Source: mercurynews.com 9/9/25
A state inmate convicted of child molestation in Marin County in 1989 has been denied early medical release because of terminal cancer.
Victor Wayne Cooper, 69, lived in Novato when the crimes occurred. He allegedly molested a 6-year-old Novato girl, the daughter of an acquaintance, over a five-month period.
Cooper was convicted of four counts of lewd acts against the girl. A judge sentenced him to 60 years to life in prison. Cooper had two prior rape convictions.
Last year, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sought to grant Cooper “compassionate release” from prison because he has colon cancer, according to a state appeals court ruling. The prosecution objected, saying Cooper still posed a risk.
“Cooper’s counsel responded that Cooper’s medical condition, particularly his mobility issues, made it unlikely that he would commit any forcible sexual offenses if released,” the court ruling said. “Noting that Cooper was estimated to have six months to live, counsel urged that it would be most compassionate ‘to allow him to die outside the prison walls.’”
A Marin County judge denied the request. A lawyer for Cooper appealed, alleging the judge abused his discretion…
In Wisconsin I served from 2015 to 2018. There was a guy on our unit that was dying of cancer. He put in for early release due to failing health. They told him that he has plenty of time and they denied him. He died within 7 days of being released. I guess he knew better?
Sounds like his lawyers need to invoke People vs. Thai. The State cannot predict if he is going to be a danger and reoffend
I’d have his lawyers to an investigation on the correctional facility itself and see if his cancer is because of the facility he is in. If there’s a direct correlations medically speaking, I would file a lawsuit against the state and sue them monetarily for damages and harm for the facility he’s in with the cancer being a result, if it can be proven. They’d probably release him in an instant after that if proven.