Colorado Sex Scandal Exposes Double Standard and Cultural Bias

This week a Colorado sex scandal that received national attention highlights a double standard in the Rocky Mountain Empire that allows celebrities to walk free while others serve life sentences.

A jury in Douglas County Friday found former Denver Bronco cornerback Perrish Cox innocent of two felony sexual assault charges after deliberating less than six hours.

The case against Cox alleges he picked up an intoxicated woman at a nightclub, waited for her to pass out at his apartment, then had un-consensual sex with her.

Witnesses at Cox's apartment testified the woman passed out and Cox carried her into his bedroom saying she was just about ready - the implication was that Cox was saying the victim was just about ready for sex. Cox later lied to the victim and the police saying that he did not have sex with the woman, but when the woman discovered she was pregnant; DNA tests proved Cox was the father.

According to Craig Silverman, the victim's attorney, the verdict seemed to turn on text messages from Cox to his roommate that said the victim and another woman at the apartment had engaged in, ''girl on girl action," earlier in the evening. Silverman said, unfortunately, outrageous statements about her conduct and character were made that could have easily been disproved.''

Colorado prisons are full of men convicted of similar crimes nerving life sentences. In fact, "date rape" cases are one of the most commonly prosecuted, and convicted, category of sex crimes. Many of these convictions don't even have the benefit of DNA results to substantiate the crime, but convict solely on the word of the victim.

In the case of Cox the only facts that seem different from those of the men in prison are: 1) he was a celebrity on a popular professional football team, and 2) the victim apparently liked to kiss other women. In Colorado this combination equals an acquittal. (See Kobe Bryant and Charlie Sheen, both sex offenders) It is likely that in a state so enamored and reliant on a celebrity friendly environment for its economy that celebrity status alone was probably enough for acquittal. The perceived outrageous conduct of the victim, kissing another woman while drunk, only served to ease the puritanical conscious of the jury . . . '' she must have deserved it.” As has been shown time and time again, the state that is quick to dismiss celebrity misconduct is still fast to judge perceived moral misconduct by less famous members of society.

It is unfortunate that this woman has been victimized twice: once by Cox and a second time by Colorado’s double standard. After hearing the verdict the victim cried out, "Why did this happen to me?" That's a good question.

Related News

Cadet faces court-martial for alleged date rape

The Air Force academy recommends court-martial this week for Cadet Stephen H. Claxton charged with under aged drinking and attempted sexual contact. If convicted the college student faces prison time, fines, and extended registration as a sex offender.