Kevin Ellis, 67, was 11 years into serving a sentence of 100-plus years to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He was granted end-of-life mercy and release from prison following a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) recommendation to the Yolo County Superior Court. The judge ruled in Ellis' favor on January 23.
Kevin Ellis, now 67 CDCR"How is that justice for the victims and for the people that are not just physical victims but emotional victims? The families that have been ripped apart, the ripple effect of all of his abuse," Peggy Hamilton said.
Peggy and Ellis share a son together, Joseph Hamilton, and the two in their relationship blended their families. Ellis had two daughters from a previous relationship and Peggy already had another son.
"I just thought, I don't want to rip our family apart. I kept the children together. They would stay with me then go stay with him. Things seemed to be working out well. The children really loved each other. It was really a sad time for all of us," Peggy said.
"He said, 'Do you have your boys?' When he said that, my blood ran cold. He told me [Ellis] had molested children while my boys were in the house sleeping in the same home. One of [the victims] tried to commit suicide based off of what he had done to them," Peggy said.
"He only spent four months in jail," Peggy said.
"Shocked me. How can that be? Those children are going to pay for the rest of their lives," she responded.
She says she never saw any remorse from Ellis and never saw him again outside the courtroom.
In 2013, for the second time, Ellis was convicted of molesting two more children. He had also failed to register as a sex offender and was charged in addition with supplying drugs to a minor under the age of 14.
"The last thing that needs to happen is him is to be free to do that again," Peggy said.
"I remember feeling shocked, disgusted and horrified and yet, sadly, not surprised because I know the repeat offender rate that people like him have," Josephs said. "Now, he is being released again. I have two kids now. To say I was horrified is just an understatement."
"To allow a violent offender, a repeat offender out giving him six months left to live, what do you think he's going to want to do? He's got nothing to lose. I don't care if he is on his deathbed. He still could if he wanted to, even if he doesn't physically touch or harm a child. What is he looking up online?"
In order to be considered for compassionate release, CDCR has to demonstrate to a judge that the person has a suitable living arrangement secured for after their release.
"The assumption from CDCR is that he is not a risk to re-offend. How do you feel about that?" I asked Peggy.
"Do you think that someone can ever be truly rehabilitated from being a child molester?" I asked.
Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded California's compassionate release law in 2022 which also now requires the state to report annual data.
The United States federal government also tracks data for compassionate releases across the country, showing how California compares to other states.
Joseph started an online petition advocating to change this law so no violent or sexual offenders can qualify for compassionate release.
Peggy, who also now feels these old wounds reopened once again with Ellis' release, constantly asks herself how she did not notice any signs in the man she once loved. All these years later, she still carries the blame.
Peggy now joins her son in advocating for California lawmakers to step in and act.
Offenders who currently do not qualify for compassionate release are those sentenced to death, to life in prison without parole and anyone convicted of first-degree murder of a peace officer.
In court last week, Ellis' victims and Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig spoke passionately, but unsuccessfully, against his release from prison.
Joseph asks that anyone interested in joining in his family's fight to change this law email him at keepcaliforniasafe@gmail.com. Sign his petition at this link.
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