Earlier today, Jill wrote about the Northern Kentucky University professor and students that have been charged with misdemeanors related to the April 12 destruction of an pro-life display on campus. The Cincinnati Enquirer (HT: Michelle Malkin) reports more details.
In particular, Sally Jacobsen, formerly of the literature and language department (her name has already been removed from NKU�s website), has been charged with
... criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and criminal solicitation. The third charge relates to evidence that she encouraged students to participate in the destruction, County Attorney Justin Verst saidAlthough Jacobsen has expressed regret (or not), her attorney continues to justify her actions:
She had no idea there would be so much fallout, and she is sorry for the hurt she caused, Grubbs said."She never wanted to harm her university or her students at all," Grubbs said. "Twenty-seven years of her life have been at this university."
Jacobsen will plead not guilty, Grubbs said. Grubbs said the dismantling of the display doesn't amount to a criminal act.
"The intent was just an expression of freedom of speech," Grubbs said. "She saw harm coming from it, and she was just expressing her attitude towards the harm."
I see. She didn�t mean to do anything wrong and had the best of intentions when she destroyed a legitimate and previously registered pro-life display on her campus. She did not intend to harm anyone when she led students and dismantled, destroyed and disposed of a pro-life group�s white crosses. Right? This self-justification rhetoric is so poorly done it is embarrassing to read.
Whether or not Jacobsen was able to convince herself that her illegal and unethical actions were right does not change what she did. The very fact that she refused to comment about her participation immediately after being confronted reveals that she knew her conduct was wrong.
In contrast to Jacobsen, members of Northern Kentucky Right to Life are thinking quite clearly:
NKU sophomore Katie Walker, president of the Right to Life group responsible for the display, said one of the students called her to apologize a day after the vandalism. She could not recall the student's name.Repercussions are certainly imminent. Perhaps they would not have been as significant if Jacobsen had not expressed indignation when she was called to account."She was very upset about the whole thing. She said she kind of felt intimidated into those actions, and she felt horrible about it."
Walker said she appreciated the call but still felt that all those involved should face some consequences. The faculty member's actions were especially grievous, she said.
"It wasn't just theft. It wasn't just vandalism. It was the violation of a right we hold sacred," Walker said, referring to free speech. "That kind of behavior needs to have repercussions."
Previously:
Pro-Life Display Vandalized at Northern Kentucky University
Kentucky Professor Apologizes for Vandalism (updated)
You can find a slideshow here.
Note that NKU Provost Gail Wells has confirmed that she suggested Jacobsen take the last two weeks of the semester off as paid leave.
So, it seems the university's punishment for this conduct is paid vacation during the busiest part of the semester? Hmmm.
What was that bible verse dealing with "where is thy sting?"
Ralph Arnsparger
Edgewood KY