Barbara Spector, attorney with Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel, released the
following statement today regarding California Attorney General Jerry
Brown’s announcement regarding the De Anza
Rape Case:
Following the Attorney General’s confirmation
of the District Attorney’s decision not to
file criminal charges in the De Anza Rape Case, there have been many
requests for the victim’s reaction to that
decision.
As her attorneys in the civil lawsuit, we believe the public is
sensitive to the fact that it is our intention to protect our client’s
privacy and to maximize the opportunity for the successful prosecution
of the defendants in this matter.
We are aware that the public has been waiting for fourteen months for
answers and that the Attorney General reported that many of the men
questioned during the criminal investigation refused to talk; however,
the facts surrounding the event will be developed and made public during
the course of civil legal proceedings.
While we are disappointed with the decisions not to criminally
prosecute, we do agree with Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith’s
statement that a crime had occurred and with state officials’
characterization of what happened on March 3, 2007, as reprehensible.
The Attorney General’s decision has eliminated
an element of uncertainty as to when and how we will be proceeding and
will give the victim much greater control in moving forward with her
civil case which will bring out the truth; assure that parties are held
responsible; and put others on notice that their wrongdoing has serious
consequences.
We remain convinced that how these men acted is wrong, morally and
legally. Our client is committed to pursuing her civil remedies, in
large part to send a needed message that behavior such as these young
men displayed is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
About Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel
Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel, Inc., is a San Jose, California-based law
firm.
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