(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.
Two bills passed by the California Legislature in response to this case are now on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk.
One would redefine rape to include any form of sexual penetration. Another would block California judges from sentencing anyone convicted of sexual assault to probation.
Brown has until September 30th to act on those bills. In recent years, he has vetoed several measures that have sought to toughen criminal justice system penalties, citing California's overcrowded prison population. And on this November's ballot, Brown is backing a measure that would shorten the length of time that many inmates serve behind bars.
Capital Public Radio's Ben Adler contributed to this report.
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