(KRON) — A jury trial for Cameron Hooker, the man known as the “Girl in the Box” kidnapper, began in a San Mateo County courtroom this week. The convicted rapist has served decades in prison for kidnapping a young woman, forcing her into sex slavery, and keeping her in a wooden box for seven years.
Hooker is set to be possibly freed from prison on parole. To stop his release, prosecutors must prove to the jury that Hooker is a sexually violent predator who should be locked in a secure state hospital.
A state prison psychiatrist previously diagnosed Hooker as a “sexual sadist” and sexually violent predator, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
In the 1980s, Hooker was convicted of kidnapping, torturing and raping 21-year-old Colleen Stan. She was abducted in May of 1977, held captive inside Hooker’s home in Red Bluff, Calif. for seven years, and was forced to live in a box.
“He whipped her and kept her in a box in the basement. He constantly engaged in torture of the victim. In 1978 he made her sign a ‘slave contract’ (and) he raped the victim regularly,” SMCDAO wrote. At times, Hooker tied up the victim and hung her from rafters in the basement, prosecutors said.
He later moved the victim from the basement to a box that he kept under his bed, prosecutors said.
Stan escaped from captivity when Hooker’s wife brought her to a pastor who helped find the victim’s family.
In this undated file photo, Cameron Hooker, right, hides his face as he is led by a Tehama County Sheriff’s deputy past photographers for a preliminary hearing. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
Hooker’s 1985 trial was held in San Mateo County because a judge granted a change of venue request out of Tehama County. He was sentenced to serve 6-35 years in prison, plus 69 years.
The inmate was set to be released on parole five years ago, however, his freedom has remained in legal limbo. The Tehama County District Attorney’s Office strongly opposes giving Hooker a chance to walk free.
“The crimes against Ms. Stan occurred over a seven-year period. What is most concerning is that he is suspected in the kidnapping and torture of another woman, Marie Spannhake. However, due to fact that her body cannot be located, he was never charged or convicted of those crimes. This all happened right here in Tehama County,” TCDAO wrote.
Hooker’s release from custody “cannot be allowed to happen,” TCDAO added.
On Friday at the Hall of Justice in Redwood City, a hearing on trial motions was held with judge Rachel Holt presiding. Jury selection is slated to begin on May 18, and the trial is expected to last four weeks. Hooker is being held in a San Mateo County jail during his trial. His defense attorney is John Halley.