The Kickham Comment - Boston Criminal Attorney Blog
File this under “Now I’ve really seen it all,” and “This world is spiraling down faster than a toilet flush.”
I am — what are the words here? – disgusted, mortified, shocked and appalled at the new “Animals” music video that was released this week by one Adam Levine, the American ‘singer’ who heads the group Maroon 5. In this disgusting display of blood-lust, violence, and criminal intent, Levine plays a butcher who stalks a woman (played by his real-life wife, who must be just as twisted as he), secretly takes pictures of her, and then ultimately sexually assaults her while blood rains down on both of them. Oh yes, and he apparently cuddles with slabs of bloody meat. I saw just seconds of the video, and I wouldn’t waste another nano-second. Part of me wants to speak out against this maggot, as a Boston criminal defense lawyer who sees far too much violence in the media; part of me hesitates even saying a word here because I know that it will only further publicize this twisted moron’s video. I’ll err on the side of speaking out against this perversity, which is one step away from a ‘snuff film.’ (If you don’t know what that is, Google it — be warned, even the definition is not for the sensitive.)
Gratefully, I have seen that many people are outraged at this porno performance, and I’m glad. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network RAINN, has spoken against this new video, calling it “dangerous” and a “stalker’s fantasy.” Katherine Hull Fliflet, the vice president of RAINN said in a statement, “[This video] is a dangerous depiction of a stalker’s fantasy – and no one should ever confuse the criminal act of stalking with romance. The trivialization of these serious crimes, like stalking, should have no place in the entertainment industry.” RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and features programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
What is this world coming to? As a Dedham Massachusetts sex offense attorney, I defend people when the facts indicate solid reasons to believe the defendant may be innocent of the crime for which he/she is charged. I do not condone or sanction any kind of sexual violence, of any kind. Neither do the laws in Massachusetts – there are tough laws here against stalking and sexual assault. District Attorneys’ offices across Massachusetts prosecute these cases aggressively. What do I mean by that? It means that if you are charged with a Massachusetts sex offense, and require a Massachusetts sex crimes attorney, you are at great risk of having your life totally ruined if your arrest results in a conviction. The punishments for Massachusetts sex crimes are harsh: Convictions can carry up to 20 years to life in state prison, along with lengthy probation, and court-ordered GPS monitoring in which an electronic device is placed on your wrist or ankle. It gets worse: The punishment can also mandate that you register as a sex offender with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB.)
The bottom line? No one should ever stalk and sexually assault another person. And no one should ever equate stalking with love. Making this video even more shocking is the fact that this Levine moron is also a judge on the hit TV show The Voice. In my opinion as a Massachusetts rape lawyer, he should be kicked off the show for this – immediately.
Please – if you care anything about preventing sexual violence – against women, men, children or anyone – do NOT You Tube or watch this video. Each additional internet hit puts more money on these people’s pockets, and further desensitizes an already desensitized public. Is there anything that shocks peoples conscience anymore? Speak out against sexual violence — don’t fuel it and numb yourself even more by viewing this kind of garbage.