California lawmakers are adding to the blowback after an ex-Stanford swimmer was sentenced to just six months in jail for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.
A dozen Senators and Assemblymembers have asked a state judicial commission to investigate the judge in the case.
Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia co-authored the letter to the Commission on Judicial Performance. She says Judge Aaron Persky handed down a sentence that does not treat the crime with the seriousness it deserved.
"We have been fighting to end this rape culture," says Garcia. "And we have to take advantage of this moment to finally do justice and send a different message to all of the victims out there."
Garcia wants him removed from the bench.
"I’m going to keep pushing and exhaust all means to be successful. These are not the only ways to remove this judge," says Garcia.
Garcia says if the state commission does not act, she will support a candidate to run against the judge in the November election.
In a separate letter, lawmakers asked the Santa Clara County district attorney to appeal the sentence.
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