SACRAMENTO (KUSI) – In the past, the state has sent many sexually violent predators to live in San Diego’s East County, much to the dismay of East County residents.
This happened most recently with the case of appointing two SVPs, Douglas Badger and Merle Wakefield, to a Mount Helix home.
Yesterday, a judge denied the proposal to place Wakefield in the house, but the fate of Badger has not yet been ruled on.
California Sen. Melissa Melendez, representing the 28th District, joined KUSI’s Ginger Jeffries on Good Evening San Diego to discuss the ways the state handles SVPs and what can be done to amend the system.
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A judge today rejected placing a sexually violent predator poised for conditional release at a home in the Mount Helix neighborhood, saying the residence was located in a densely populated neighborhood and in close proximity to children.
District Attorney Summer Stephan and many community members, particularly those living in the Mount Helix neighborhood, opposed the placement of the two SVPs.
The District Attorney’s Office was not involved in the case besides ensuring that the DA’s and the public’s grievances were made known to the court before the ruling.
The Department of State Hospitals are responsible for locating and recommending housing placement for SVPs who have been directed to the area for continued treatment.
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – After the continued efforts of community members, politicians, and more, a San Diego Superior Court Judge ruled that a Mount Helix home would not house sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield.
Given its proximity to homes with children, a music academy, and a childcare site, Judge Albert T. Harutunian III said that the house was not appropriate for Wakefield.
“It is not a safe placement for the community,” Harutunian said.
District 2 County Supervisor Joel Anderson joined KUSI’s Ginger Jeffries to discuss the judge’s rejection of the SVP’s proposed placement.
Supervisor Anderson noted the high ratio of SVPs to residents in East County, where it appears many of them are being sent.
MOUNT HELIX (KUSI) – A judge today rejected placing a sexually violent predator poised for conditional release at a home in the Mount Helix neighborhood, saying the residence was located in a densely populated neighborhood and in close proximity to children.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Albert Harutunian III said the home at 10957 Horizon Hills Drive, which was proposed by state hospital officials to house 64-year-old Merle Wade Wakefield, was “not what the legislature intended for SVP placements.”
Wakefield, who is currently housed at Coalinga State Hospital, is classified as a sexually violent predator, a designation for those convicted of sexually violent offenses and diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes them likely to re-offend. According to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Wakefield was convicted of sex crimes in 1981 and 1990 and served prison terms for each crime.
Both SVPs have a long history of predatory behavior towards children.
A hearing on Merle Wakefield’s proposed location is scheduled for May 10.
Wakefield has been convicted of committing lewd acts with a minor under 14 and sentenced to state prison.
KUSI’s Elizabeth Alvarez was joined by Senator Brian Jones, who wrote Senate Bill 445, which would prevent convicted rapists and other SVPs from early prison release.