The California State Board of Parole is set to release Cody Woodsen Klemp, a 67-year-old serial child rapist with 140 years remaining on his sentence, under the Elderly Parole Program. Despite objections from both the victim and the prosecutors, the board justified their decision based on Klemp's perceived "low risk for violence," advanced age, and "marketable skills."
Klemp, a former Tustin police officer, was convicted of 40 felonies, including rape and forced oral copulation, for assaulting his niece when she was 14. The parole board's decision, announced on November 8, shocked Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin, who denounced it as a "devastating blow to victims."
The Elderly Parole Program, enacted in 2018 and revised in 2021, allows parole reviews for inmates over 50 who have served 20 or more continuous years of their sentences. Hestrin expressed concern over the release, citing Klemp's violent history and admissions to the parole board.
Klemp's victim, now 48, testified to the lasting psychological trauma inflicted by her uncle. Born to a developmentally disabled mother, she detailed the abuse that began with a tickling game and escalated into repeated rape and psychological torment. Following Klemp's conviction, she sued child welfare agencies for inadequate background checks, but the case was lost on a technicality.
Expressing fear for her safety and the potential harm to others, the victim went public, hoping to sway the parole board's decision. She emphasized the ongoing impact of the abuse on victims and urged reconsideration.
Comments
Post a Comment