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In a controversial decision, a judge in Yolo County has granted compassionate release to Kevin Ellis, a 67-year-old man previously convicted of multiple counts of child molestation. This ruling comes despite significant opposition from Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig and victims’ advocates, who argue that the release poses a grave risk to community safety.
“Nobody wants him living in their neighborhood. That’s the bottom line,” Reisig stated in an interview with CBS Sacramento, expressing his disapproval of the compassionate release decision.
Ellis was sentenced to over a century in prison after being convicted twice: first in 1995 for molesting two children and again in 2013 for similar offenses involving two additional victims. He has a documented history of not complying with sex offender registration laws.
The compassionate release was granted following a terminal medical diagnosis reported by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Under state law, individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness and deemed no longer a threat to society may qualify for early release. Ellis, described as wheelchair-bound and diagnosed with terminal cancer, is expected to have less than six months to live.
Reisig expressed frustration over the circumstances, highlighting the suffering of the victims impacted by Ellis’s actions. “It’s super hypocritical to call it a compassionate release and ignore the trauma that the victims are suffering as a result of this process,” he remarked.
The law mandates that Ellis must be released within 48 hours of the court ruling, and he will live under supervised release while required to register as a sex offender. However, Reisig and others argue that a four-time child molester should not be integrated back into society after serving a mere fraction of a lengthy sentence.
“We don’t think it’s appropriate for someone like him to be released back into the community. No matter the circumstances,” Reisig added.
The compassionate release process bypasses traditional parole hearings, which can be time-consuming and involve multiple reviews. In contrast, the CDCR’s recommendation leads directly to judicial approval, complicating public involvement and oversight in such sensitive cases.
Reisig has called for reforms in California law to prevent individuals convicted of serious sexual offenses from qualifying for compassionate release, emphasizing that the safety of the community should be a priority. “This is a travesty. It’s a total injustice for the children who have been victimized,” he asserted.
As for the specifics regarding Ellis’s release, the CDCR has yet to provide detailed information about where and when he will be released, as well as the conditions of his supervised status.
The conversation around this case highlights broader concerns about the legal system’s handling of sexual offenders and the potential impact of compassionate release on victims and the community at large.
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