The rapist of a 13-year-old girl gets just probation after a plea deal

Benjamin Lawrence Petty, 36 years old from Spencer Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to brutally raping and sodomizing a 13 year old girl. Despite his horrendous and grotesque crime, he will only serve 15 years of probation.

The crime took place at Falls Creek church camp in southern Oklahoma during the summer of 2016. Petty was working as a cook at the Falls Creek church camp.  According to the victim’s testimony, Petty had been seeking the victim’s attention for several days leading up to the crime. Petty told the victim he wanted to show her how to perform tricks using a certain device in his lodging. He then pulled her into his room, bound her hands, and brutally raped and sodomized her. Then, he threatened to harm her if she told.

Petty was facing 3 consecutive 15-year prison sentences, 45 years in prison.  Due to a plea agreement between Petty’s attorney and Murray County Assistant District Attorney, David Pyle, Petty will only serve 15 years of probation. District Judge Wallace Coppedge, approved the plea agreement. Among public outrage Murray County Assistant District Attorney, David Pyle, resigned and we are calling for the Judge to do the same.

Representative Mike Ritze initiated a resolution pushing for the removal of Judge Coppedge for gross neglect. Ritze says, "I just felt it was the right thing to do…the guy's letting the rapist go." The initial viewing of the resolution was presented in The House this past Tuesday, but no decision has been announced. However, on Saturday, Ritze notified House Speaker Charles McCall he would not be moving forward with it at this time. He told The Oklahoman he is putting the resolution on hold so the House can focus on the budget crisis and for other reasons. "We've got bigger fish to fry," the Broken Arrow Republican said.

It is imperative that lawmakers hold our judicial system accountable when our justice system fails. We must create a judicial system that is safe and supportive of victims. We must create a judicial system that advocates not just for current victims, but potential future victims as well.

While the Victim’s family has filed a civil suit for damages and failure to protect the victim, NOTHING can truly compensate for what this 13 year old lost that day. Her life has been forever changed.
 

Written by: Hannah Redden