Verdict Questioned in Florida Rape Trial

It is shocking and unnerving that in the decade in which President Bush has urged the nation to be “kinder and gentler” acts of violence against women, such as those perpetrated by Carl Allison and his cronies, can be dismissed because the woman in question was smoking or wearing “stretch pants and a black top.” It is hard to believe that the jury could acquit these men of rape when it simultaneously convicted them of dosing the victim with several hits of acid.

It is sad that young men from a background of privilege can feel so entitled and so unconnected with others; that they can feel such a lack of remorse as to say they “didn’t think it was wrong,” that “no one was hurting anyone.”

SUZANNE RUDMAN

West Hollywood