Topline:
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has approved the release of Christopher Hubbart, a convicted rapist, into a home in Antelope Valley, over the objections of local residents.
Why it matters: Known as the "pillowcase rapist," Hubbart was convicted in 1973, 1982 and 1990 of at least 40 rapes and other sex crimes that took place in L.A. County and parts of Northern California.
What's next: The judge said Hubbart will be required to wear a GPS bracelet and be under supervision in a "highly structured program. The placement has faced strong opposition from some top public officials, including Supervisor Kathryn Barger and District Attorney George Gascón.
Despite protests from residents of the small Juniper Hills community in the Antelope Valley, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has approved the release of Christopher Hubbart into a home in the area. Known as the "pillowcase rapist," Hubbart will be required to wear a GPS bracelet and be under supervision in a "highly structured program," according to the judge.
The backstory
Hubbart was convicted in 1973, 1982 and 1990 of at least 40 rapes and other sex crimes that took place in L.A. County and parts of Northern California. In 2000 he was detained as a sexually violent predator and committed to the Department of State Hospitals.
His first release took place in 2014, after which he was assigned to live at a Palmdale-area home. In 2017, that conditional release was rescinded by a Santa Clara County judge after evidence that he'd violated the terms of his release.
At that time he was re-committed to Coalinga State Hospital.
Why now
Then in March 2023, a Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge again approved Hubbart for conditional release. In September, against the objections of the Los Angeles District Attorney, that Northern California court designated L.A. County as Hubbart's domicile.
What's next
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Robert Harrison said another hearing will be set for "consideration of any further modifications needed to the site and to the conditional release plan."
Harrison also stressed that Hubbart must live under supervision, with a GPS bracelet. He said Hubbart will live under "highly structured program" and be subject to spot inspections.
Reaction
Supervisor Kathryn Barger has called the judge's decision "simply appalling."
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón also has voiced opposition. In a previous statement, he said the Antelope Valley "should not be a dumping ground for every sexually violent predator that is released in Los Angeles County.”
Go deeper:
