Convicted sex offender Brock Turner is expected to return to his native Ohio after being released from jail on Friday, but that news has caused some unease in his hometown.
The ex-Stanford University swimmer will be freed after serving just three months of his six-month sentence for three felony counts of sexual assault, which stemmed from his attack on an intoxicated and unconscious woman after a fraternity party.
Santa Clara County sheriff's deuputies were setting up barricades late Thursday night marking the path Turner will take out of the Main Jail in San Jose. Hundreds of media and protesters are expected at the scene for his early morning release.
Sheriff Laurie Smith said she couldn't recall another case in which such barriers were required for the release of one inmate.
"We just want to make sure that he's directed the right way," Smith said.
Turner is being let out early on good behavior and hundreds are expected to rally on the jailhouse steps. Michele Dauber, who chairs the Committee to Recall Judge Aaron Persky, will be among them.
"The message that Judge Persky sent, not just to Mr. Turner, but to all other potential perpetrators at Stanford and other colleges is, 'Don’t worry. This isn’t serious,'" Dauber said.
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Emily Strobach, a student at University of Dayton, Ohio, said "it's ridiculous that [Turner] didn't receive a longer sentence."
A summer in jail was not enough time for Turner to think about what he did, according to Strobach, who has been following the case closely.
Turner's hometown of Oakwood is just a few miles away from the university campus. "I don't want him anywhere near us," Strobach said.
Fellow student Nicole Hamburg agreed.
"It’s kind of scary to know he is going to be out on the streets again," she said. "He could do the same thing potentially."
A two-page probation record document reveals that Turner, who must register as a sex offender for life, will be banned from doing drugs or drinking alcohol for the three years he's on probation. Police also can search him or his property at any time without a warrant.
He must complete a sex offender management program for at least one year. During that time, he'll have to take lie detector tests, but Turner is not prohibited from interacting with minors.
Anticipating a large, emotional crowd at the jail on Friday, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, who insists that Turner will not receive special treatment, plans to increase the number of deputies on duty. They will be present simply to ensure the protest remains peaceful, she said.
Meanwhile, Senator Jim Beall of Campbell is supporting two bills currently on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk that would require prison time for sexual offenses against unconscious or mentally disabled people. It's about time, millions of survivors and their families believe.
"It’s insulting to women that our judicial system doesn’t take rape seriously," Strobach said.
