Tearful testimony from the victim of convicted child sex abuser Omar Torres moved Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Sevely to hand the former downtown San Jose council member an 18-year prison sentence on Aug. 29.

The cousin of 43-year-old Torres, identified only as John Doe, said he was far from the only victim of his cousin’s reign of terror, as revelations of the disgraced councilmember’s crimes divided the family. One side believed Torres should be held accountable by the criminal justice system—and the other felt the politician’s life in public service and sobriety provided evidence of his resolve.

Despite the defense’s attempts to cast Torres as a child sex abuse victim who acted upon what he experienced in his childhood, the prosecution countered by pointing to Doe,

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