Man who repeatedly raped his 12-year-old daughter sentenced to 60 days in prison
Petition to impeach Judge McKeon garners more than 40,000 signatures
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A petition has been launched condemning a judge's decision to sentence a father who repeatedly raped his 12-year-old daughter to two months in prison.
The 40-year-old man from Montana, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to 60 days and probation after he pleaded guilty to raping his daughter multiple times.
Judge John McKeon is reported to have made the decision despite the prosecutor recommending a 100-year prison sentence with 75 years suspended, in keeping with state law.
Following the verdict, a petition was launched to "impeach Judge McKeon", stating that he "did what he thought was best for the rapist instead of the victim".
The petition, which asks that the Judicial Standards Commission review the case and states that the judge should not "retire and collect a paycheck from taxpayers" because he "failed to fulfill his duty", has so far collected more than 40,000 signatures.
It states: "Judge McKeon did not uphold the responsibility of ensuring justice as he is required to in his elected position. The judge provided a number of reasons his horrible decision. None of them justify the sentence that was handed down.
"He is just one of many judges who have been caught handing down light sentences to rapists. This must stop and we can only do that by sending a message. It is time to start punishing the judges who let these monsters walk our streets."
Mr McKeon has reportedly defended his verdict, stating that a psychosexual evaluation found the man could be safely treated and supervised in the community.
In a written response to the public outcry following the sentencing, Mr McKeon wrote that he would "encourage and provide opportunities for an offender's self-improvement, rehabilitation and reintegration back into a community," according to TIME.
It comes several months after a US judge faced the wrath of the public when he sentenced Stanford swimmer Brock Turner to six months in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments