I was angry when I read this( this is from Louisiana)......I don't think Castration is going to stop a rapist and this is sad that the victims agreed to this, even though I understand why.
08:42 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Associated Press
COVINGTON -- A man who pleaded guilty to raping two girls has agreed to surgical castration to avoid a life prison sentence.
Yesterday, Keith Raymond Fremin, of Covington, entered the plea to two counts of forcible rape and two counts of molestation involving two sisters, who were eleven and 13 at the time of the attacks in 1999. Fremin was originally indicted on four counts of aggravated rape. Since one of the victims was under 13, the death penalty was possible, but prosecutors were seeking a life prison sentence.
Castration is part of Fremin's plea bargain, which includes a 25-year prison sentence without parole. State District Judge Donald Fendlason says he will revoke the sentence if Fremin does not undergo the procedure by August 18.
The now 17- and 19-year-old victims, who have since moved to the Netherlands, were in court yesterday and agreed to the guilty plea.
Authorities say Fremin was on probation for molesting another girl between January and March 2003 when he was booked with the 1999 rapes.
Doctor Fred Berlin is founder of the Johns Hopkins Sexual Disorders Clinic. He says he's aware of four or five similar cases nationwide. And, while Fremin's request reveals an offender's desire to change, he says neither surgical nor chemical castrations provide instant cures.
Judy Benitez, head of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, says victims should not think that surgical castration will cure an attacker, because rape is more about a desire for dominance than sex. She says the only way to ensure that an offender does not attack again is to remove their access to potential victims.
08:42 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Associated Press
COVINGTON -- A man who pleaded guilty to raping two girls has agreed to surgical castration to avoid a life prison sentence.
Yesterday, Keith Raymond Fremin, of Covington, entered the plea to two counts of forcible rape and two counts of molestation involving two sisters, who were eleven and 13 at the time of the attacks in 1999. Fremin was originally indicted on four counts of aggravated rape. Since one of the victims was under 13, the death penalty was possible, but prosecutors were seeking a life prison sentence.
Castration is part of Fremin's plea bargain, which includes a 25-year prison sentence without parole. State District Judge Donald Fendlason says he will revoke the sentence if Fremin does not undergo the procedure by August 18.
The now 17- and 19-year-old victims, who have since moved to the Netherlands, were in court yesterday and agreed to the guilty plea.
Authorities say Fremin was on probation for molesting another girl between January and March 2003 when he was booked with the 1999 rapes.
Doctor Fred Berlin is founder of the Johns Hopkins Sexual Disorders Clinic. He says he's aware of four or five similar cases nationwide. And, while Fremin's request reveals an offender's desire to change, he says neither surgical nor chemical castrations provide instant cures.
Judy Benitez, head of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, says victims should not think that surgical castration will cure an attacker, because rape is more about a desire for dominance than sex. She says the only way to ensure that an offender does not attack again is to remove their access to potential victims.
