Superior Court Judge Derek Johnson made vulgar comments during the case of a now convicted rapist in 2008. Metin Gurel was convicted to six years in jail for rape, forcible oral copulation, domestic battery, stalking, and making threats against his former girlfriend. The suspect was also suspected of threatening to mutilate the face and genitals of his ex-girlfriend with a heated screwdriver and beat her with a metal baton.
During the court proceedings in 2008, Johnson said that the rape victim "didn't put up a fight" and also made an equally strange comment regarding the rape victim's participation.
"I'm not a gynecologist, but I can tell you something: If someone doesn't want to have sexual intercourse, the body shuts down," Johnson said. "The body will not permit that to happen unless a lot of damage is inflicted, and we heard nothing about that in this case."
The California Commission on Judicial Performance voted Thursday to impose a public admonishment, citing Judge Johnson's comments were a breach of judicial ethics.
The commission continued to say that Johnson's insensitive views were his opinion, not the law.
In an apology following the commission's admonishment, Johnson said his comments were inappropriate and the result of frustration during an argument with the prosecutor.
Despite his controversial beliefs, Johnson remains on the bench.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
