By David Richie
drichie@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 | Page 2B
Roseville police are notifying residents about the presence of convicted murderer and sex offender Michael Charles Etchison, who moved to the city last week.
On Tuesday morning, police distributed fliers around his new neighborhood with photographs of Etchison and the car he drives. They also released fliers to the news media.
Etchison, 53, is the subject of a community meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. today at the Roseville Sports Center, 1545 Pleasant Grove Blvd.
"This is the first time we have done a communitywide notification," said Dee Dee Gunther, Police Department spokeswoman. "His offenses were violent, and unlike the vast majority of sex offenders, he targeted strangers."
The department's Megan's Law public notification indicates that during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Etchison sexually assaulted four young women in San Mateo County. He attacked one woman at knifepoint after offering her a ride home. He assaulted three other women in the restroom at a drive-in movie theater, officials said.
Etchison's juvenile record includes the sexual assault and murder of a young woman in 1972, when he was 17.
Elaine Tipton, supervising deputy district attorney for the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office confirmed that Etchison served time in the California Youth Authority for murder. As an adult, he was convicted of sexual assault in 1979 and again in 1981 while on parole. He was sentenced to 26 years in prison, Tipton said.
"In December 2006, we aggressively sought a finding that he remained a sexually violent predator," Tipton said.
But a judge ordered Etchison released from custody.
Etchison answered the door at his house on Marblethorpe Drive, off Woodcreek Oaks Boulevard, early Tuesday afternoon. A copy of the Roseville police flier was still under the welcome mat on the front porch. "I think it's best that I wait until things die down a little," Etchison said when asked if he wanted to talk to a Bee reporter. "I really don't have any comment."
Etchison has served his entire prison sentence. He is not on parole or probation, and he is not wanted for any offense, Roseville officials said.
Megan's Law requires that Etchison notify local police when he moves into a community. "He did everything he is supposed to do," Gunther said.
The law also allows local officials to alert the community about the man's presence. "Our intention is not to create fear. Megan's Law is a notification law. We also are not going to tolerate any harassment of him," Gunther said.
There are 147 registered sex offenders living in Roseville. Not all are listed on the Megan's Law Web site because they have successfully petitioned to get off that list, or local police do not consider them a high risk, Gunther said.
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