| Posted on Sun, Aug. 10, 2003 | |
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Sex predator's release riles residents By Corey Lyons CONTRA COSTA TIMES Nervous residents and city officials in Martinez are braced for the possibility of a sexually violent predator being released into one of their neighborhoods. Cary Verse, 32, has unwittingly stirred up fear and resentment in a city that does not yet know for sure if it will inherit the repeat sex offender. A judge has ruled that Verse should be set free from a state mental hospital after finishing his prison term and a controversial rehabilitation program. The issue raises tough questions about personal safety and individual freedoms. Can a habitual sex offender be cured or, at least, learn to resist his impulses? So far, a proposal by a contract health care firm calls for releasing the man into a neighborhood in Martinez, about half a mile from Alhambra High School. A precise address has been kept secret, despite objections from police. Neighbors are already jittery. "I can't tell you how unnerving it is," said Emily Simons, a 41-year-old single mother who moved into the neighborhood in February. "They're risking my kids and other kids and that's my main concern." The debate is driven by the state's Sexually Violent Predator Act, in which some chronic rapists and child molesters still deemed a threat after finishing their sentences can remain at Atascadero State Hospital indefinitely. Sexually violent predators must receive a trial every two years so a judge or jury can determine if they still pose a threat. If not, they can be released. In recent days, California found housing for convicted child molester Brian DeVries, the first sexually violent predator to be freed after finishing the 7-year-old therapy program. The case of DeVries, 44, set off a frantic search for housing, one that started in San Jose, led to Washington and circled back again because of the outcry. He is now expected to live in a trailer near a prison in Monterey County, pending a court hearing. "I've told them both, DeVries and Cary, that all the world's temptations will hit you in the face when you get out," said Jake Goldenflame, a recovering sex offender who lives in San Francisco. "All the enemies are waiting outside the gate for you. "But just the presence of a supervisor in your life will help steady you, until you grow enough backbone to be your own supervisor." Verse has been at Atascadero, an all-male, maximum-security hospital, since his release from prison in the late 1990s. His past includes sexual assaults involving teen-age boys and a homeless man. Verse, who had himself chemically castrated, has finished four distinct treatment phases as part of the Department of Mental Health's sexually violent predator therapy program. The fifth and final phase is a supervised release, one that would probably involve being tracked by a Global Positioning System device. A county judge granted Verse's release in January, issuing a second order in May. State health officials worked with a private contractor, Liberty Healthcare Corp., to set up an outpatient program for him in Martinez. If and when Verse moves there, he must then register as a sex offender with police. Under Megan's Law, the public will be able to access information about Verse. In a legal jousting match, police are trying to get the exact address in advance so they can notify nearby residents. One homeowner was angry about being a "guinea pig neighborhood." "This is something that could tax our resources," said Police Chief Dave Cutaia. "But we'd have to do it. Our monitoring would be both regular and investigative." Meantime, state officials are not convinced that Verse is ready to be set free. In a recent court declaration, his staff psychiatrist at Atascadero, Dr. Jackson Rowland, painted a portrait of Verse as mentally ill and religiously conflicted, a Jehovah's Witness at odds with his sexual urges. "Given his disbelief that he has a mental disorder, and his lack of insight, he is at a higher risk for noncompliance," Rowland said. "He is less likely to continue the medication if released." Dr. Jan Alarcon, Verse's psychologist, is leery of his release as well He said Verse had engaged in verbal outbursts in a pair of group sessions last month, refusing to acknowledge his behavior. This is a reversal from January, when Dale Arnold, another staff psychologist, said the convict had met his goals and was ready for a new start. Goldenflame, 66, said Verse has paid for his crimes and had advanced through a demanding therapy program. "Everyone in this great nation of ours is entitled to equal protection, and that includes recovering sex offenders," he said. "Cary Verse has the same right to live wherever he pleases, in private, like everyone else." Reach Corey Lyons at 925-977-8418 or [email protected]. | |
(JW) sex predator's release riles residents
by ignored_one 6 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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ignored_one
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ignored_one
Thought I'd try my first Bump.
Ignored One.
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Xena
Cary Verse has the same right to live wherever he pleases, in private, like everyone else."
No you lose that right when you violate the rights of children to have normal happy childhoods. And I agree with the comment on resident made about not wanting to be a "guinna pig" community for this experment. How many children do they have to hurt before you say ENOUGH?????
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waiting
Verse, who had himself chemically castrated, has finished four distinct treatment phases as part of the Department of Mental Health's sexually violent predator therapy program.
The fifth and final phase is a supervised release, one that would probably involve being tracked by a Global Positioning System device.
I was under the impression that castration doesn't work well for rapists & molesters due to the fact that these crimes tend to be crimes of violence & deviant compulsion rather than strickly sexual drive. Perhaps the "four distinct treatments phases" address those parts of his criminal behavior?
his staff psychiatrist at Atascadero, Dr. Jackson Rowland, painted a portrait of Verse as mentally ill and religiously conflicted, a Jehovah's Witness at odds with his sexual urges.
"Given his disbelief that he has a mental disorder, and his lack of insight, he is at a higher risk for noncompliance," Rowland said. "He is less likely to continue the medication if released."
Dr. Jan Alarcon, Verse's psychologist, is leery of his release as well He said Verse had engaged in verbal outbursts in a pair of group sessions last month, refusing to acknowledge his behavior.
This is a reversal from January, when Dale Arnold, another staff psychologist, said the convict had met his goals and was ready for a new start.
Soooooooooo, 2 out of his 3 psychiatrists/psychologists believe he should NOT be released......sooooooooo, he's being released.
It's a terrible situation for all concerned.
waiting
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waiting
said Jake Goldenflame, a recovering sex offender who lives in San Francisco.
Goldenflame, 66, said Verse has paid for his crimes and had advanced through a demanding therapy program.
"Everyone in this great nation of ours is entitled to equal protection, and that includes recovering sex offenders," he said. "Cary Verse has the same right to live wherever he pleases, in private, like everyone else."
I cannot believe that the newspaper chose to quote a recovering sex offender to justify another sex offender's release (and does Mr. Goldenflame even know Mr. Verse?).....when 2 out of 3 mental health professionals dealing long term with Verse say he should NOT be released.
Augggggggggggggggggggggggggh!
waiting
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rocketman
Interesting case...thanks for the update.
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Special K
Ignored_one
Thanks for the posting...
This guy definitely sounds like he needs to be behind bars...
I suppose he'll be attending the local congregation when he moves there...
Wonder what his reception their will be from the J.W. parents and elders etc....
Special K