Lawyer in Rape Case Under Fire For Saying Women Are Good at Lying 'Because They're the Weaker Sex'

An attorney is drawing heat for saying women are good at lying because "they're the weaker sex."

An attorney in a Memphis court case is drawing criticism for a poor choice of words. Steve Farese, a lawyer defending a wealthy man in a Tennessee rape case, said women are good at lying. The man was found not guilty.

Farese said women are the “weaker sex” during his closing argument.

“People can be very good at lying," Farese said Thursday, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "Women can be especially good at it because they’re the weaker sex and we…and we want to protect them and not have anybody take advantage of them, at least I do.”

Referencing the “weaker sex” comment, he elaborated, “That’s what the book says”—a reference to the Bible. 

Farese’s comments did not stay in the courtroom. The executive director of the Memphis Area Women’s Council quickly reprimanded the attorney.

“It’s despicable,” said Deborah Club. “It’s absolutely despicable. I’m stunned. I really am.”

The attorney spoke with the Commercial Appeal, but did not apologize for his choice of words.

“My job is not to care if anybody gets offended,” Farese said. “Smart people will see it for what it is.”

Farese is on the legal team defending Mark Giannini, a Memphis-area businessman accused of raping a woman who came to his mansion for a job interview. Giannini is indicted in two other rape cases that are pending.

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