Five former federal prosecutors who now work as MSNBC legal analysts co-wrote a powerful column on the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Mimi Rocah, Barbara McQuade, Jill Wine-Banks, Joyce White Vance and Maya Wiley co-wrote the think piece, published by NBC News on Tuesday.
"Allegations of sexual assault are deserving of a full and fair investigation, particularly when a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court is at stake," the quintet wrote.
"While some argue that the truth about this incident will come down to a 'he said, she said' situation, that’s not how it looks to us," they explained. "Prosecutors and investigators are confronted with these scenarios frequently and don’t just throw up their hands and say, 'We can’t decide.' Instead, prosecutors look for corroborating evidence — and there are strong indications already that Ford is telling the truth about her attack."
The former prosecutors cited corroboration, the polygraph exam, and motives as bolstering the claims by Dr. Christine Ford.
"In our view, Ford is providing a credible account about a painful, horrible incident that occurred many years ago and which she hoped she would never have to talk about to anyone again, let alone the whole country," they concluded.
"This is not about politics or investigating the ideological views of Brett Kavanaugh. Indeed, if his nomination does not succeed, President Donald Trump will almost certainly nominate someone with similar views and positions," they remind. "This debate is instead about our country’s respect for women, for victims of crime and for our justice system."
Read the full column.