By NBC Bay Area
A man known as the "Pillowcase Rapist" who terrorized much of California in the 1970s and 1980s was ordered Friday to be released to a location in the unincorporated Palmdale area.
The court order, which will be the subject of an upcoming public hearing, comes months after residents of Lake Los Angeles campaigned to keep Christopher Hubbart out of the nearby area.
Hubbart, 62, has admitted to raping 38 women in California between 1971 and 1982 — about two dozen of which occurred in LA County. He was released to the Bay Area in 1979, where he raped 15 more women. He has been held in mental institutions since his release.
The ruling came down today in Santa Clara Superior Court. Hubbart will have around-the-clock security after his release.
The plan drew a quick response from authorities in Southern California.
"I will continue to oppose Hubbart's release," Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. "My top priority is to protect our community.
"If Hubbart is housed in Los Angeles County, my office will work with law enforcement to make sure that he is closely monitored at all times and that all terms and conditions of his release are strictly enforced."
The location is the second proposed for Hubbart. In November, the owner of a Lake Los Angeles residence withdrew his property from consideration after protest from neighbors.
A public hearing is scheduled for May 21 in San Jose regarding the new proposal.
