Anger over rape verdict

Anger over rape verdict

By Adam Hanieh

ADELAIDE — On August 24, a court here acquitted a man accused of raping his wife. The judge's remarks to the jury outraged many people.

The judge told the jury that it was quite astounding the lengths that people will go to when a relationship breaks down. He then proceeded to tell a story about a woman in England who was clinically insane and had framed several men for rape.

The jury acquitted the defendant on all counts of rape — he had pleaded guilty to assault.

Sarah, a friend of the assaulted woman, told Green Left, "What kind of credibility is this going to give to her evidence — what does a story about a mad woman in England have to do with this case? Judicial bias rides high again!"

From GLW issue 71