I first learned of the Justin Schneider assault case while watching Phil Defranco on Youtube with a couple of friends last week. The incident originally transpired on August 8th of 2017, but gained recent media attention when the trial came to a verdict on September 19th, 2018. Phil DeFranco prefaced his recount of the case by warning that it would likely anger those watching. Here, I relay a similar warning to the readers of this article. I hope that any anger you might experience motivates you to stand with survivors of sexual assault and opens your eyes to the sort of injustice that is perpetuated by outdated legislature.
(Possible Trigger Warning)
In Anchorage,Alaska a man by the name of Justin Schneider offered a ride to a Native American woman. The woman accepted the ride, and entered his vehicle assuming that he would take her to her intended destination. Instead, Justin Schneider took the woman to a dead end road. Once outside the car, Schneider tackled her, threatened her life, and proceeded to choke her until she was rendered unconscious. After the woman had passed out, Schneider masturbated over her and ejaculated onto her person. When she awoke, he informed her that he was not actually planning to kill her as previously mentioned, but needed her to believe such for his personal sexual fulfillment. He then went on to work as if it was just another regular day. The woman walked to a hospital and reported the assault to the authorities. The trial for the case began on November 6th, 2017, and Schneider was placed on monitored house arrest until its completion. Although an Anchorage Grand Jury indicted Schneider on four felony charges, i.e kidnapping and assault, as well as a misdemeanor count of harassment for offensive contact with bodily fluids, Schneider escaped serious penalty.
Originally faced with 5 – 99 years in prison, Schneider pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault. Superior Judge Michael Corey then granted him a sentence of only two years with a year suspended. The kidnapping charge was dropped on the technicality that the woman had entered the vehicle willing; the year Schneider spent on house arrest preceding the trial was counted as part of the sentencing. Schneider won’t even be registered as a sex offender because Alaskan legislature doesn’t include semen in its definition of sexual contact. Only direct physical contact with genitals, buttocks, female breasts or the anus is covered. Schneider currently is expected to wear an ankle monitor and attend a sex offender treatment program despite not actually receiving the charge for a sexual offense.
The logic behind this verdict, as provided by Anchorage Assistant District Attorney Andrew Grannikwas: Justin Schneider had already suffered a “life sentence” in the loss of his federal government job, he had no prior criminal history, and the likelihood of him reoffending was low, as indicated by his progress in a treatment program. Grannick even stated in his testimony, “I would like the gentleman to be on notice that that is his onepass — it’s not really a pass — but given the conduct, one might consider that it is.”On top of everything, the victim was not present for or represented during the hearing.
Upon hearing this news, I was disgusted by the blatant disregard of the female victim’s traumatic experience. Think of the message that this verdict sends to her. She immediately told her story, and still nothing really happened. People criticize women for not coming forward the moment an assault happens, but this event shows that that critique only acts an excuse to redirect blame onto the victim. The passage of time shouldn’t invalidate a person’s trauma. It takes time to process damaging events. Think about how long people grieve over the loss of a loved one. Think about how long people are afflicted with PTSD following car accidents or time served in the military. Why do people underestimate and undermine the effects of sexual assault?
Might I add–
Justin Schneider is a cisgendered white man, and I personally believe that privilege granted him the opportunity for this ‘pass’. I can imagine what the outcome would have been had he been of a different race. I STRONGLY believe that there would have been a significantly greater push for the imprisonment of a person of color.
If this story bothered you as much as I did, please take action. Support this woman by signing this petition, and raise your voice against the silencing of sexual assault victims. Stay informed, and always educate others.