State Argues Sex Offender Should Stay in Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Attorneys for the Department of Human Services have argued in federal court that a man should stay in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program.

State attorneys say the man - identified as E.T. - is dangerous and still needs treatment. That differs from experts who say there's little evidence he's a risk.

The court-appointed experts are evaluating whether patients are receiving appropriate treatment under the program. The evaluations are part of a class-action lawsuit in which residents claim the program is unconstitutional because it keeps sex offenders locked up indefinitely.

An attorney representing the program's residents argued E.T. should be immediately released.

A federal judge and magistrate put E.T.'s case - and a female offender's case - on an accelerated schedule. A hearing is planned for the week of July 14.