Yesterday in Madera, California, WoLF Executive Director Sharon Byrne attended the preliminary hearing for People v. Tremaine Carroll - Carroll is a male formerly housed in a California women’s prison. He is facing three criminal charges, including two felony counts of forcible rape and one count of dissuading a witness from testifying.

Sharon was joined by several WoLF supporters from across California, who braved over 100°F degree heat to take a stand for the human rights of women in custody. The WoLF Team attended the hearing, and our Legal Director, Lauren Bone, attended on Zoom, as these events are significant to our separate and ongoing civil rights lawsuit, Chandler v. CDCR, in which the defendant is an intervenor.

In this court proceeding, the District Attorney presented the judge with the primary evidence to establish probable cause for the alleged felonies. The judge determined that the prosecution had met the burden of proof to proceed to trial.

It was revealed that the two alleged rapes happened only 24 hours apart.

During his hearing, Carroll’s defense claimed that, due to his various physical ailments, he could not have possibly forcibly raped another inmate or maintained a physical erection. Despite these claims, he conceded that if his bodily fluids were found in the victim’s underwear, it was because she allegedly “forcibly raped” him.

A LOOK BEHIND THE COURT ROOM DOORS

Sharon’s Account:

It was a very long day, starting at 8:00 AM in already searing heat outside the Madera Courthouse. We were joined by women from Woman II Woman, Women Are Real, and Sac TERF Central to protest the inhuman punishment of women in custody who are forced to live with men in their cells under the heinous Senate Bill 132.

In this preliminary hearing, the District Attorney must make the case there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Madera District Attorney Sally Moreno assured WoLF she had a 'solidly provable case.' We watched as three sergeants from the CDCR gave their testimony. There are two rapes alleged against two female victims. In addition, recorded phone calls to another women's prison facility in Chino showed that Carroll was trying to get one of the victims to recant.

We learned prison lingo such as 'grey woman,' which means white woman, and 'march up on that bitch', which meant threaten or assault that victim to prevent her from testifying. Carroll's attorney repeatedly insisted that he be referred to as 'she'. All witnesses, the judge and the DA continued to address him as Mr. Carroll, and call him a he.

It cannot be understated how Carroll continually attempts, quite successfully, apparently, to weaponize the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the court system, to his benefit. He's filed multiple grievances against the officers who testified, and his attorney tried to use that to discredit their testimony. He asked to be unshackled so he could take notes during the hearing. He was rolled into court in a wheelchair, and much was made of his hearing aids, as an attempt to paint him as harmless. He accused the first victim of raping him, and said his arousal was against his will.

It was incredibly refreshing to see a court refuse to bend to Gender Ideology.

After a long day of testimony, the judge agreed the People had met their burden, and ordered Carroll to stand trial for 2 counts of rape and 1 count of witness intimidation.

Lauren’s Account:

The four witnesses for the prosecution gave detailed accounts of two horrible rapes and the efforts by the alleged perpetrator to dissuade one of the victims from seeking justice, even after she was moved to a new facility for her safety. 

One of the witnesses cited SB 132 as the reason why Carroll was being housed in the women’s facility in the first place. He also noted that only males can rape females and that, until these past few years, there were no prisoners physically capable of rape.  

Such as the inescapable truth of SB 132. It intentionally gives men capable of great harm access to a large pool of victims who have nowhere to go. This is why our lawsuit is so important. We look forward to continuing our challenge in civil court to protect the human rights and civil rights of all incarcerated women in California, including the two victims in this criminal case.

JOIN OUR FIGHT

Use our easy action below to email Gov. Gavin Newsom to repeal SB 132 and get the men out of women’s prisons! Now is not the time for silence - the women in California’s custody need your courage.

Make a donation before July 19th to keep WoLF in court!

WoLF is filing an amended complaint on behalf of four women challenging California's SB 132. Our case has now gained additional visibility with the rape charges filed against Carroll.

What we warned would happen in our lawsuit has happened. Only with supporters like you can we cover legal fees and advocacy work, ensuring we can continue fighting for women's sex-based rights where they matter most: the courts.

We thank all those who have already made a gift to support our efforts to amend our Chandler v. CDCR complaint!