Sex Offender Gets 2 Years for Attacks
A man who fled after he was convicted of two sex attacks in the San Fernando Valley was sentenced Wednesday to two years and 30 days in jail.
Marill Watson, 34, pleaded no contest and the sentence was imposed by Van Nuys Municipal Judge Lloyd M. Nash.
Watson was convicted in September 1995 of child molestation, lewd conduct, lewd exposure and battery. But when he was released pending sentencing and fled, his case became a center of debate over jail policy. Several of his victims criticized his release, saying he was dangerous and never should have been set free.
After tracing Watson to Las Vegas, police brought him back last month for sentencing.
Watson had been convicted of attacks in North Hollywood and Van Nuys.
In one, he tried to force a 53-year-old woman into his car as he masturbated, the city attorney’s office said.
In the other, he followed two teenage girls who were walking near Vesper Avenue and Burbank Boulevard. According to court records, he drove slowly past the girls and one teen reported seeing him masturbate.
He was sentenced to 30 days for failure to appear, and two years on the other misdemeanor convictions.
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