Judge Recuses Herself After Questioning Rape Victim

A Dallas judge has removed herself from a rape case after telling a newspaper she thought the 14-year-old victim wasn't "the victim she claimed to be."

State District Judge Jeanine Howard voluntarily recused herself Friday from the case of Sir Young, a 20-year-old man who pleaded guilty to raping the girl in 2011. Howard gave Young probation.

The judge then told The Dallas Morning News, "She wasn't the victim she claimed to be." Howard also pointed to medical records that she said show the girl had three sexual partners and gave birth to a baby -- which the girl's mother denies.

Her comments sparked a furor and were followed by her recusal a day later.

A phone message left at Howard's courtroom wasn't immediately returned.

Click here to read more about this story from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.
 

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