Sentence Lowered in Parental Battery Case

A judge has agreed to reduce the jail sentence for a Thousand Oaks man who is serving 180 days for carrying a “sword cane” and battering his father.

Superior Court Judge Vincent J. O’Neill Jr. ruled Friday that James “Candy” Walker can be released next month rather than in September for the assault last winter at Walker’s parents’ home.

Jail officials still must figure out exactly how many days Walker should get off his sentence for the 63 days he has already served and another 59 days earned for good behavior.

But he probably will be released in mid-August, said Deputy Dist. Atty. John Vanarelli.

Walker, 38, has breast implants and has been wearing women’s clothing in preparation for a sex-change operation.

He is accused of bursting into his family’s Newbury Park home Dec. 28 and attacking his father, who then shot him.

Before the ruling, his attorney argued that he was not being properly credited for days he has already served in the Ventura County Jail.

He had been ordered to serve concurrent 180-day sentences for charges of battering his father and carrying a concealed weapon, but jail officials were counting each day as if he were serving the sentences back-to-back, she said.