Attorney General's News Release

July 31, 2000

Nixon files motion in St. Louis City to keep sexual offender in civil commitment

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today filed a motion in St. Louis City probate court to commit a St. Louis man to civil commitment as a sexually violent predator following his release from prison after serving a sentence for sodomy.

Larry L. Coffman (DOB 2-10-45) completed a 15-year sentence on the 1985 conviction out of St. Louis City. A hearing will be held in St. Louis City Probate Division on Aug. 1, 2000, concerning the state's motion to have Coffman committed into the custody of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. The law requires a probable cause hearing in that court and provides the opportunity for the defendant to contest probable cause with the assistance of counsel.

The violent sexual predator law, which took effect Jan. 1, 1999, permits the state to retain civil custody -- following prison release -- of any convicted sexual predator who has been determined to have a mental abnormality that makes the person likely to commit additional predatory sexual acts. The statute provides for a review by psychiatric and other agency professionals and a review by a team of prosecutors, including the prosecutor where the original crimes took place.

Once recommendations are made to the Attorney General, the law allows the Attorney General to seek civil commitment by filing a petition in the probate division of the circuit court in which the conviction took place.

If a probable cause determination is made, a second psychiatric evaluation is performed and the court shall conduct a trial to determine whether the person is a sexually violent predator. If such a determination is made, the defendant shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Mental Health until that person is deemed to be safe to society.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818