Ex-Mayor of San Diego Bob Filner Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges in Sexual Harassment Scandal

Bob Filner has now pleaded guilty to criminal false imprisonment and battery charges in connection with his extensive and egregious (and now apparently admitted) sexual harassment of numerous City of San Diego employees. At least he is "manning up," as they say in sexist terms.

It is unfortunate for Democrats that this happened with the first Democratic mayor in San Diego in twenty years--and within nine months of him taking office. Unfortunately, when an office is this political, and there had been a lot of bipartisan animosity brewing in this office in recent years, this kind of thing, in some ways, gives all Democrats a bad rap. Some democrats have written this off as a shameless political smear campaign, but it's clear by this point that the charges are substantiated. Maybe another democrat will step up who is NOT so pervy!

Lessons from Ex-San Diego Mayor Filner's Sex Harassment Scandal - L.A. Times

New Trial for Battered Woman in Florida Who Was Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Firing a Warning Shot

An appellate court in Florida has reversed the conviction of Marissa Alexander, An African-American woman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot into the air while being abused by her husband. Apparently there was a major altercation in the home about a week after the couple's child was born, during which Marissa had to lock herself in the bathroom to get away from her husband, who was threatening to kill her that day. He "broke through the door, grabbed her by the neck, and" threw her into the door. She ran into the garage to escape, but she could not get the garage door open. So she grabbed the gun and ran back in. As he threatened to kill her, she fired a warning shot into the air. No one was hurt by the shot.

Meanwhile, convicted rapists are getting 30-day sentences . . . . 15 months at best . . . . .

Marissa pleaded the Stand Your Ground defense, but the defense failed. Instead, the jury convicted her of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and she was sentenced to 20 years because it is the mandatory minimum sentence for gun crimes. Now the appeals court has remanded the case for a new trial because the jury instructions on self defense were erroneous.

Interestingly, the prosecutor who prosecuted Marissa Alexander was the same prosecutor who prosecuted George Zimmerman. Only Zimmerman was acquitted for his role in the altercation which resulted in the actual death of Trayvon Martin.

Marissa Alexander Will Get a New Trial - MSNBC

Florida Woman Given 20 Years For Firing Warning Shot Gets New Trial - nbcnews.com

California Finally Overturns 1872 Law Which Allowed for Rape While Impersonating the Victim's Significant Other

Good news out of California: It is now illegal to rape someone even if you are impersonating their boyfriend. I think I know what you're thinking. "What? Wasn't this already against the law?" Nope, not in California. Apparently there was still some 19th Century loophole lingering on the books that said it was illegal to rape someone if you are impersonating their husband during the rape, but if you are just impersonating their boyfriend, then it is okay. This actually led to the acquittal of a rapist who even admitted to raping the woman, but because he was impersonating her boyfriend, and because she was not married to the person the rapist was impersonating, he was innocent! Huh?? Well, in any case, it's all against the law now. Live and learn, California! Let's hope that guy does not do it again--or wait, let's hope he does, because this time he will actually be guilty. :)

California Finally Overturns Its 1872 Law Denying Justice For Unmarried Rape Victims - Think Progress