Woman Admits She Falsely Accused HS Football Star of Rape – He Receives Five Years In Prison, She Receives $1.5 Million of Taxpayers’ Money.
Wanetta Gibson falsely accused Brian Banks of rape! She should be in jail and be made to pay restitution.
By Al Rava, NCFM SecretaryLast Thursday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark C. Kim overturned the decade-old forcible rape conviction against Brian Banks after his accuser Wanetta Gibson admitted she falsely accused Banks of the crime. At the time of the false accusation, Banks was a 17-year-old football star at Long Beach Poly High School, who had verbally committed to playing for USC, and Gibson was a 15-year-old classmate. Gibson said Banks raped her on school grounds, Banks said the sex was consensual.
Banks, represented by a public defender, agreed to a plea deal serving five years behind bars instead of risking a prison term of 41 years to life. Only 17 at the time of the plea deal with little or no knowledge about the criminal justice system, Banks was not allowed to speak with his parents when offered the plea deal.
Recently, Wanetta Gibson reached out to Banks on Facebook, arranged a meeting where she admitted that she fabricated the rape accusation. Banks was accompanied at the meeting by a private investigator who recorded Gibson’s admission.
Shortly after Banks’ plea deal, Gibson’s mother, on behalf of her minor daughter, sued the Long Beach Unified School District for maintaining an unsafe environment. The lawsuit resulted in Gibson receiving a $1.5-million settlement.
Unfortunately, Los Angeles County prosecutors do not plan to charge Gibson, now 24, for perjuring herself by making false accusations, because prosecutors claim it would be hard to prove their case. Perhaps because the private investigator’s recording would not be admissible in a criminal or civil case against Gibson.
The Long Beach Police Department has not opened an “official investigation” into Gibson’s false accusation, although it is communicating with prosecutors about Gibson’s actions.
During a recent interview with a San Diego radio station, Banks talked of visiting Sea World yesterday with his attorney’s family and how great it felt to be able to wear shorts in public. He was able to wear shorts because his rape conviction had required him to register as a sex offender and wear an ankle monitor
Gibson admitted to falsely accusing Banks. Regardless of whether the incriminating tape recording is admissible in a criminal or civil action, she should be charged with appropriate crimes. Charging her with perjury, filing a false police report, and whatever else applies at least establishes a criminal record.
Banks deserves some justice. Gibson deserves to be held accountable. Society deserves protection from such women. It is inconceivable that no effort will be made to recover Gibson’s ill-gotten gains. Whoever in the District Attorney’s Office decided not to prosecute Gibson should be fired.
.
To learn more about Brian Banks, visit www.brianbanks.org , where you can contribute to a documentary about Brian’s struggle and exoneration.
No comments:
Post a Comment