2 who backed ex-Stanford swimmer in assault case apologize

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — With outcry growing against those who stood by a former Stanford University swimmer who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman, a childhood friend and a high school guidance counselor have apologized for writing letters of support urging leniency for Brock Turner.

The case against the one-time Olympic hopeful has gripped the country, with letters to a judge from Turner's family and friends drawing outrage from critics who say they are shifting blame from a 20-year-old man who won't take responsibility for his actions.

[...] a searing message the victim read to Turner at his sentencing has been called a courageous account of the effect the assault has had on her life.

Taking into account more than three dozen letters from character witnesses and a recommendation from the county probation department, Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky sentenced Turner to six months in jail and three years' probation for attacking the intoxicated 23-year-old woman behind a campus dumpster in January 2015.

County jail inmates serve 50 percent of their sentences if they keep a clean disciplinary record.

People angry about her letter took to social media to demand Rasmussen's indie rock band Good English be dumped from at least four shows that included some Brooklyn clubs hosting a small music festival.