegations.
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they → berate → allegations
This is footage of the judge — Justice Bennathan — right before he sentenced Russell Brand.
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he → sentence → Brand
Listen to what he says:
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he → listen → what
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a judge lecture a defendant for presenting a defense, but that’s what happened.
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what → think → defense
He’s attacking Russell Brand for telling his lawyers to cross-examine the women accusing him of serious, horrific crimes.
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He → attack → crimes
We’re supposed to feel bad that these women had to answer questions on the witness stand, with their credibility called into question, as if they’re somehow being “re-victimized” again or whatever.
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they → suppose → question
In other words, he’s telling Russell Brand that he should’ve just pleaded guilty.
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he → tell → Brand
How dare he point out that there’s zero evidence whatsoever, aside from these women’s claims, to corroborate any of the charges?
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he → point → charges
How dare he point out that these alleged crimes all occurred nearly two decades ago, and none of these women told the police at the time?
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none → point → time
How dare he point out that the supposedly incriminating text messages sent by Russell Brand, which were introduced into evidence, were simply recounted from memory by his accuser — because the phone company lost the text messages since this all happened so long ago?
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this → point → messages
How dare his lawyers observe that the main accuser consented to degenerate sexual activity with Brand on multiple occasions 17 years ago and, therefore, we really have no way of knowing whether she’s telling the truth about one specific sex act that occurred as part of a larger sexual encounter that she did consent to?
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she → observe → that
He should’ve just accepted his fate the moment the British government decided to destroy him for becoming a conservative.
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government → accept → him
That’s what the judge is saying.
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judge → ’ → what
Keep in mind — the jury acquitted Russell Brand on several of the charges that were brought against him.
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that → keep → him
What happened is that the jury dismissed the charges where the women’s story changed, where she didn’t report it at the time, or where the details were hazy.
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details → happen → time
But they convicted Brand on the charges where the women mostly kept their story straight or told other people at the time about what had happened (So basically, in every case, the convictions were based solely on the women’s testimony — it’s just a question of whether the woman repeated her claim to other people or not).
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woman → convict → people
If the judge had his way, Brand would’ve simply pleaded guilty to all the charges and accepted a much longer sentence.
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Brand → have → sentence
The judge thinks that would be appropriate to spare these brave women he wants to pay “tribute” to.
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he → think → tribute
Perhaps he wanted Brand to present evidence of his own guilt and then plead for a longer sentence.
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Brand → want → sentence
At least the judge claims he didn’t increase Brand’s sentence because he exercised his right to defend himself.
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he → claim → himself
So that’s something.
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that → ’ → ?
Begrudgingly, he won’t tack on 5 years to the sentence because the concept of “cross-examination” exists.
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concept → tack → examination
Of course, if cross-examination was not a factor in sentencing, then there’s no reason for the judge to mention it at all.
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judge → ’ → it
The mere fact that the judge said this, as we all know, is a pretty clear indication that he harbors resentment toward Russell Brand for daring to stand up to the inquisition.
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he → say → inquisition
There’s no way he didn’t sentence him to a longer sentence because of it.
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he → ’ → it
After all, Brand got a much harsher sentence than murderers and child predators.
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Brand → get → murderers
You can kill someone in Britain and get 5 years in prison.
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You → kill → prison
The judge will make excuses for you, saying you “momentarily lost control” — especially if you’re a Muslim, a woman, or identify as transgender.
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you → make → control
Meanwhile, Russell Brand got 10 years plus a lecture from the judge about how he’s a horrible person for even attempting to defend himself.
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he → get → himself
The foundational legal principle that a defendant is allowed to defend himself — it’s right there in the name, actually — was held against Brand.
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it → allow → Brand
The other foundational legal principle of “beyond a reasonable doubt” was suspended entirely in order to get Brand into a prison cell.
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principle → suspend → cell
You may believe he is guilty because, in your mind, he seems like the kind of guy who would do what he’s accused of doing.
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he → believe → guy
You may subjectively determine that, in the game of he said/she said, you tend to believe the “she” instead of the “he.”
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you → determine → she
I wouldn’t agree with it, but you can have whatever opinion you want.
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you → agree → opinion
But in no universe — at least not in this one, and especially not in the West where we’re supposed to have a fair and sophisticated judicial system — can it be claimed that this subjective opinion about the credibility of the accusers and the presumed moral failings of the defendant amounts to guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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opinion → suppose → doubt
…and 246 more, not listed.
The Aporia
