SAN DIEGO -- A sexually violent predator seeking his release from a state mental hospital testified Friday in a San Diego Superior courtroom.

Douglas Badger, 63, has a 20-year history of sexually assaulting male hitchhikers at gunpoint. He has petitioned the court to grant his release into San Diego County after eight years of treatment at a state hospital.

"My anger led me to do things. I had a mental illness and schizophrenia. I learned about these various illnesses that were affecting my life," Badger said.

He also described to the court how he would choose his victims.

"When I picked up hitchhikers, I had developed a ritual that I went through -- that developed into a serial behavior. In 1964 through 1974, I picked up about 450 to 500 people and I asked them if they wanted to have sex for money. If they did, I would take them, the hitchhikers, into gas stations," Badger said.

After the civil trial, Judge David Gill will decide if Badger should be placed into the community on an outpatient basis with strict supervision.

Badger, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and sexual sadism, served his criminal sentences before being sent to Atascadero.

Badger was set to be released in July, but a different judge rescinded the order when it was revealed that one of Badger's psychologists had an affair with another sexually violent predator.