Stanford rape: Convict Brock Turner released after serving 3 months in jail

Brock Turner whose six-month sentence for raping an unconscious woman at Stanford University sparked national outcry has been released from jail after serving half his term.

Brock Turner whose six-month sentence for raping an unconscious woman at Stanford University sparked national outcry has been released from jail after serving half his term.

Brock Turner, the former Stanford swimmer convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, leaves the Santa Clara County Jail in San Jose. (REUTERS)

The one-time Olympic hopeful swimmer walked out the main entrance of the Santa Clara County jail on Friday shortly after 6am.

Turner, who did not comment to the media, got into a white SUV. He 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 poignant statement from the victim swept through social media and critics decried the sentence as too lenient. It prompted California lawmakers to pass a tougher sexual assault law and led to an effort to remove the judge from the bench.

Turner was convicted of assaulting the young woman near a trash bin after they drank heavily at a fraternity party in January 2015. He plans to appeal.

In the June sentencing, Santa Clara County judge Aaron Persky cited the “extraordinary circumstances” of Turner’s youth, clean criminal record and other considerations.

Following backlash and a push for a recall, Persky voluntarily removed himself from hearing criminal cases, starting next week.

California jail inmates with good behaviour typically serve half their sentences. Ohio prison officials earlier this month agreed to take over supervision of Turner’s probation.

Greene County sheriff Gene Fischer said Turner has five days to register as a sex offender with his office in Xenia, Ohio, 15 miles east of Dayton. He will have to report to a probation officer for three years and must avoid alcohol and drugs during that time.

Fischer said his department will send postcards to Turner’s neighbors informing them that a convicted sex offender is moving in nearby.

Turner will be required to register every three months in person at the sheriff’s office, reaffirming that he is still living with his parents, the sheriff said.

Deputies also will check on Turner periodically and without warning to ensure he has not moved out without permission from authorities.

Turner also is barred from parks, schools and other places where children are expected to gather.

“He will be treated no differently than any other sex offender we monitor,” Fischer said.