After long deliberations the jury returned today acquitting Bob Schollum, Brad Shipton and Clint Rickards of all charges. Clint Rickards is now trying to return to his job as Deputy Comissioner of the New Zealand police. Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton are returning to their jail cells, as both were found guilty of a historic rape case in 2005 (a fact that no other jury has been allowed to know about).<\/p>\n
A friend of mine wrote a song about this:<\/p>\n
JUST ONE MORE THURSDAY IN BLACK<\/p>\n
Well the jury retired with a word from the judge
\nNot to go and do anything rash
\nAnd the lawyers withdrew, replenished anew
\nWith undisclosed payments of cash
\nIt was on a Wednesday that the jury retired
\nAnd on Thursday came dutifly back
\nThere was nothing so special they had to report
\nIt was just one more Thursday in black<\/p>\nThere was no expense spared to make sure it was fair
\nThere was even a guest star Allblack ((Member of the New Zealand Rugby Team – pinnacle of New Zealand’s sporting achievement. Clint Rickards was able to call a friend of his who was an All Black to testify. I always imagined that his testimony would start ‘as an All Black, I know something about rape’))
\nBut at closing the law showed who it works for
\nIt was one more Thursday in black<\/p>\nWell if you\u00b9re a pig and sufficiently big
\nAnd there\u00b9s several of you in a pack
\nYou can do pretty much what you like to a woman
\nAnd know that she can\u00b9t hit you back
\nRight now somewhere unknown ,there\u00b9s a woman alone
\nIn pain and in fear on the rack
\nwhile grinning police ready bottle and grease
\nfor one more Thursday in black<\/p>\nThere was no expense spared to make sure it was fair
\nThere was even a guest star Allblack
\nBut at closing the law showed who it works for
\nIt was just one more Thursday in black<\/p>\nDon Franks<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
There are two things that I choose to hold on to, from the series of cop rape trials. The first is that this it not OK. The legal system does not deliver justice for women, but more than that – this should never have happened in the first place. Many people knew that these cops were abusive, and no-one did anything about it, and these are not the only police who have used their power to rape and abuse. We must hold onto our outrage, because it is out of that outrage that the hope for a something better can be built.<\/p>\n
What gives me real hope is the knowledge that I’m not alone. That all over New Zealand, in places I wouldn’t necessarily expect, people are thinking what I’m thinking, and feeling what I’m feeling. If we can get just some of these people together, who knows what we could do.<\/p>\n
I’m sure I’ll have more tomorrow, but all that’s left to say tonight is to pay heed to the dignity of the women who sought justice against Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum. And leave the last words to Louise Nicholas: “We did our best. We did our very best. The justice system has let us down again.”<\/p>\n
Note for Comments<\/b> This post is for feminist and feminist-friendly comments only. If you want to doubt the word of any of the complainants take it somewhere else. I’m not hosting that today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After long deliberations the jury returned today acquitting Bob Schollum, Brad Shipton and Clint Rickards of all charges. Clint Rickards is now trying to return to his job as Deputy Comissioner of the New Zealand police. Bob Schollum and Brad … Continue reading