When CNN broke the story of the two Steubenville boys being convicted of rape, their report focused exclusively on the fate of the rapists, not that of the victim. Poppy Harlow, CNN's reporter in the courtroom, lamented that it was "incredibly difficult" to watch "as these two young men — who had such promising futures, star football players, very good students — literally watched as they believed their life fell apart."

Seriously?

What about the life and future of the young woman who was raped while she was passed out and then photographed naked by one of the rapists, with the pictures being posted online.

The case gained international attention after the hacker collective Anonymous released information connected to the incident, alleging that local authorities were protecting the defendants because of their athletic connections. This kind of behavior by people in authority is why teen boys think they can get away with crap like this.

Despite Poppy Harlow's inappropriate sympathizing with the convicted rapists, these boys raped a girl who was defenseless and posted pictures of her online. They got off easy, because they were tried as juveniles despite being 16 and 17 years old.
 

CNN grieves that guilty verdict ruined ‘promising’ lives of Steubenville rapists

By David Edwards (RAW Story)
Sunday, March 17, 2013

CNN broke the news on Sunday of a guilty verdict in a rape case inSteubenville, Ohio by lamenting that the “promising” lives of the rapists had been ruined, but spent very little time focusing on how the 16-year-old victim would have to live with what was done to her.

Judge Thomas Lipps announced on Sunday that Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’lik Richmond, 16, would be given a maximum sentence after being found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl while she was unconscious. Richmond could be released from a juvenile rehabilitation facility by the age of 21 and Mays could be incarcerated until the age of 24.

CNN’s Candy Crowley began her breaking news report by showing Lipps handing down the sentence and telling CNN reporter Poppy Harlow that she “cannot imagine” how emotional the sentencing must have been.

Harlow explained that it had been “incredibly difficult” to watch “as these two young men — who had such promising futures, star football players, very good students — literally watched as they believed their life fell apart.”

“One of the young men, Ma’lik Richmond, as that sentence came down, he collapsed,” the CNN reporter recalled, adding that the convicted rapist told his attorney that “my life is over, no one is going to want me now.”

At that point, CNN played video of Richmond crying and hugging his lawyer in the courtroom.

“I was sitting about three feet from Ma’lik when he gave that statement,” Harlow said. “It was very difficult to watch.”

Candy then asked CNN legal contributor Paul Callan what the verdict meant for “a 16 year old, sobbing in court, regardless of what big football players they are, they still sound like 16 year olds.”

“What’s the lasting effect though on two young men being found guilty juvenile court of rape essentially?” Crowley wondered.

“There’s always that moment of just — lives are destroyed,” Callan remarked. “But in terms of what happens now, the most severe thing with these young men is being labeled as registered sex offenders. That label is now placed on them by Ohio law.”

“That will haunt them for the rest of their lives.”

Watch this video from CNN, broadcast March 17, 2013.