Judge Again Denies Transsexual’s Release

A judge Tuesday once again refused to free a transsexual from jail or order any special treatment for the Thousand Oaks resident who was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and battering his father.

James “Candy” Walker, who has breast implants and is taking medication in preparation for a sex-change operation, was sentenced to 180 days in jail for the December assault with a “sword cane” at his family home.

His family had waged a campaign to have the charges dropped, but Walker was convicted after a one-day judge trial earlier this month. Since his conviction, his mother has pleaded with authorities to place Walker in a medical facility because she says he is unable to receive specialized medical and psychological treatment required for his condition.

“He is suicidal,” Debra Walker said of her son after Tuesday’s hearing.

She said her son’s breast implants are leaking and if not tended to could result in the loss of his right arm. “I don’t want to bring an invalid home from jail,” she said.

Further, his attorney said Tuesday that jailers are practicing “cruel and unusual punishment” by keeping him in solitary confinement.

“Our criminal justice system is not equipped to handle transsexuals,” defense attorney Phillip R. Poliner said.

Jailers said Walker needs to be segregated from the general jail population for his own safety and that medical staff is able to tend Walker’s medical needs. Superior Court Judge Vincent J. O’Neill Jr. refused to modify Walker’s sentence Tuesday.

Walker was arrested Dec. 27 after breaking into his parents’ Thousand Oaks home and confronting his father with the knife-like weapon. The elder Walker shot his son in the head with a rifle, but the younger Walker was not seriously wounded.

Prosecutors said that regardless of the family’s feelings, a crime had occurred.