District attorney Dan Dow announced that a jury has ruled to keep a man in custody of Atascadero State Hospital, instead of being released on parole.
39-year-old William Cloward, originally from Los Angeles, was found to pose a substantial danger to the community should he be released. Dow said “no new crime is being charged. The question is whether a person who served a prison sentence for a serious crime is still so mentally ill and dangerous that release would put the public at risk.” The DA’s office says evidence showed Mr. Cloward has a long history of violence connected to his mental illness, dating back to 2008. This includes attempted robbery, setting fire to his parent’s home, assaulting another prisoner while serving his time, and stabbing a sleeping cellmate in the eye.
A forensic psychologist concluded he has schizophrenia, and it has affected his judgment, behavior, and perception of reality.
