He terrorized California 40 years ago, before spending peaceful days as a father, until his arrest in 2018 in Sacramento. On Friday, the "Golden state killer" Joseph DeAngelo was sentenced to eleven consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of release, plus a life sentence and another of 8 years, for 13 murders and as many rapes committed in the 1970s-80s. "He does not deserve any mercy," ruled the judge.
In total, DeAngelo admitted 13 murders and having raped more than 50 women - most of them were statute-barred, but the prosecutor was able to indict him for 13 rapes accompanied by "kidnapping", with victims often attacked and tied up in their homes. Aged 74, he had pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
"I am deeply sorry"
It is a genetic genealogy site that has enabled investigators to resolve this “cold case” which had been at a standstill since 1986. In 2016, thanks to DNA traces taken from crime scenes, the FBI created a profile on GEDmatch , a site for finding family members who have also shared their genetic information. Investigators then traced the family tree to a suspect living in the suburbs of Sacramento, and they obtained a "match" with DNA traces taken from his trash cans.
Here is Joseph DeAngelo delivering brief remarks to the victims before his formal sentencing.
“I've listened to all your statements. Each one of them. And I am truly sorry to everyone I've hurt. ”# GoldenStateKiller #EastAreaRapist pic.twitter.com/39b9rGVJ8Z
Before the verdict was announced, Joseph DeAngelo made a statement for the first time from the trial. Sitting in a wheelchair until then, he stood up straight like a soldier - he served in Vietnam - and, in a firm voice, he apologized to the families of the victims: “I listened. each of your statements, and I am deeply sorry. He did not, however, offer any explanation for his actions.
World
California: "Golden State killer" recognizes 13 murders and dozens of rapes
World
California: "Golden State killer" recognizes 13 murders and dozens of rapes
- World
- Serial killer
- California
- United States
- Murder