SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A former Stanford University swimmer whose six-month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman sparked national outcry has been released from jail after serving half his term.
Brock Turner walked out the main entrance of the Santa Clara County jail Friday and plans to head to his native Ohio to live with his parents. The 21-year-old must register as a sex offender for life and faces three years of supervised probation.
Turner’s case exploded into the spotlight when a statement from the victim swept across social media and critics decried the sentence as too lenient.
He was convicted of assaulting the young woman near a trash bin after they drank heavily at a fraternity party in January 2015. Turner plans to appeal.
California jail inmates with good behavior typically serve half their sentences.