Brock Turner, the former Stanford swimmer who was sentenced to six months in jail after being convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in 2015, lost his appeal in the case on Wednesday.
An appeals court in Santa Clara County upheld Turner’s conviction, issuing a 17-page ruling that concluded there was “substantial evidence” that he received a fair trial.
In 2016, Turner was convicted of assault with intent to rape, sexual penetration of an intoxicated person and sexual penetration of an unconscious person. As a result of the sentence, he must also register as a sex offender for life.
Last month, his lawyer, Eric Multhaup had argued before the 6th District Court of Appeal that there was “a lack of sufficient evidence to support three convictions” against Turner.
In arguing for overturning the convictions, Multhaup took issue over when the victim, known as Emily Doe, became unconscious. The defense also contended that because Turner was “fully clothed and engaged in forms of sexual conduct other than intercourse,” it would “negate an inference of intent to rape.”
Turner’s lawyers also argued because his pants remained on during the assault, he could only be found guilty of “sexual outercourse,” rather than intercourse, the Mercury News reported.
“We are not persuaded,” the justices wrote Wednesday in response to the attorney’s arguments.
The three-judge panel found the jury “could reasonably have inferred from the foregoing evidence that defendant intended to rape Jane 1,” and that Turner lied to an investigator on the case.
The case captured the national spotlight after the victim penned an emotionally searing letter that she read to Turner at his sentencing.
It also drew international outrage when Judge Aaron Persky, who oversaw the trial, sentenced Turner to just six months in county jail.
This June, Santa Clara County voters removed Persky from the bench in a recall. It was the first time California voters recalled a sitting judge in 86 years.
Turner ended up only serving three months in jail due to overcrowding, but will still have to register as a sex offender in California for the rest of his life.
However, he may still appeal the decision to the California Supreme Court.
KTLA’s Erika Martin contributed to this report.
