Posted on 07/10/2003 10:19:11 PM PDT by chance33_98
Sexual Predator First to Be Released Under New Law
Before the end of the month, a serial child molester will be set free from a California mental hospital. Brian Devries, 44, is the first person to hit the streets under California's sexually violent predator law.
Though Devries is headed out of state, prosecutors are already warning, he will likely offend again.
Devries has a trail of victims. He admits to molesting 50 boys from New Hampshire to San Jose, but today a Santa Clara County judge ordered his release.
Devries spent the past five years at Atascadero State Mental Hospital. He was confined under California's sexually violent predator law, receiving intense psychiatric treatment, even castration. His doctor says Devries is now fit for supervised release, so Judge Robert Baines said he had no choice but to release him.
"We have now reached the point where further involuntary incarceration does become illegal," said Baines.
In a statement to The Associated Press this week, Devries expressed remorse for his past. He said, "If I could ever take away the victimization that I've done, I would. I never, ever want to harm another kid, harm another family."
However, prosecutors and law enforcement aren't buying it. Devries will be released but not quite free. He will be supervised in a state of the art program that could cost taxpayers nearly a million dollars. Authorities will monitor him 24 hours a day using global position tracking system.
Devries will not live in California. Sixty landlord refused to let Devries live in their apartments or houses. He is moving to Mason County in Washington State to live with his father.
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