This wasn't just a case of rape of a child regardless of how the DA chose to limit the charges the State would charge.   It was a deliberate poisoning [doesn't have to kill someone - it was a toxic substance given in enough quantity to render her unresponsive] - It was clearly the premeditated rape of a child -  And it was wanton disregard of life - he was completely indifferent if she died as a result of his actions.   Not even respectable - to give him the minimum sentence when the DA has already thrown out w/o charging the rapist's willingness to poison a child and let her die.  
Having pity on the 'poor young rapist' who somehow 'misunderstood' that the rules have changed and male sexual supremacy is no longer being accepted [as it has been for so long] is NOT the way to change the culture - the rules changed quite a while back, and it's high time we started Expecting young men to Know that such behavior is something to be greatly ashamed of, not bragged about to ones chums.