Judge Apologizes for Calling Rape Victim ‘Coyote Ugly’

A judge who admits making “insulting and sexist” comments about a woman victim of a sexual attack has apologized for the remarks but says they were taken out of context by a newspaper.

Judge Bernard J. Avellino apologized Tuesday to the victim and to Women Organized Against Rape, which had asked that he be barred from hearing sexual-assault cases.

The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jan. 27 quoted Avellino as telling a defendant at a 1984 hearing: “This was an unattractive girl, and you are a good-looking fellow. You did something to her which was stupid.”

In an interview, Avellino said the victim “was the ugliest girl I have ever seen in my entire life . . . in the top 10.” Avellino was also quoted as calling the victim “coyote ugly.”