Rep. Mike Ritze wants the judge, who accepted a plea agreement which let an admitted rapist only receive probation, off the bench. Ritze has filed House Resolution 1025 to ask the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary to begin the removal process for District Judge Wallace Coppedge.
Many Oklahomans were outraged when they learned Benjamin Petty admitted to raping a 13-year old girl at Falls Creek and only received 15 years of probation under the plea deal.
“Let me be clear, this resolution is not enough,” said Ritze. “Allowing this offender to effectively walk out of the justice system without any real consequences to raping a 13-year-old girl is unconscionable. It’s unthinkable that a judge could look at this case and allow this plea to be accepted. Due to his decision, Judge Coppedge has lost the trust of the public he serves, and I am calling for Judge Coppedge to step down immediately. If he refuses, I am calling on the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary to begin to remove this judge from office as soon as possible.”
The resolution is non-binding, so even if it is approved, it would not compel the Court on the Judiciary to begin the removal process.
