John and Ken talked to the rape victim of Cody Woodsen Klemp who was just released from prison.
Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin had this to say:
The state Board of Parole Hearings has agreed to release a convicted rapist 29 years into a 170-year prison sentence. This move comes over the objections of the victim and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
In 1994, Cody Woodsen Klemp, DOB: 4-16-56, was convicted of 40 felonies involving the repeated rape of his 14-year-old niece. The teenager had been placed in the care of her uncle in 1990, even though he had twice been convicted of rape. The child escaped from the home in Moreno Valley, and eventually disclosed the abuse to her therapist, who reported the crimes to authorities. When Klemp was located, he was already in jail, facing charges of domestic violence, child abuse and violating his parole.
In case CR50622, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted Klemp on 20 counts of committing a lewd and lascivious act on a child, 10 counts of rape, and 10 counts of forced oral copulation on a child. The trial court also heard evidence Klemp threatened to kill the victim for going public and acknowledged Klemp had been convicted of rape in 1976 and 1981.
Despite this, on Nov. 8, the state parole board cited Klemp’s ‘low risk for violence,’ age, and marketable skills, as consideration for finding him suitable for parole. Klemp is now 67 years old. If the board does not rescind its finding, he will be released on or before March 15, 2024.
“Although this practice of early release is far from unusual these days, considering the inmate’s particularly violent criminal history, and admissions to the parole board itself, it is shocking that such a release would be considered,” said District Attorney Mike Hestrin. “This is a devastating blow to victims, and our office will continue to fight on their behalf.”
The Riverside County DA’s Office plans to appeal the decision and send a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting a hearing to reconsider Klemp’s release.