Ex-Stanford swimmer leaves jail after serving half his term on sex assault

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A former Stanford University swimmer whose six-month sentence for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman sparked national outcry was released from jail today after serving half his term.

Brock Turner walked out of the main entrance of the Santa Clara County jail and got into a white SUV. Turner plans to head to his native Ohio to live with his parents. The 21-year-old must register as a sex offender for life and faces three years of supervised probation.

Turner's case exploded into the spotlight when a poignant statement from the victim swept through social media and critics decried the sentence as too lenient. It prompted California lawmakers to pass a tougher sexual assault law and led to an effort to remove the judge from the bench.

Turner was convicted of assaulting the young woman near a trash bin after they drank heavily at a fraternity party in January 2015. He plans to appeal.

In the June sentencing, Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky cited the "extraordinary circumstances" of Turner's youth, clean criminal record and other considerations. He followed the probation department's recommendation for a "moderate" jail sentence.

After the backlash and a push for a recall, Judge Persky voluntarily removed himself from hearing criminal cases, starting next week.

California jail inmates with good behavior typically serve half their sentences. Ohio prison officials earlier this month agreed to take over supervision of Turner's probation.