'Pillowcase Rapist' will remain free despite violations

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A judge ruled that the so-called "Pillowcase Rapist" will remain a free man and will not be returned to a psychiatric hospital. Antelope Valley residents are outraged.

"We've got children in this community," said resident Teresa Rodriguez. "He don't need to be here. He needs to be out of here."

Santa Clara County Judge Richard Loftus said Christopher Hubbart is not a danger to others and can remain in his Antelope Valley home with an ankle bracelet.

Hubbart has admitted to raping about 40 women decades ago.

Prosecutors say Hubbart violated the terms of his July release when he twice allowed the batteries on his electronic monitoring device run very low.

During a hearing, Hubbart told the judge that he was sorry for not making sure the batteries had plenty of power.

Loftus wrote that there have been no battery problems since and no other evidence of supervision breaches.

There have been constant protests outside Hubbart's Lake Los Angeles home by residents who demand that he be removed from the community.

"This is scary news, really scary. Terrifying," said Cheryl Holbrook, a member of the Ladies of Lake LA, a group created to fight the release of Hubbart. "I've got the chills."

Holbrook said some people have torched effigies and held signs telling him to "burn in hell." One person tried to run him off the road, she said, and another pulled a toy gun on one of his guards.

"He can come and go as he pleases. He can go to someone's house and decide to break in, rape them, do whatever," said Robin Boehnke. "It's ludicrous."

Hubbart's attorney, public defender Christopher Yuen, said Hubbart was continuing his outpatient treatment but had no further comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.