40-Year-Old Cold Case Serial Killer 'Golden State Killer' Finally Admits to Crimes

by Na Juseok

Published 30 Jun.2020 11:19(KST)

Joseph James DeAngelo Admits to 13 Murders
Court Expected to Deliver Verdict Around August

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Joseph James DeAngelo, widely known by the nickname 'Golden State (California) Killer,' has pleaded guilty. The person who terrorized the California area in the 1970s and 1980s finally confessed to the crimes in court.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 29th (local time), DeAngelo admitted to 13 counts of murder at the Sacramento court in California. Due to the statute of limitations, he was not charged with 13 kidnapping crimes and more than 50 sexual assaults. He committed crimes including serial murders across California from 1975 to 1986. Despite his brutal methods, the U.S. police were unable to arrest the culprit for over 40 years due to lack of evidence.

It was particularly shocking to learn that he was a police officer at the time of his first crime. When questioned by the prosecutor about the murders, he answered "guilty," and also admitted to other crimes such as sexual assault. It is known that DeAngelo agreed to plead guilty on the condition that he would avoid the death penalty. U.S. media reported that the reason he avoided the death penalty was because the case was so old that proving the crimes was difficult.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The trial was unusually held at Sacramento State University. This was to allow about 150 victims and their families to attend the trial while maintaining social distancing. DeAngelo appeared in a wheelchair wearing a transparent plastic face shield.

DeAngelo was arrested in 2018. DNA analysis technology played a decisive role in his arrest.

The prosecutor said, "The victims who survived the crimes have lived with trauma for a long time," and added, "The victims want not only DeAngelo to be prosecuted but also to be punished by law and sentenced to death."