The 21st Show

Conviction, reversal and outrage: The aftermath of a sexual assault

Produced by Erica Scalise and Anna Casey
 
An Adams County judge's decision to reverse his ruling on a sexual assault case has ignited a firestorm of controversy and has victim advocates outraged.

An Adams County judge's decision to reverse his ruling on a sexual assault case has ignited a firestorm of controversy and has victim advocates outraged. Courtesy of WGEM-TV via WIFR-TV

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The removal of Adams County Judge Robert Adrian from the criminal court docket has garnered nationwide attention this past month. After the judge overturned a conviction for a sexual assault case of a 16-year-old girl. Adrian has been accused of making comments many classify as victim-blaming. The judge also said the nearly five months that Drew Clinton served, of the minimum four years he was assigned, was plenty of punishment. Meanwhile, The Adams County state’s attorney’s office is trying to reinstate the original verdict against the perpetrator. 

Today, we were joined by a journalist covering the story, the executive director of an anti-domestic abuse organization, and an associate professor of law to unpack the details of the case.

GUESTS: 

Matt Hopf 

Executive Editor, Herald-Whig newspaper in Quincy and the Hannibal Courier-Post

Megan Duesterhaus, Ph.D.

Executive Director, QUANDA (Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse) 

Daniel McConkie

Associate Professor of Law at Northern Illinois University

 

 

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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