Lawyer in Rape Case: Women Are Weaker Sex, Good Liars

Shock and outrage after—in the closing arguments of rich Tennesee man's rape trial—a defense attorney claimed women are especially adept liars. "Women can be especially good at it because they're the weaker sex," the Commercial Appeal quotes Steve Farese as saying Thursday. He apparently defended the "weaker sex" part of the comment by saying, "That's what the books says," adding that women take advantage of men's desire "to protect them." Farese is defending Mark Giannini. WMC reports the 51-year-old is accused of raping a woman who came to his mansion for what she believed was a job interview for a housekeeping position. She says Giannini raped and choked her, and she woke up in the hospital.

Deborah Clubb, the executive director of the Memphis Area Women's Council, calls Farese's comments "absolutely despicable." She also says they don't appear to be great strategy, as they were made to a jury that includes 11 women. For his part, Farese says he doesn't care if he offends people. He also blamed Giannini's accuser for wearing a sexy top to the interview and accused her of "crying on cue" and "crying for dollars" during the trial, Fox 13 reports. Giannini has been charged raping three women dating back to 2002. There's no verdict yet in this week's trial. (More misogyny stories.)