Denver, CO (The Weekly Vice) -- Meredith Hollen, a 40 year old former teacher at Graland Country Day School teacher who faced 12 felony counts of sexual assault on a child was convicted and sentenced. What was her punishment? PROBATION.
Hollen, who no longer resides in the state, pled guilty to sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust. After entering the plea, she was immediately sentenced. As part of a plea agreement, the 11 other counts of sexual assault were dismissed.
Prosecutors, aware that their arrangement with the defendant would outrage the community was quick to point out that the arrangement was made in accordance with the victim child's wishes.
"This case was very much driven by the victim's wishes," said Lynn Kimbrough, a spokesperson for the Denver District Attorney's office "This plea agreement didn't have anything to do with her gender."
"A big factor in the probationary sentence was the fact that the victim wished to remain anonymous," she said. "Because of that reason, prosecutors requested that the arrest warrant affidavit, which describes the offenses, remain closed," she added.
The Weekly Vice Opinion:
Well, alright then! It would appear now that under aged children now direct the outcome of criminal cases in Denver. Case closed? Well Ms. Spokesperson, that won't do.
First, victims are protected with anonymity anyhow, and if Denver prosecutors are unable to uphold the law that provides them that, they should be fired.
The whole purpose behind providing a victim an anonymous status is to 1. protect the victims privacy and 2. preserve the integrity of the case. Denver prosecutors, you failed. You failed all the way around. You failed the victim. You failed future victims and you failed the community that depends on you to protect their kids.
Now a teacher indicted on 12 counts of sexual assault on a minor not only flees the state - but avoids jail time and walks away from the crime. We're sorry. Probation is a cop out.
The Denver community should be outraged and remember this case the next time they find themselves at the polling booth. Who is the Attorney General in this state? What kind of a legal system is he presiding over - when teachers are free to assault their children, move out of state and avoid jail time?
Absolutely unacceptable!
Danny Vice
The Weekly Vice
http://weeklyvice.blogspot.com
bottom photo credit: The Denver Post
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5 comments:
The N.O.W organization fought long and hard to get "equal" rights for women. Well, I think it is high time that our judicial system starts treating female sex offenders just as harshly as they do male sex offenders. It is getting rather stale to keep reading how female sex offenders keep getting rather lightly, while the law throws everything, including the kitchen sink at male sex offenders, WHY?
If we are to have equal rights under the law, then either start treating women as harshly as the men, or lets start giving male sex offenders the same light sentences as the women. After all, fair is fair.
That should have read: "It is getting rather stale to keep reading how female sex offenders keep getting treated rather lightly..."
Abouna, We've been polling our visitors for their opinion on "should female offenders receive equal sentences to that of male offenders"?
So far, the poll is trending 3 to 1 in favor of enforcing the law equally. So your comments appear to be dead on with the majority.
Personally, I believe women should have a slightly harsher punishment then men. Why? Because females are born with a natural maternal instinct. We are given the responsibility of primary care giver from day one... It's not only a responsibility, but it's also a gift... a very special one. To breach it deserves capitol punishment in all forms... I also believe males and females both should be forced into a sterility operation upon conviction. Why should they be allowed to ever again produce another child just so they can repeat the offense and leave another child to grow up in the system?
I'd say that female teachers should face the same punishment as men for having sex with students under 16, but after that I'd be more lenient on female teachers than males, for this reason: a male teacher can impregnate a female student, but a female teacher can only impregnate themselves. But NOBODY should be having sex with kids under 16, period. In my mind that's much more serious. And as far as a female teacher having sex with a male student 17 or older, if I were the world's judge, that would be a misdemeanor. Pay the fine Miss Chips, and be more discreet next time.
BTW, I think that one of the biggest signs that a teacher has lost their mind is when they call or text message a student. That's just asking to be found out, after (A) the student shows incriminating texts or photos around, or (B) a parent finds said texts, photos, or the call log.
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