Hearing notice for sexually violent predator lacks possible placement locations

This story was update at 1:15 p.m. Aug. 2, 2023 to reflect the change of venue for the Sept. 1 hearing. The Placer County District Attorney's Office reported Friday it received the formal notice from the Department of State Hospitals regarding the release of William Stephenson, a sexually violent predator who was granted conditional transient release into Placer on July 17. According to the DA's Office, the notice lacked specific locations for housing or an action plan. The DA's Office also reported the notice tasks Placer County with finding locations to place Stephenson. The DA's Office confirmed it is requesting that the court delay the release of Stephenson until the Department of State Hospitals and Liberty Healthcare can present a plan for placement and specific locations, as required by California Welfare and Institutions Code 6609.1 (a)(1), which states the Department of State Hospitals is responsible for finding and vetting locations to then provide possible locations to the county of placement to receive agency and community feedback. "The Placer County community needs and deserves more information prior to the Sept. 1 hearing," the DA's Office stated on its Facebook page. "Until then, we believe there is no other option than the reconsideration of the transient release of William Stephenson." Assemblyman Joe Patterson's office also confirmed July 27 that Patterson joined Sen. Roger Niello in sending a letter to Placer County Superior Court Judge Garen Horst to oppose Stephenson's transient-status release. "While we are not supportive of Mr. Stephenson's release in Placer County, we are adamantly opposed to his release to transient status anywhere. We implore you to reconsider his release until suitable permanent housing can be found. Releasing as a transient, without permanent or suitable housing, increases the likeliness he'll violate the conditions of his release, which he has already shown a propensity to do," the letter signed by Patterson, Niello, Sen. Brian Dahle, Assemblyman James Gallagher and Assemblywoman Megan Dahle states. The DA's Office opened a portal, placer.ca.gov/SVP, last week to provide the Placer community with case updates and allow residents to submit feedback and letters. The DA's Office has also provided suggestions for submitting an opposition letter at placer.ca.gov/9222/Suggestions-for-submitting-an-SVP-opposi?fbclid=IwAR2bGeaaXiHjWdNO-3ldQ_8FsExM9q_PTwO-9Tw2wTAO5BLVRn8IkbBmAF0. In addition to the DA's Office accepting letters of opposition, a Change.org petition opposing Stephenson's release has been launched by Voices of Placer County. As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,604 signatures have been obtained (64.1 percent of the 2,500 goal). Placer County Superior Court administration confirmed Wednesday afternoon the location of Stephenson's Sept. 1 hearing will be in Department 31 in Roseville. The hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. The hearing will address the placement of Stephenson is open to the public. Residents can also learn more about the case at placer.ca.gov/9217/Case-information-SVP-SCV-37867-William-S?fbclid=IwAR3RLhzccSBNcCWAVfba8MDRkOaqHHTnWtKW9EB59xyGx1QFHxy7ya4I-6M.