http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17486124?nclick_check=1
Cary Verse loses outpatient status, back in sexually violent predator program
By Malaika Fraley
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 02/25/2011 07:19:51 PM PST Updated: 02/25/2011 07:19:53 PM PST
MARTINEZ -- A local sex offender was booted from an outpatient program Friday, clearing the way for attorneys to argue next month whether he should be recommitted indefinitely to a state hospital for sexually violent predators.
Contra Costa Judge John Kennedy said that Cary Verse, 40, "put himself at significant risk of relapsing" when he violated terms of a conditional release program by befriending a 24-year-old man in his group therapy. The man, referred to in court as John Doe, disclosed the friendship to his therapist in recent weeks, which led to an investigation.
"I just violated the terms of the program, I don't have a good reason," Verse testified before the judge's ruling. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
Verse went to prison and later Atascadero State Hospital for sexual assaults on teen boys and a young man from 1988 to 1992. In 2004, Verse was one of the first people in the state to be released from Atascadero hospital after completing a state program for sexually violent predators. It took a year for officials to eventually find him housing in Bay Point because of protests.
Kennedy noted Friday that Verse has committed no crimes since his release and has a good reputation in the community, where he is active in a local church. However, earlier this month, he was sent to Coalinga State Hospital for the second time in five years for violating terms of his conditional release program operated by Liberty Healthcare.
His outpatient status was previously revoked in 2006 after he was caught driving with a friend's minor son.
"One would have thought that would have led him to avoid any further relapses," Kennedy said.
Despite knowing rules that participants in group therapy cannot mingle, Verse testified that he became friends with Doe last May or June as they rode the same BART line after their weekly sessions. Eventually, the two men started talking in the phone.
Last fall, Verse twice went to Doe's house, to give him and then take back an Xbox video game console. Verse said he gave the gift because he empathized with Doe that he had no entertainment while on house arrest, but later took it back because Verse had lost his job and needed money from a refund.
Both times Verse, who is monitored by GPS, falsely wrote on his daily transportation log that he was looking at bicycle parts when he went to Doe's.
Verse said he and Doe mutually agreed to end their friendship in December so as not to risk program revocation. He never had sexual feelings or intentions for Doe, Verse said.
Deputy district attorney David Brown argued Friday that Verse knowingly violated the rules and covered up his actions, demonstrating he is not fit for the program. Brown said Verse was "potentially grooming" Doe and called Verse's attentions "unwarranted." Verse's attorney Laurie Mont said that Verse is "very willing to work hard to regain the trust of Liberty."
The attorneys return to court March 25 to argue Brown's petition to have Verse recommitted indefinitely.