SOUTHBURY, Conn. -- A New London Superior Court judge denied a request from the attorney general to delay the prison release of a convicted rapist.

New London Superior Court Judge Susan Handy said 54-year-old David Pollitt has served his sentence and is entitled to his freedom.

On Thursday morning, Gov. Jodi Rell sent a letter to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to seek a delay in releasing David Pollitt, 54, from prison on Friday. He is slated to move in with his sister in Southbury, which has some neighbors concerned.

Blumenthal argued for Pollitt to be released to a halfway house to serve out his probation.

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Pollitt has completed his prison sentence after serving more than 24 years for sexual assaults on women in Old Lyme, Waterford, Killingworth, Rocky Hill and Wallingford. Police also suspected him of rapes in other towns in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Rell said her office has received numerous calls, letters and e-mails from the public who expressed concern.

"I am very disappointed that this reasonable and prudent request was rejected," Rell said in a written statement after the judge's ruling. "Public safety is our top priority -- I empathize completely with the residents of the Fox Run Drive community, and despite this decision I want them to know that everything possible is being done to safeguard their homes and families."

Rell said a delay would have afforded the state time to "carefully review all possible safety measures to protect the residents of Southbury."

"He has been convicted of rapes in five Connecticut towns and is suspected in others. I recognize that he has served his full sentence and is due for release -- but I also recognize that we must leave no stone unturned in protecting the families of the Fox Run Drive neighborhood in Southbury," Rell said.

Southbury Residents To Meet Over Rapist's Release

Prior to the governor's request, state police in Southbury organized a meeting about the release.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Pomperaug High School. Troopers, state probations officials, state lawmakers and local politicians are expected to attend.

Pollitt is expected to move in with his sister's family in Southbury on Friday. He'll be under some of the strictest probation regulations in the country.

State lawmakers and local officials tried Wednesday to get state government officials to intervene and stop Pollitt's move to town, but were unsuccessful.

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