Allan Stokke is also quoted in an OC Register article (I corrected a typo in the below quote)

"Defense attorney Al Stokke, pleading on Friday for Judge Richard Toohey to sentence teacher Sarah Bench-Salorioto only three years in prison, made the same argument for leniency I would have: "Where was she when I was 13?"

Stokke, to be fair, wasn't quoting his own feelings (necessarily), but was summing up what he says are studies of the impact on victims of female-on-male molestations. However crude the statement, that is the prevailing sentiment, Stokke was saying.

While men who molest minors use coercion, the typical young male who is seduced by an older woman looks forward to the encounters, helps plan them, even brags about them."

It does seem like the writer of the article picked Stokke's most outlandish quote, but, to me at least, this does appear to indicate what kind of lawyer he is in the courtroom.

I'd like some commentary on this, as I'm not a lawyer, but his statement above (without reading a more full transcript) seems to either be an attempt to obfuscate the gravity of his client's crime or a very poor attempt at a joke (a kind of "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" to the judge). Perhaps it's both?

 Satchmo -- 6/05/2007 2:55 PM  

Howard, I'm wondering if we're just seeing Mr. Stokke confront issues in a way he's never been privy to before. Enlightenment is never a bad thing. And yet I share your concern that the Post route is not the best way to dampen publicity, and in fact seems to be hounding it.

And Satchmo, you don't have to be a lawyer to see the nudge-nudge in that statement. Sexual abuse of children--no matter the gender--is no laughing matter.

 gorjus -- 6/05/2007 3:38 PM  

Howard,

Thanks for the excellent post, as well as the sensitive comments at the end.

What you call irony I think Ann Bartow and I would consider hypocrisy. I do not mean to discredit Al Stokke for zealously protecting his daughter. I would do the same.

But I do wish that the WaPost had been more zealous in their own journalism. Perhaps the author thought that by disclosing the ironic flip-side, sympathy for Ms. Stokke would be diluted. But I hope that this experience has made him more conscious about the effect of his arguments on the community of women and victims of sexual assault--a community that includes his daughter.

 Dana Nguyen -- 6/05/2007 8:59 PM  

Dana:

I avoided using the word "hypocrisy" here because it is a loaded term that does not necessarily apply. The reality is that attorneys make many arguments on behalf of their clients that they do not adhere to (and need not adhere to) in their personal lives (this is, by the way, similar to the arguments that both John Roberts and Samuel Alito made to distance themselves from some of their more conservative pre-bench advocacy during their respective SCOTUS Confirmations). By talking instead about irony, I was trying to take Stokke's personal beliefs and ideas out of the mix and just focus on the consequences of what he has done professionally on the personal.

 Howard Wasserman -- 6/05/2007 10:41 PM  

"THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ALLISON STOKKE PHENOMENON" - March 31, 2008

(ALL PEOPLE IN AGREEMENT, PLEASE FORWARD AND POST THIS POSTING AT YOUR WILL ON ALL SITES REGARDING MISS STOKKE)

I had not heard about Allison Stokke or the internet fame she has attracted until today. I was actually searching online for information about another person named Allison and I stumbled across many of the websites, pages of blogs, TV interviews, pictures etc about this young woman.

I have spent most of the day reading about the whole sensation and the attention her, her family and boyfriend have endured and I would like to make reiterate some of the remarks I have read and bring up some new food for thought - things I have thought about a lot in American society that have not really been mentioned in any of the things I have read regarding Allison Stokke's phenomenon.

All in all, let me just say that this whole thing is a huge testimony to the statement I have not heard anyone refer to, and that is:

"THE DUMBING DOWN OF AMERICA"

I'm sure we all agree that the internet is now a dangerous place. It is a place where people we never see or meet can hide in the privacy of their own homes and comment on, post pictures of, watch videos of and truly affect the lives of people they may or may not know. I think these people need to:

"GET A LIFE"

It is clear and evident that Allison Stokke is a beautiful young woman with much talent. It is sick that all these people have made her into a sex symbol online without her consent and have created this phenomenon.

"DON'T YOU BLOGGERS AND ONLINE TIME WASTERS HAVE ANYTHING BETTER OR REMOTELY CONSTRUCTIVE TO DO WITH YOUR LIVES? AND IF THIS IS IT, YOU ARE A POOR EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING".

Does seeing an attractive girl in athletic attire really make you want to go ahead and ruin people's lives because it turns you on that much? And if you are turned on that much, you've probably had very little experience with women of any kind.

Furthermore, your comment and websites about whether or not her boyfriend is a 'douchebag' is even more appalling. You are all

'OBVIOUSLY JEALOUS"

to the point that you'd spend your life trying to ruin her boyfriend too. You do not know her boyfriend and you do not know her. You idiots should no better than to

"JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER"

I'm sure she is a very nice young woman and I'm sure she has much better judgement about people and her boyfriend than you lonely computer geeks and internet bloggers ever will.

"I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU GUYS POST YOUR OWN PICTURE WHEN YOU WRITE THIS STUFF - BUT WE KNOW YOU WON'T BECAUSE YOU'RE COWARDS".

If Amanda Beard wants to pose nude for Playboy let her. Leave this young girl alone. If Allison Stokke one day decided to pose for Playboy too, then we are all terrible judges of character, but we know that won't happen.

"HER AGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THIS"

I have read on many pages, that if Allison was in her 20s or older, none of this would be a problem.

"THAT IS GARBAGE"

Stop and think what kind of harassment the internet, media and you blogging idiots give movie actors, models and celebrities. America has become used to bringing down celebrities and posting pics, videos and comments about women and men we see in movies. Paparazzi is a HUGE problem in America and in Hollywood etc, don't bring all that into the life of a young and talented high school girl from California...

"AS HUMANS WE HATE TO BE MADE FUN OF - REMEMBER HOW IT FEELS TO PICKED ON A T SCHOOL OR WORK BY A FELLOW STUDENT OR CO-WORKER? WELL TIMES THAT BY A MILLION AND YOU MIGHT BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND HOW ALLISON AND HER FAMILY FEEL".

America is in the age of celebrity scandals, stolen sex tapes, celebrity madness and worship, internet porn, anonymous blogging etc etc etc.

To all you perverted, sick and lifeless internet bloggers and Allison Stokke sickos:

"DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE OR SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP OTHER PEOPLE LIVES - BETTER STILL GET A LIFE OF YOUR OWN-

YOU GUYS ARE ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC"..

 Anonymous -- 3/31/2008 3:24 PM  

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