This photo taken Nov. 10, 2009 shows Emily, left, and Sarah Kunstler posing outside the house where they grew up with there father, Civil Rights attorney William Kuntsler, in Greenwich Village, New York. The sisters acclaimed documentary film about their father, "William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe," will premiere in New York on Nov. 13 and and select cities nationwide. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Has there been a rush to judgment in the case of the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl outside her homecoming dance in Richmond, California?
The incident took place on October 24. Six young men are in custody for the crime. The suspects are facing potential life sentences.
Sarah Kunstler is the 33--year-old daughter of the late civil rights attorney William Kunstler, who represented one of the defendants in the Central Park Jogger case.
She told the San Francisco Chronicle, that lesson of the Central Park Jogging case is that we should not rush to judgment and "not to let our horror at the crime blind us to the rights of the people charged," she said. "That's when mistakes happen. That's how innocent people end up spending their childhoods in prison."
Five men were convicted in that 1989 New York case based on their confessions that they said were coerced. But the convictions were later overturned after a man confessed in 2002 to committing the rape alone. DNA evidence confirmed the man's confession. The district attorney's office said the confessions of the original five defendants were inconsistent and didn't match the facts of the case.
Sarah Kunstler told the Chronicle that she doesn't know the details of the Richmond gang case, but added, "I know that my father would have been concerned that the young men arrested would have been convicted in the court of public opinion before they ever made it into the courtroom. I think it's one of the hardest moments, when you have to suspend judgment and have patience and look for the truth."
It should be noted that the Richmond case differs substantially from the New York case. Police say they have a mountain of evidence against those charged in Richmond, including DNA evidence and eyewitness statements. Unlike the New York case, there were numerous eyewitnesses to the the Richmond attack, including possibly the victim herself. The victim in the Central Park case suffered a brain injury and was not able to remember the rape. Forensic science has also advanced significantly over 20 years making the conviction of an innocent person much less likely.
Kunstler was in the San Francisco Bay Area to promote a documentary about her father, "William Kunstler, Disturbing the Universe," which is playing at the Opera Plaza Theater in San Francisco and Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley. Kunstler co-directed the film. A video trailer of the film is below.
Click here for information on how you can help the victim in the Richmond gang rape case.
Related stories:
Video: Officials in Richmond, California honor woman who called 911 in gang rape case.
In wake of gang rape, 'Coach Carter' returns to high school in Richmond, California (video)
Richmond, California, gang rape witness says he fought off attacker (video link)
Decision to call 911 on Richmond, California, gang rape was made by group (video)
Community in Richmond, California, continues to rally in support of gang rape victim (video)
911 caller in Richmond, California, gang rape says she can't believe no one called sooner (video)
Interview with Richmond, California, Police gang rape investigator (raw video)
Did lack of parental involvement play a part in the gang rape of girl in Richmond, California?
Friend of Richmond, California, gang rape victim blasts school district (video)
Police in Richmond, California, say gang rape suspects 'crumbled' under interrogation (video)
Can bystanders be charged in Richmond, California, gang rape? Experts disagree. (video)
Witnesses describe horrific gang rape of 15-year-old girl in Richmond, Calfornia
Click here for a previous article on a statement that was issued by the girl’s family at a public meeting on Saturday, October 31.
Click here for a previous article based on an earlier CNN interview with the woman who reported the rape to police.
Click here for a CNN interview with Coach Carter and his plans to return to Richmond High.
Click here to go to a slideshow with photos related to the case.
Click here for a story on a anti-violence community rally.
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Comments
Of course, a fair trial is required for justice to be done but considering the presence of eyewitnesses, the "over 685 pages and 28 DVDs" of evidence (including DNA and possibly even cellphone/text records and recordings) and that the victim remembers some details of the attacks, to compare the two crimes is beyond absurdity.
In light of these crimes and that so many did nothing to help, the threats against some from coming forward with information and the lack of child porn and aiding and abetting charges for those in the mob who recorded and enouraged the over two hours of violations and assaults that left the victim in critical condition it is no surprise people are furious and demanding action.
Kunstler admits "she doesn't know the details of the Richmond gang case" and was "in the SF Bay Area to promote a documentary about her father" that she co-directed and this seems like a very callous and irresponsible exploitation of these brutal and sadistic crimes the victim endured.
"Sarah Kunstler told the Chronicle that she doesn't know the details of the Richmond gang case,"
Well Sarah maybe you should educate yourself on this case before passing judgement & using this case to promote a film based on your Dad's case back in 1989.
Two well educated sisters from the USA do not have any
knowledge of this case, but millions of people around the world have details of it? I live in Canada. I'm appalled by this crime & shocked at the lack of concern & empathy for the victim.
This brutal attempted murder & vicious rape & beating with weapons on a young defenseless 16 year old girl by many selfish brutal pigs, with an audience of dozens of cowards enjoying/encouraging the suffering of the victim & not one vermin made a 911 call to help her, instead they
phoned friends to join them, take photos & film it.
God Help all the females related to or may cross paths with any of them. They have no idea of the value and worth of another human! The truth has been revealed.
It is always wonderful to see a pseudo celebrity trying to gain attention and recognition on the back of a woman that was brutilized. While I agree that no one should "rush to judgement", to compare the Central Park Jogger case to this one is short sighted at best, and lets everyone know that the woman/women involved in this particular documentary project truly care nothing about this victim.
I have been faithfully following this case because I know that as time goes on the general public will forget, giving the Prosecution the opportunity to get lazy and sloppy. Please know that there are many of us who will never forget this victim, what was done to her, and the callous attitudes of not only those that watched what happened, but also people like Miss Kunstler who speak about a case without first taking time to study the details!
"Rush to judgement on the Richmond, California, gang rape case?" Why does writer Ed Walsh use this headline to compare the 1989 rape case with the 2009 Richmond Attempted murder?
Sarah Kunstler along with Ed at the Examiner & the Chronicle are fine with exploiting the Brutalized Victim in 2009, who has a life time of pain to endure!
For a film based on Kunsters Dad. Shame On all of You!!
"5 men were convicted in the 1989 New York case based on their confessions that they said were coerced?"
Better suited head-lines to advertise their film:
'Lessons learned from the 1989 case: Don't confess to a crime you did not commit unless you want a prison sentence. Don't be coerced by police into a false statement - Tell the truth! Don't roam the streets robbing & assaulting innocent people! You run the risk of getting arrested & accused of the crimes in the area that you and your gang are prowling!' Show strength, decency, dignity, to help not hurt others!!!
Your question of a rush to judgment is IGNORANT. There has already 685 pages of written discovery and 28 DVDs containing photographs and interviews admissible as evidence for the charges. I think 685 pages and 28 dvds of evidence will tide us over until the DNA evidence comes back. You cannot compare this crime to the 1989 New York case, a 20 year old case. Crime investigations have improved EXPONENTIALLY over the past 20 YEARS. Don't waste our time, these men and male teens have been properly, accurately and justifiably charged with the crimes. Be true, quit comparing apples and oranges and using this case as an excuse to promote an unrelated documentary for your own acclaim. Nice try using this case as an excuse to interview Ms. Kunstler, I believe she would be disgraced that you attempted to compare these two crimes with the EXTENSIVE evidence in the Richmond investigation. A horrendous crime was committed and you are using this as an excuse to play JOURNALISTIC PUPPET THEATER.
Cue the fake smiles of those who would capitalize on the suffering of others.
Shut up and go do something worth while! You have no right to write on this subject as you obviously don't know what you are talking about!
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