In a legal process that is closely watched by Placer and Sacramento Counties, the saga of William Stephenson's placement continued today in the Placer County Superior Court. According to a statement from the Placer County District Attorney's Office, a status conference was held to discuss the location assessment for Stephenson, a state-designated Sexually Violent Predator. Stephenson, appearing virtually, was represented by the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) and their contractor Liberty Healthcare. The report submitted by DSH indicated that an undisclosed location in Placer County is currently under evaluation and that a housing meeting will be scheduled upon completion of their site assessment.
Community members and county representatives attended the hearing to hear the update. The discussion took a turn when the Placer County DA’s Office, along with Placer County and the Placer County Sheriff's Office, filed a motion to invoke 'extraordinary circumstances.' This request, as reported by the Placer County District Attorney's Office, would broaden the search for Stephenson's residence to include both Placer and Sacramento Counties. However, faced with resistance, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office objected to this expansion.
Despite the rigorous search efforts by Liberty Healthcare, a suitable residence for Mr. Stephenson has not been secured in Placer County. Mr. Stephenson’s counsel asked the court to also expand the search, bolstering their request on the basis that Stephenson has family in Sacramento County. Remarking on his ties to the area, "Mr. Stephenson indicated to the court that he was born and raised in Sacramento County, moved to Placer County briefly, and then moved back to Orangevale in Sacramento County after college," a history that precedes his criminal record and subsequent involvement with the legal system, as reported by Placer County District Attorney's Office.
The court has not yet decided on placement but ordered DSH to extend their search for Stephenson's residency into both counties. Mr. Stephenson lived in Placer County briefly before being arrested and convicted for offenses in El Dorado County, which formed the basis of his Sexually Violent Predator status, which, after serving his prison sentence, led to his commitment to the Department of State Hospitals. The next review hearing was set for December 16 at 11 a.m. in Department 32 in Roseville, as per the announcement by the DA's Office. It is possible that a housing committee will be convened before the December court date to further discuss the status of Stephenson’s placement.
