The California Supreme Court has halted the pending release of a Marin County serial rapist whose prison sentence expired four years ago.

Patrick Ghilotti was scheduled to leave Atascadero State Hospital today. He´s been confined there for four years under a state law allowing sexually violent offenders to be committed for treatment.

Ghilotti was set to become California´s first violent rapist to be released under the 1996 law.

Two psychologists not employed by the state had said Ghilotti posed no danger to society. Another evaluation was inconclusive.

That prompted a Marin County Superior Court judge to order he be released today. But the Supreme Court´s ruling late last night halted that release.

Ghilotti´s lawyers have until December seventh to respond to the court´s action.