PIERCE COUNTY, Wash – As of noon Thursday, the man known as Spokane’s South Hill Rapist is free.
He was released from the Special Commitment Center at noon, just two hours after a Spokane County judge signed the state’s motion, saying they no longer have probable cause to hold him.
Coe, who was accused of dozens of rapes in Spokane in the late 1979s and early 1980s, served 25 years in prison. Then, he was involuntarily committed as a sexually violent predator to the island facility in Pierce County.
Because of his age and health, the state said he no longer fits that criteria and they can’t meet the burden of proof needed to hold him.
DSHS, who runs the Special Commitment Center, said Coe would be released at noon and transported to the Win Win adult family home, which was chosen by Coe’s defense.
His release is unconditional, but he will have to register as a sex offender.
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