issued a lengthy statement<\/a> explaining that Schneider’s sentence was “consistent with, and reasonable, under current sentencing laws in Alaska.”<\/p>\nThe statement added that the prosecutor’s words were “unfortunate and misunderstood. The prosecutor was attempting to explain that while the agreed-upon sentence seemed lenient, it was consistent with current Alaska law and based on a thorough review of the facts of (the) case.”<\/p>\n
Six hours after the Department of Law issued its statement, Walker provided one of his own.<\/p>\n
“Every victim deserves justice. This sort of outcome makes it even more difficult for victims to come forward. The punishment in this case in no way matched the severity of the crime,” he said in prepared remarks. “We must fix this problem immediately, and we will.”<\/p>\n
“Any reasonable person would think the disturbing and offensive actions of Mr. Schneider qualify as a sex offense,” Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth said in prepared remarks released with Walker’s words. “The law needs to be fixed.”<\/p>\n
Walker had already been scheduled to present a public update on the progress of his crime-fighting plan, and that update will now include a proposal for new legislation that “makes causing unwanted contact with semen a sex offense.”<\/p>\n
According to the governor’s statement, the penalty for that offense would be jail time of 2-12 years and mandatory registration as a sex offender.<\/p>\n
Walker’s three opponents in the November general election also offered their thoughts on the case following the governor’s announcement.<\/p>\n
In a prepared statement texted to the Empire, Republican Mike Dunleavy said, “This injustice is an outrage, particularly in Alaska where women suffer from horrific rates of violence. I’ll support legislation to close this loophole, whether it’s this bill or another. The women of Alaska deserve better.”<\/p>\n
Democratic candidate Mark Begich posted a video on his Facebook page, saying, “I’m as upset and outraged as you are about what happened in that case.”<\/p>\n
He went on to criticize Dunleavy and Walker for their crime-fighting plans, adding, “but what’s more outrageous is what these two have done. When you look at Sen. Dunleavy, he quit after he cut the prosecutors and the court system … and what has the governor done? He’s had four years.”<\/p>\n
In an email, Libertarian Billy Toien wrote that the events were “an absolute disgrace. Of course, Judge Corey needs to be off the bench immediately.”<\/p>\n
Toien also said by phone that he has significant problems with plea bargaining because prosecutors can overload criminal suspects with charges in an attempt to intimidate Alaskans unfamiliar with the criminal justice system. Under intimidation, innocent people might plead guilty to avoid the consequences of a failed defense.<\/p>\n
Toien said that isn’t what happened here.<\/p>\n
“When one is guilty of truly heinous acts, it is the duty of justice to be swift and severe. In this case, it was neither.”<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.<\/b><\/p>\n
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