Audrie Pott Case - Rapists Sentenced to No More Than 45 Days in Juvenile Hall
The three teens arrested for the sexual battery of Audrie Pott have been sentenced by a court, but their sentencing comes as a bit of a let-down to those familiar with the case of the teen who was raped and footage of the crime then distributed. Pott committed suicide in September 2012, eight days after the assault.
Two of the young men accused of the crime continue to attend Saratoga High and are now 16; the third boy is now 17 and transferred to Christopher High School. All three were sentenced to no more than 45 days in jail; two of them have already served 30 days during the weekends in juvenile hall. The reason for their lighter sentences is due to the fact that they were tried in juvenile court instead of adult. Had they been in adult court, they could have faced up to 10 years for their crime.
Pott's family is struggling to deal with the sentences in light of their daughter's death.
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"As much as we strongly disagree with and are actively attempting to change the lenient privacy laws afforded to juveniles even when they commit as here heinous acts on an unconscious minor, we cannot publicly comment on any aspect of the criminal proceedings involving these young men," the family lawyer, Robert Allard, told the press.
During the trial, the prosecutors alleged that Pott's parents failed to seek "professional help" for their daughter's "longstanding and serious emotional problems" before her suicide. They attempted to place some of the blame on the parents, which infuriated family and friends.
"The sole issue in this case is the callous behavior of the suspects which directly led to Audrie's unnecessary death," Allard said in a statement at the time. "Since this lawsuit was filed, it has become quite clear to us that the suspects refuse to accept responsibility or show remorse for their actions. This case is and will always be about the tragic consequences associated with sexual assault and cyber bullying."
