Thursday, February 10, 2005
I like so many things about this story: Top Female Athlete Turns Out to Be Male. Of course the basic story is interesting, but I also love the "crimen injuria" charge-- it's not in my copy of Black's, but it appears that a charge of "Criminal Insult" requires the prosecution to establish that the conduct complained of amounted to an impairment of the complainants dignity and, if so, that the conduct was of such a serious nature that it merits punishment in the interest of society. What an interesting criminal charge!
I also love that when he was confronted, "the accused, like the athlete he is, took to his heels." And I love that: "In his defence, Sithole told the court that he was born with both female and male organs. The athlete added that his parents then consulted a Chipinge traditional healer who gave them some herbs following which he assumed female status.
"However, Sithole further alleges that they only paid half the money charged for the services rendered by the healer. As a punishment by the traditional healer for them to pay up the outstanding bill, the male organ only developed recently, he said.
"He told the court that he was scheduled to settle the bill with the traditional on his trial day and this would have resulted in him reverting to the female gender."
Finally, I think it is wonderful that this person "bought several beasts with his earnings from athletics."
Seems to me she should take up golf.
I also love that when he was confronted, "the accused, like the athlete he is, took to his heels." And I love that: "In his defence, Sithole told the court that he was born with both female and male organs. The athlete added that his parents then consulted a Chipinge traditional healer who gave them some herbs following which he assumed female status.
"However, Sithole further alleges that they only paid half the money charged for the services rendered by the healer. As a punishment by the traditional healer for them to pay up the outstanding bill, the male organ only developed recently, he said.
"He told the court that he was scheduled to settle the bill with the traditional on his trial day and this would have resulted in him reverting to the female gender."
Finally, I think it is wonderful that this person "bought several beasts with his earnings from athletics."
Seems to me she should take up golf.
