www.csua.org/u/x44 -> news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/savannah-dietrich-twitter-sexual-assault-louisville-174732753.html
could face contempt of court charges after she tweeted the names of her juvenile attackers. Savannah Dietrich, the 17-year-old victim, was frustrated by a plea deal reached late last month by the two boys who assaulted her, and took to Twitter to expose them--violating a court order to keep their names confidential. "There you go, lock me up," Dietrich tweeted after naming the perpetrators. "I'm not protecting anyone that made my life a living Hell."
Attorneys for the attackers asked a Jefferson District Court judge to hold Dietrich in contempt for lashing out on Twitter. She could face up to 180 days in jail and a $500 fine if convicted. The boys have yet to be sentenced for the August 2011 attack.
"I'm at the point that if I have to go to jail for my rights, I will do it. If they really feel it's necessary to throw me in jail for talking about what happened to me as opposed to throwing these boys in jail for what they did to me, then I don't understand justice." Dietrich was assaulted by the pair after passing out at a party. On June 26, the boys pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse and misdemeanor voyeurism. "They got off very easy," Dietrich, who says she was unaware of the plea agreement before it was announced in court, said in her interview with the newspaper. "They said I can't talk about it or I'll be locked up," Dietrich tweeted after hearing, according to the paper.
is more important than getting justice for the victim in Louisville," she added. A hearing for the contempt of court charge is scheduled for July 30. Attorneys for Dietrich want it open to the media, while the boys lawyers want it closed. Both the Gannett-owned Courier-Journal and Dietrich's attorneys "have filed motions to open the proceedings, arguing she has a First Amendment right to speak about what happened in her case," the newspaper said.
should not be legally barred from talking about what happened to her," Gregg Leslie, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, told the Associated Press.
Reno, Nevada o 16 hrs ago Beyond any doubt she is guilty of contempt of court. This is an example of why we elect District (States) Attorney's and Judges. With the press behind her, she can actually hurt the judge and prosecutor more than they can hurt her. Anything more than a scolding will end this judge's career. And with the veil of anonimity blown away the judge can't afford to let the rapists skate as planned. America works as long as Americans stand up of themselves and our rights.
Deana "Dee" McDonald District Judge Louis D Brandeis Hall Of Justice 600 W Jefferson St. Louisville, KY 40202 Jefferson (502) 595-4960 (Phone) (502) 595-3270 (Fax) Dist.
Dan o 21 hrs ago There is no way it is constitutional to place a gag order on a victim regardless of the ages or crimes involved. If these mutts object let them sue her in civil court and if the judge dosen't apoloigise and drop all charges against her he should be disbarred...
Claude M 12 mins ago @ Collinjojo: The boys are awaiting sentencing, so they are not off free. read the article again and you will find a few things missing, like sentence the boy will receive. The article says that the girl feels the boys are going to get off easy, however we don't actually know if they are or not. The gag order also does not keep her from talking about it, it keeps her from releasing the names of minors (that are not being charged as adults). If you were really outraged you would be angry at the DA for not pressing for tougher punishment (like trying them as adults) but since they haven't then maybe they know something you don't.
bigoleal57 20 mins ago @claude "no violence or force was used" did you really post this? sexual assult is a violent act, and if she did not say ok than it is force, what color is the sky in your world cause you are not the sharpest knife, PS please do not reproduce we do not need any more idiot's like you...
New Orleans, Louisiana o 1 day 0 hrs ago I have long been of the opinion that the only time names should be withheld is when the VICTIM is underage. When the criminals make the decision to commit the crime, they are no longe innocents being protected. If they are old enough to rape, photograph, show it around, etc, they are old enough to have their names made public. Nobody hides the names of adult criminals, why let juveniles hide? A criminal is a criminal, and they give up their rights when found guilty. Perhaps if we began treating these underage punks like the crooks they are, they may think twice about some of the choices they make. My other issue is this: If they raped a girl, I have a right to know that if I am a female, or if I have a daughter who may go to school with them, or if my granddaughter is going to be playing outside. As a law abiding, NON RAPING individual, I have a right to know who they are so I can protect MY female friends and relatives.
She does not deserve to be punished for speaking out against them, regardless of the gag order which should ONLY have been in effect DURING the trail, NOT afterwards!
Political correctness is going to be the downfall of this nation. It's time to do what's right and not just what the book says! I will be very interested to see what the sentencing will be. Light sentences turn criminals into pro's when they weigh the consequences against the crime.
Stuart, Florida o 1 day 0 hrs ago What the heck kind of justice is this? These "creeps" get to walk, and this poor girl, (a victim) goes to jail for not protecting the names of these predators?
San Diego, California o 1 day 0 hrs ago This is pure #$%$ She has the right to freedom of speech. The juvenile criminals may be protected from being named in newspapers, but she has every right to broadcast their names!
Fort Worth, Texas o 1 day 0 hrs ago Letting little thuggies off for their "first time" offense because they need a second chance. It is so frustrating that law enforcement does their job, then the courts slap their little paddy cakes and turn them loose again to commit more crime.
Lori o 1 day 0 hrs ago Only in America can the boys who sexual assaulted a girl be hiden behind the Law. She has rights and the judge and prosecutor are taking them aways. I hope she prevails once again and is able to help others.
An area of the statue of former Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno stood sits empty after it was removed by workers outside Beaver Stadium on July 22, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State's president Rodney Erickson made the decision Sunday to remove the statue in the wake of the child sex scandal of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. It's believed that Paterno had detailed knowledge of Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing children before and after Sandusky retired from coaching at Penn State.
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