Follow this thread for the latest on today’s #GoldenStateKiller hearing, where Joseph DeAngelo is expected to plead guilty to dozens of rape and murder charges in California.
The hearing is being held in Sac State’s ballroom to accommodate spectators/media + social distancing.
The hearing is being held in Sac State’s ballroom to accommodate spectators/media + social distancing.
DeAngelo is brought into the hearing room in a wheelchair, wearing a face shield.
Judge just called the hearing to order.
Judge just called the hearing to order.
DEAL JUST ANNOUNCED: DeAngelo will plead guilty to all charges, including 13 counts of first degree murder.
He will also plead guilty to dozens of uncharged crimes in counties including Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, Contra Costa.
He will also plead guilty to dozens of uncharged crimes in counties including Sacramento, Yolo, San Joaquin, Contra Costa.
These counties will not charge him for those counts in exchange for the admission of guilt.
CA will not pursue death penalty.
DeAngelo will receive life in prison 2 dozen+ times over.
CA will not pursue death penalty.
DeAngelo will receive life in prison 2 dozen+ times over.
Prosecution offers justification for deal:
Many of the victims, witnesses and law enforcement personnel have passed away.
Surviving victims and families have been waiting years for justice.
Someone from the crowd: "40 years."
The trial would have also cost an estimated $20M
Many of the victims, witnesses and law enforcement personnel have passed away.
Surviving victims and families have been waiting years for justice.
Someone from the crowd: "40 years."
The trial would have also cost an estimated $20M
Prosecution says COVID has also played a role in decision for deal.
Courts have been closed or limited for months, and orchestrating a trial during the pandemic would've been immensely complex--and dangerous for elderly/vulnerable participants and spectators.
Courts have been closed or limited for months, and orchestrating a trial during the pandemic would've been immensely complex--and dangerous for elderly/vulnerable participants and spectators.
Judge reading off the rights that DeAngelo is waiving in exchange for the guilty plea.
DeAngelo responding to each prompt with a simple "yes" or "no" in a feeble voice.
DeAngelo responding to each prompt with a simple "yes" or "no" in a feeble voice.
Prosecution now giving scope of DeAngelo's decade-plus long spree of violent crimes across California, including 13 murders and nearly 50 rapes.
"Each time he escaped…leaving communities terrified for years."
"Each time he escaped…leaving communities terrified for years."
DeAngelo for the first time in the hearing utters "guilty" in response to the killing of Claude Snelling in 1975.
He also admitted guilt to kidnapping/attempted rape of Beth Snelling, daughter of Claude.
He also admitted guilt to kidnapping/attempted rape of Beth Snelling, daughter of Claude.
Santa Barbara Co prosecutor says in 1979 DeAngelo broke into Goleta home with intent to rape/kill Debra Manning and kill Robert Offerman.
Prosecutor describes in excruciating detail the crimes that night, and then how...
Prosecutor describes in excruciating detail the crimes that night, and then how...
...DeAngelo rummaged through the fridge and ate leftover turkey.
Eating victims' food became a signature of the break-ins/rapes/murders committed by the Golden State Killer.
DeAngelo pleads guilty to these crimes.
Eating victims' food became a signature of the break-ins/rapes/murders committed by the Golden State Killer.
DeAngelo pleads guilty to these crimes.
Santa Barbara Co prosecutor describes additional gruesome crimes committed against Greg Sanchez and Cheri Domingo.
DeAngelo's DNA matched sample from crime scene.
DeAngelo admits guilt to these crimes.
DeAngelo's DNA matched sample from crime scene.
DeAngelo admits guilt to these crimes.
Ventura County prosecution speaking at the podium.
Describes the murder/rape charges in the case of Lyman and Charlene Smith, which occurred in 1980
DNA from crime scene matched DeAngelo's.
DeAngelo pleads guilty to these charges.
Describes the murder/rape charges in the case of Lyman and Charlene Smith, which occurred in 1980
DNA from crime scene matched DeAngelo's.
DeAngelo pleads guilty to these charges.
Judge calls planned recess. DeAngelo wheeled out of hearing room. 
Note: prosecutors are using stark, detailed language to describe the gruesome crimes committed.
On this thread I will be describing the crimes in basic language reflecting the victims, charges and dates.
The specific details are disturbing period, and potentially triggering...
On this thread I will be describing the crimes in basic language reflecting the victims, charges and dates.
The specific details are disturbing period, and potentially triggering...
...for some who may be casually perusing twitter.
The details of these crimes are easily accessible through an abundance of reporting on the topic, for anyone looking for additional details.
The details of these crimes are easily accessible through an abundance of reporting on the topic, for anyone looking for additional details.
Hearing back in session.
DeAngelo admits guilt to murder and rape charges from 1978 in Contra Costa County.
DeAngelo admits guilt to murder and rape charges from 1978 in Contra Costa County.
During the break, I spoke to Gay Hardwick, who survived a sexual assault at the hands of the Golden State Killer in 1978.
“It's the best outcome we could have hoped for under the circumstances...but there isn't any justice, because all of us here today who are survivors...
“It's the best outcome we could have hoped for under the circumstances...but there isn't any justice, because all of us here today who are survivors...
...we've already served a full life sentence of over 40 years, which D'Angelo will never serve because of his age.”
I also spoke to Jane Carson-Sandler, the Golden State Killer's 5th rape victim, who survived an attack in 1976.
“44 years I've waited to hear him plead guilty. That's a long time, 44 years. But I went from being a victim to a survivor to a thriver.”
“44 years I've waited to hear him plead guilty. That's a long time, 44 years. But I went from being a victim to a survivor to a thriver.”
Hearing is in recess for lunch. Will resume around 1:30.
Hearing has resumed.
Orange County prosecutor reading off crimes alleged against DeAngelo.
DeAngelo pleading guilty to each crime read off, including so far the murder of Keith Harrington, murder/rape of Patrice Harrington, and murder/rape Janelle Cruz.
Orange County prosecutor reading off crimes alleged against DeAngelo.
DeAngelo pleading guilty to each crime read off, including so far the murder of Keith Harrington, murder/rape of Patrice Harrington, and murder/rape Janelle Cruz.
The hearing just wrapped.
Case set for judgement and sentencing in August.
Case set for judgement and sentencing in August.
