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.
Am I the only one that noticed that it’s only those convicted for sex crimes that can have a terminal illness and mobility issues that somehow are still a threat in hearings for compassionate release. murderers, dope dealers, and the like are never a problem in this regard.
I for one would like to hear the state explain in explicit detail what exactly they think such petitioners are capable of that’s so threatening that compassionate release should be denied.
This guy was a pretty bad dude back in his day, and just because he’s dying doesn’t mean he should ever be released.
Even with only 6 months to live and being in a wheelchair, I agree with the judge, this guy is still extremely dangerous and a threat to society.
I’m 100% convinced the entire registration scheme is about spite work and NOT public safety. If they actually cared about “child safety” then lawmakers would have done everything in their power to address curtail school shootings, poverty and healthcare.
But no, lawmakers have created a false dichotomy of safety via the registry and law enforcement has their easy win in looking good in the eyes of the community. The media is also complicit is facilitating and perpetuation this false dichotomy.
But hey, if you’re rich, powerful and elected, all you have to do is deny, deny and deflect – calling it a hoax / witch hunt – and all is forgotten.
Wow, just wow.
Soooo, if he was released, where would he go and how would he support himself and pay for whatever medical care he’d need before he dies?
If the full article answered those questions I couldn’t read it because it was behind a paywall.