Rape Threats, White Powder Sent To Stanford Law Professor Behind Campaign To Recall Judge In Brock Turner Case

Michele Dauber, a Stanford Law professor who launched a campaign against the judge who delivered a notoriously lenient six-month sentence for rapist Brock Turner, has faced threats on her life as a result of her activism.

According to The Washington Post, rape threats were received by Dauber after she advocated for the anonymized Emily Doe, who was raped by Turner. Calling for the removal of Judge Aaron Persky after his widely criticized decision in the case, Dauber has also had mysterious parcels mailed to her address.

“Since you are going to disrobe [Judge Aaron] Persky, I am going to treat you like ‘Emily Doe’. Let’s see what kind of sentencing I get for being a rich white male," read a note sent in a "glitter bomb" package sent from ShipYourEnemiesGlitter.com.

Dauber, who is the chairwoman of the “Recall Persky Campaign" to have the judge disrobed, faced escalating threats after a petition created to take down Persky received more than 94,000 signatures.

Another rape threat came in on Valentine's Day in the form of a letter containing a mysterious white powder substance. Stanford evacuated parts of the law school building after the letter was opened. The substance was later determined to be harmless.

“It’s been upsetting and scary, but I think it’s very important that the campaign goes forward,” Dauber said. “We’re not going to be intimidated. We’re going to keep advocating for survivors of sexual assault and of violence against women. I think it’s very important to send a message that we’re not deterred.”

Supporters of Persky have launched a counter-campaign: Voices Against Recall. The group worries about the long-term legal impacts the recall of Persky may bring about.

“The recall is a constitutional right of voters. It’s a feature, not a bug, of our system,” Dauber has argued. “Our campaign is extremely carefully messaged and aimed at high-status white college athletes who have committed violence against women, and I don’t think judges will be so illogical that, because of our campaign, they need to increase sentences for poor minority drug offenders. I think that’s nonsense, and I think there’s nothing to support that.”

Persky has made no comments on the recall campaign.

“When I became a judge, my role changed — I am required to consider both sides. California law requires every judge to consider rehabilitation and probation for first-time offenders. It’s not always popular, but it’s the law, and I took an oath to follow it without regard to public opinion or any personal opinions I might have as a former prosecutor," Persky is quoted as saying on the Voices Against Recall website.

[Photo: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office]