Keith Vallejo, 43, appeared in court for sentencing on Wednesday before 4th District Court Judge Thomas Low in Provo, Utah. After a three-day trial in February, a jury found Vallejo guilty of 10 counts of forcible sexual abuse and one count of object rape. He was found to have molested two female relatives while they were staying in the bishop’s home.
Vallejo had maintained his innocence and even after he was found guilty, he never acknowledged his crimes. He said the system was set up to get him to admit guilt but he was not going to.
Judge Low sentenced Vallejo to a prison sentence of one year to life for the sexual abuse charges and five years to life for rape. While sentencing the former LDS bishop, Low said, “There is no doubt that Mr. Vallejo is an extraordinarily good man, and the letters written on his behalf were extraordinarily moving.”
If that wasn’t enough, Low added, “Great men sometimes do bad things.” People present in the courtroom said Low seemed to be fighting back tears and took several pauses in getting his words out when he was talking about how great the 43-year-old was.
One of those present during sentencing was Julia Kirby. Kirby was one of Vallejo’s victims and gave the media permission to use her name. Kirby said instead of praising Vallejo, the judge should have confronted him about not taking responsibility for his actions. Low didn’t do that. Kirby thinks Low never heard her but the jury did.
The judge’s comments also angered victim’s groups. Turner Bitton, executive director of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said comments like Low’s belittle victims and is part of the rape culture. Bitton also said comments such as this make it more difficult for victims to come forward.
Kristen Houser, with the National Sexual Violence Research Center, agreed. She said it adds to the myth that people who appear to be upstanding citizens cannot be sexual predators.
Not the only criticism of Low during the trial
Low was also criticized for releasing Vallejo on bail after the jury found him guilty. Under Utah law, convicted felons must be kept in custody unless there are exceptional circumstances. Despite objections from the prosecutor, Low ordered Vallejo released pending sentencing. At the time, Kirby, who now lives in another state, said she is afraid to visit her family in Utah and is worried about Vallejo’s family that includes several young girls.
Despite requests from the media, Judge Low has refused comment.
