JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Blunt’s much-heralded decision to sign into law a bill protecting women against sexual and domestic assault stands in stark contrast to Jay Nixon’s decision to employ a deputy who once blamed a female rape victim for being attacked and then ignored a jury by ruling against jail time for the convicted rapist.

Nixon, who claims to be the state’s chief law enforcement officer, employs Jeff Schaeperkoetter, an assistant attorney general who as Franklin County Circuit Court Judge ignored a jury’s advice for jail time and instead sentenced Matthew Wasniak to probation for drugging and then sexually assaulting a woman in 2000.

With a stunning disregard for the victim, Shaeperkoetter put some of the responsibility for the attack on her, which was reflected in a story that appeared in The Riverfront Times on January 24, 2001. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2001-01-24/news/getting-off-easy/full. And as The Riverfront Times pointed out: “ Rumors aside, the most likely explanation of the sentence is that Schaeperkoetter, known for his pro-life, family-values morality and independent, even contrarian decisions, found the case muddled enough to leave room for that old possibility ‘she was asking for it.’"

“While most Missourians are praising this groundbreaking legislation that will protect women from sexual and domestic assault, Jay Nixon continues to employ an assistant attorney general who once blamed a rape victim for being attacked and then ignored a jury by letting the convicted rapist walk free,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “It is quite unfortunate that Jay Nixon, who claims to be Missouri’s chief law enforcement officer, would continue to employ an individual whose actions are contrary to the protections offered to women under this new law.”