Lance Purcell, a sexual predator who was being evaluated for
release into the community, was recommitted to the violent sexual
predator program at Atascadero State Hospital by a unanimous jury
decision Friday.
Lance Purcell, a sexual predator who was being evaluated for release into the community, was recommitted to the violent sexual predator program at Atascadero State Hospital by a unanimous jury decision Friday.
After a half an hour of deliberation, the jury found that Purcell, 57, still has a mental disorder predisposing him to re-offend if he was released into the community. Purcell was convicted of attempting to abduct a 5-year-old Hollister girl in 1994, and entered the treatment program at Atascadero in 2001 to receive therapy for multiple prior convictions including rape, molestation and assault with a deadly weapon in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties dating back to the 1960s.
Several experts testified for the prosecution that Purcell still exhibited the criteria that would prohibit him from being released back into society.
Deputy District Attorney Candice Hooper said she could not comment on the case and that all questions were to be directed to District Attorney John Sarsfield.
Sarsfield did not return phone calls to his home and cell phone over the weekend.
But in a prior interview Hooper said she was certain Purcell wasn’t ready to be released yet, and was unsure if he would ever be ready.
“There are too many factors to say he will be ready at any time,” she said.
Purcell felt he was rehabilitated and would not re-offend if he was released according to George Barton, his attorney.
“No attorney likes to lose a trial,” Barton said. “But you put things in the hands of the jury and that’s what makes the system work… (Purcell) was disappointed, but he doesn’t have a choice but to go with the vote of the jury.”
Purcell will be recommitted to the treatment program at Atascadero in San Luis Obispo County, and will be eligible for another evaluation in about two years.
Over the next couple of years Purcell will develop ways to cope with the deviant thoughts and behaviors he has to help him resist the temptation to commit more crimes if he is released in the future, Barton said.
“It’s similar to Alcoholics Anonymous,” he said. “They teach the ability to move past it and get on with your life.”
