Paul Holes Noticed Something Eerie in the Golden State Killer's House and More GSK News

Fans of the podcast "My Favorite Murder" got an extra special treat when Paul Holes showed up on this week's episode to discuss the Golden State Killer. Holes, who has gained a lot of admiration in true crime circles because of his work on the case, revealed that a towel caught his attention during a search of the GSK suspect's house. The towel was draped over a computer screen, similar to how GSK would drape a towel over the tv in his victims' homes while he committed his crimes. Holes wonders if Joseph James DeAngelo used the glow from the computer screen to recreate the glow from his crime scenes. He says that the GSK took souvenirs from his victims and that DeAngelo may have been admiring them still in his own home. He also believes that the wheelchair that DeAngelo appeared in during his first few court appearances was just an act and that officers tasked with surveilling him said he was very agile for a 72-year-old.

Since DeAngelo's arrest, more details about his life continue to come out from the people who thought they knew him. One disturbing detail is that he was living in Citrus Heights all this time, one of the communities that the GSK terrorized. He also served as a police officer in two different agencies, before he was fired after being caught shoplifting. Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones says that officials are looking into whether DeAngelo committed any of his crimes while on the job.

And speaking of different police agencies, the fact that the GSK committed his crimes in so many different jurisdictions was definitely a factor in why it took so long to capture him. As any true crime fan knows, different agencies can have strong rivalries with each other and may be reluctant to share what information they have about a case. Not only that but back in the GSK's heyday, there was really no infrastructure in place for different counties to share information and compare cases. And of course, DNA technology was several decades in the future.

Unfortunately, the longer it takes to capture a killer, the more time he has to terrorize additional victims. Sometimes those potential victims manage to escape. That's what happened to Charlene Davis when she came face to face with the Golden State Killer, or as he was known back then, the East Area Rapist. Davis tells her amazing story to the Sacramento News & Review, including how she had already escaped another possible killer in Tacoma, WA.



Comments

Post a Comment

Comments on this blog will be moderated. Slurs will not be tolerated. Lighthearted humor is welcome but any humor that demeans the victims and the marginalized is not.

Popular posts from this blog

Patton Oswalt to Discuss "I'll Be Gone In The Dark" in Sacramento and More True Crime Tidbits

True crime fans in Sacramento are in for a very special treat next week as Patton Oswalt is set to visit a Citrus Heights Barnes and Noble to discuss "I'll Be Gone In The Dark", written by his late wife Michelle McNamara. Oswalt has mentioned that he would love to sit down with Joseph James DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer, and ask him all of the questions that McNamara will never have the chance to ask. I think that would be amazing. If you're in the Toronto area, mark your calendars for the Toronto True Crime Film Festival on June 8th and June 9th. Five movies based on true crimes (including one of my favorites, Monster, starring Charlize Theron) will be screened and there will be three symposiums for discussion of the true crime genre. Sounds like a blast! If you'd prefer to Netflix and chill, the streaming service has got you covered in terms of true crime. These eight true crime shows are worthy of a rewatch if you've already seen them.
Read more

Golden State Killer Suspect Makes Another Court Appearance; Warrant Details Expected to be Released This Friday

As Joseph James DeAngelo made another court appearance on Tuesday, this time in a cage instead of a wheelchair, Judge Michael Sweet indicated that at least part of the court documents detailing how police identified DeAngelo as the GSK will be unsealed. The documents include a list of items, possibly trophies from GSK crime scenes, seized from DeAngelo's property. They also include notes from lead investigators. However, according to the defense, they do not include many details about the genealogical methods used to identify DeAngelo. While many investigative details are expected to be released to the public, both the prosecution and defense teams are reviewing the documents line by line in an effort to determine which parts should be redacted. All sides are reluctant to include names and other details identifying victims of GSK's many sexual assaults. The defense also has concerns about unsealed information affecting their client's chance at receiving a fair trial. How
Read more

Unsolved Murder Roundup

While the true crime community is celebrating, and rightfully so, the capture of the Golden State Killer, it looks like there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to clearing unsolved murders. The OC Register provided a breakdown of reported vs cleared homicides and surprisingly, given all the breakthroughs in technology, we've actually gotten worse at clearing cases. Hopefully, despite the grim statistics, the following cases and the victims involved will receive some justice. Navy veteran James Weaver was brutally murdered while babysitting his 9-month-old grandson. 33 years later, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is hoping that some new DNA submissions will lead to a break in the case. In April of last year, Alberto "Beto" Ruiz Jr. was murdered in what Greeley, CO police believe was a case of road rage. They and his family are hoping that someone will eventually come forward, if not the killer, then at least a witness who can identify the suspect'
Read more