Man with history of violence tied to mental illness committed for treatment instead of parole
– A San Luis Obispo County jury has found that William Cloward, 39, originally of Los Angeles County, meets the criteria of an offender with a mental health disorder and will remain at Atascadero State Hospital instead of being released on parole, District Attorney Dan Dow announced Tuesday.
The jury returned its unanimous finding Oct. 26 after a three-day trial in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court before Judge Erin M. Childs. The court then denied Cloward’s petition for release and ordered him committed to the Department of State Hospitals for treatment…