Judge Criticized For Calling Sex Offender A “Good Man”

Judge Thomas Low became emotional during the sentencing hearing for Keith Robert Vallejo, a former Mormon bishop who faces up to life in prison for sexual assault. “The court has no doubt that Mr. Vallejo is an extraordinary, good man,” Low said. “But great men sometimes do bad things.” Vallejo was then sentenced to five years to life for rape, and to consecutive sentences of one to five years in prison for 10 counts of forcible sexual abuse. One of the women who testified that Vallejo abused her was shocked by Low’s words, and plans to file a complaint against him. Mark Lawrence, director of Restore Our Humanity, said he plans to file a complaint as well, and hopes that Low will be sanctioned and attend training to better understand sexual assault victims.