Sexually violent predator to remain in state custody after jury finding
Zoran Petrovic.
– A San Luis Obispo County jury has found that Zoran Petrovic is a sexually violent predator and should remain in the custody and care of the California Department of State Hospitals, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced this week.
The jury returned its finding after a two-week trial on the petition filed by the District Attorney’s Office.
California’s Sexually Violent Predator law allows a district attorney to petition for the continued detention of an individual beyond their parole period if they have been sentenced to state prison for one or more sexually violent offenses, diagnosed with a mental disorder, and pose a present danger to the safety of others because they are likely to engage in acts of sexual violence if released.
The law is civil, not criminal, with the purpose of protecting the community by providing treatment and rehabilitation in a locked hospital environment such as Coalinga State Hospital.
“The jury’s verdict will make certain that Mr. Petrovic continues to remain in a hospital setting where he is not a threat to our community,” Dow said. “My office is dedicated to protecting everyone in San Luis Obispo County from dangerous sexual predators like Mr. Petrovic.”
Petrovic, 80, has been convicted of three qualifying sexually violent crimes, including two in San Luis Obispo County and one in a foreign jurisdiction. In 2006, he was convicted of committing a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14 and possession of child pornography. After violating parole in 2010, he was convicted again of possession of child pornography with a prior conviction.
In 2013, Petrovic was placed at Coalinga State Hospital for consideration as a sexually violent predator and has remained there since. He has refused to participate in any sex offender treatment program.
At trial, jurors heard testimony from one of Petrovic’s child victims, now an adult, as well as four psychologists who evaluated him. Experts testified that Petrovic has a diagnosed mental disorder of pedophilia, making him predisposed to commit sexually violent offenses on children. They said the disorder makes him a substantial danger to others and that he is likely to engage in predatory sexually violent criminal behavior if released.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kimberly R. Dittrich of the District Attorney’s Sexual Violence Unit and investigated by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. Victim services were provided by Victim Advocate Tristan Milledge.
