Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/24/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Robert M. LaForge

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

MENTALLY DISORDERED OFFENDER’S COMMITMENT EXTENDED

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that a Sonoma County jury extended the state hospital commitment of Gregory Dean Clements, who has been treated as a mentally disordered offender at Atascadero State Hospital since 2003. The jury found the petition filed by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to be true. The finding by the jury extends Clements’ commitment to the state hospital until January 2007.

Gregory Dean Clements was sent to prison in 1998 after being convicted of felony stalking and criminal threats against a man from the city of Sonoma. These crimes took place the same day Clements was released from prison on a previous felony vandalism case involving the same victim. After serving time in prison for the 1998 offenses and prior to his release on parole, it was determined that Mr. Clements met the requirements to be treated by the State Department of Mental Health.

The jury received evidence from a mental health expert and concluded that Mr. Clements has a severe mental disorder that is not in remission and that by reason of his severe mental disorder he represents a substantial danger of physical harm to others.

Superior Court Judge Rene Chouteau presided over the trial. Deputy District Attorney Robert LaForge was the prosecutor assigned to the case. He was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Roy Loden.