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Stanford Rapist Brock Turner Will Get Out of Jail Three Months Early

The student whose six-month sentence started a raging debate on privilege for white, affluent rape defendants will end up serving only half of it.
Photo by Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office via AP

Brock Turner, the Stanford University student serving a controversial six-month sentence for rape that critics say is too lenient because he is a white star athlete from a well-off family, will serve only half his prison time.

Related: Public Defender: Stanford Rapist Got 'Exact Same' Sentence as Person of Color Would

Turner was convicted of three counts of sexual assault last Thursday, including including assault with intent to commit rape of an intoxicated or unconscious person, penetration of an intoxicated person,and penetration of an unconscious person, facing a maximum of 14 years in prison. He had been found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, behind a dumpster, after meeting her at a party.

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Outrage flooded the internet after the sentencing, because many believed his punishment should have been far harsher. Now, he's due to be released three months earlier than planned.

According to the website of California's Santa Clara County Department of Corrections, he is to be released on Sept. 2, 12 weeks before his planned release, because "it was assessed that he was unlikely to misbehave behind bars." Turner is currently appealing his conviction, and seeking a transfer to his home state of Ohio to serve his three-year probation.

The case stirred emotions especially after the victim's statement in court, written in the form of a letter to Turner, was published online and shared widely. The "Stanford rape case" became the latest, controversial episode in an ongoing debate sweeping the US about rape culture, privilege in the criminal justice system, and campus safety.

Even after the conviction, Turner continues to claim consent was present during the assault. Despite his claims, the victim, who has remained anonymous, has received widespread support online, and multiple petitions have been created to recall the judge who imposed the six-month sentence.

Follow Adam Hamze on Twitter: @adamhamz