Lawyer Says Law Will Force Him to “Destroy” Child Victims of Rape

AZCONSERVATIVE ^ | 28 June 2008 | John Semmens

[John Semmens]

Massachusetts State Representative James Fagan (D-Taunton) argues that “Jessica’s Law,” which prescribes a mandatory 20-year sentence for rape of a child under 12, would force him to verbally and psychologically destroy the victims in order to free his clients.

“As a defense attorney it is my obligation to use any legal means to help my client avoid a conviction,” Fagan explained. “The harsher the punishment for conviction, the more vicious I must be to try to ensure it doesn’t happen. If a 6-year-old is going to testify against my client, I’m going to rip her apart. I’m going to make sure that the rest of her life is ruined—that when she’s 8 years old she throws up. When she’s 12 years old, she won’t sleep. When she’s 19 years old she’ll have nightmares and never have a relationship with anybody.”

Fagan rejected any personal responsibility for these detestable tactics. “It’s the prosecutors’ fault,” Fagan alleged. “I’ve warned them. They know what I’m prepared to do. It’s within their power to save these children’s lives. All they have to do is ‘play ball’ with me. If they go easy on my clients, I won’t have to go for the jugulars of these victims. It’s as simple as that.”

[mware]

That "brutal attack" will only be verbal. The kid will know it is coming. and will know that it will be over soon

Whoever said sticks and stones will never hurt me, does not know human nature very well.

[TChad]

So you believe a brutal attack that is only verbal will do no harm?

I did not say that or imply it. Of course the cross examination will be traumatic for the child. They guy who is convicted by a child's false testimony will find having his reputation ruined and spending all those years in jail to be somewhat traumatic, too.