‘Pacific Beach Rapist’ Could Get Early Release – NBC 7 San Diego

While proofreading her victim’s statement, Kim Caldwell told NBC 7 about the moment in August 1993 when she thought she was awakened by her boyfriend’s whispering, only to find the man referred to as the “Pacific Beach Rapist.” her home on Oliver Avenue was invaded.

“Kim, Kim, wake up,” Caldwell whispered, remembering. “I turned around and saw every woman’s worst nightmare: a giant knife with a serrated edge and a ski mask.”

Caldwell says her attacker spoke to her as if she were his girlfriend during the attack.

“He told me he loved me,” Caldwell said. “He talked and talked and talked and talked like we were in a relationship, so it seemed ten times scarier to me.”

When it was over, she said he put her to bed.

In the days that followed, Caldwell, then 32, said she got a gun and went hunting for her attacker on the streets of Pacific Beach, where she encountered police officers investigating her case.

“They gave me lectures. I said, ‘Listen. If that happened to you, you would hunt him down and kill him. I’m just trying to find him. That’s all, and then I’ll call you.’ “

Caldwell was never able to find the sex offender, but the police were. Using DNA evidence, she was able to link Kenneth Bogard to the crime.

In 1995, Bogard, a 36-year-old singer in a local party band, was convicted of 37 crimes, including burglary, assault and rape. Caldwell was visibly relieved in front of the courtroom where he was sentenced to more than 96 years in prison.

“I just remember thinking, ‘I’m done. That’s it. I put it to bed. Complete.’ And it really was the best feeling and I could finally put it behind me,” Caldwell said.

Almost 30 years later, that feeling of relief has been broken. Bogard, now 66, is facing parole for the second time after spending just 30 years in prison.

It’s because of what’s known as “elderly parole.” It allows early release of murderers and rapists over 50 who have served at least 20 years of their sentence. Those who are 60 must serve at least 25.

“Why? What kind of dystopian society do we live in? To just let him out, back to re-offend a new, young, more, another generation. I’m very worried about that,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell is so concerned that the former flight attendant traveled back to Pacific Beach from her current out-of-state home for Wednesday’s virtual parole hearing.

She says she wants her rapist to see the sea over her shoulder and show him the freedom he lacks.

She also promises to continue sharing her story.

“I will not stop. I’m not going to stop,” Caldwell said.

Bogard is being held at the Soledad Correctional Facility.

If he is denied parole, the Board of Parole Hearings will not schedule another parole hearing for at least three years. If he is granted parole, he will not be released immediately. The governor also has the right to send the case back for further review.