A recent case in Tulsa County has left many in shock and outrage after a judge sentenced a man to 40 years of probation for child sexual abuse, despite a jury's recommendation of 20 years in prison for each count. The case has raised questions about the justice system and the treatment of victims in such cases.
Shawn Canady, a 40 year old man from Broken Arrow, was found guilty of two counts of child sexual abuse in September. The jury recommended a sentence of 20 years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for each count, but Judge Sharon Holmes decided to sentence him to 20 years' probation instead.
A Lack of Justice for the Victims
The victims, two young girls who were abused by Canady, are outraged by the sentence and feel that justice has not been served. They claim that the experience of testifying in court and reliving the trauma of the abuse was all for nothing, as Canady was not given a harsh enough sentence.
"It's been extremely difficult just being able to look at myself most days," said one of the victims, Ariel Harrison. "Sitting there hearing her say that he wasn't going to have any jail time, any prison time completely shattered my heart. I felt completely hopeless all over again."
A Slap on the Wrist for the Abuser
The sentence has been criticized by many, including Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler. "These are the types of cases where my heart literally aches," he said. "Law enforcement spends countless hours encouraging young victims to believe in the system that their courage will be rewarded by a just disposition."
Kunzweiler expressed his frustration with the sentence, stating that it sends the wrong message to victims and perpetrators alike. "It would be easy to recommend probation for child sexual offenders because they would always take it and that is why we don’t. Of all the criminal perpetrators I have ever dealt with in my 35 year career, the rapists and molesters of children are the most dangerous for our community."
A Broken System
The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with child sexual abuse cases. Many feel that the system is broken and that victims are not being protected.
"When this jury recommended a sentence of 40 years in prison, no one envisioned that this defendant would be walking our streets as a free man," said Kunzweiler. "12 people found him guilty and he never took accountability for his repulsive conduct. I simply have no words to describe my level of frustration."
The Psychological Toll on the Victims
The victims, Ariel Harrison and Lily Johnson, are still trying to come to terms with what happened to them. They claim that the experience has left them with emotional scars that will take years to heal.
"It's hard to change, it's hard to shower, it's hard to look at myself because all I see is 14 year old Ariel and the things that he said he wanted to do to me, and the actions that he did do," said Harrison.
A Call for Change
The case has sparked a call for change in the way child sexual abuse cases are handled in Tulsa County. Many are demanding that judges take a tougher stance on perpetrators and that victims be given more support and protection.
"We need to make sure that our justice system is working for the victims, not just the perpetrators," said Kunzweiler. "We need to make sure that we are holding people accountable for their actions and that we are protecting the most vulnerable members of our society."
Conclusion
The case of Shawn Canady has left many in shock and outrage, and has raised important questions about the justice system and the treatment of victims in child sexual abuse cases. As the victims continue to try to heal and move on with their lives, many are calling for change and demanding that the justice system take a tougher stance on perpetrators.
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