White privilege..
Judge says prison 'inappropriate' for New York man who sexually assaulted 4 teens
Nov. 18, 2021, 12:41 PM EST
By Elisha Fieldstadt
A New York man who pleaded guilty to rape and sexual abuse for assaulting four teenage girls when he was also a teen avoided prison when a judge sentenced him Tuesday to eight years probation, according to an attorney for one of the victims.
Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III said a prison sentence for Christopher Belter, 20, “would be inappropriate," according to The Buffalo News.
The ruling shocked the courtroom and Belter's victims.
"My client threw up in the ladies room following the sentencing," Steven M. Cohen, an attorney for one of the victims told NBC News. He added that she was "deeply disappointed in the sentencing."
"I have been practicing law for over 30 years. If Chris Belter was not a white defendant from a rich and influential family, in my experience he wouldn’t have received the original plea deal, and he would surely have been sentenced to prison," Cohen said.
Barry N. Covert, an attorney for Belter, declined to comment. Covert told reporters in the courtroom that his client was “remorseful.”
more:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-says-prison-inappropriate-new-york-man-sexually-assaulted-4-teen-rcna6001
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