August 21st, 2020: Joseph DeAngelo Sentenced in Sacramento

DeAngelo has been sentenced to the absolute maximum penalty allowed by law: 11 consecutive “Life Without Possibility of Parole” sentences and several more years added for additional charges and enhancements.

Joseph James DeAngelo, Jr. will never get out of prison.

On August 21st, 2020, Department 24 was called to session in a makeshift courtroom set up at Sacramento State University (a remote venue used to accommodate pandemic measures for a larger gallery). DeAngelo and the defense team were positioned to face Judge Michael Bowman rather than the people in attendance – a request the judge made so that he could talk directly to DeAngelo during the proceedings.

DeAngelo was present, as were defense attorneys Joseph Cress, Alice Michel, and Diane Howard. Present for the People were:

Anne Marie Schubert (DA of Sacramento County)
Greg Totten (DA of Ventura County)
Todd Spitzer (DA of Orange County)
Diana Becton (DA of Contra Costa County)
Joyce Dudley (DA of Santa Barbara County)
Tim Ward (DA of Tulare County)
Nancy O’Malley (DA of Alameda County)
Tori Salazar (DA of San Joaquin County)

Judge Bowman began by reading the 26 charges that DeAngelo plead guilty to (and the admissions related to those charges). Other admissions for crimes past the statute of limitations were not part of the proceedings, but they were considered in the judge’s sentence as he weighed the overall facts of the case.

The district attorneys with chargeable offenses were allowed to speak to the court.

Diana Becton, DA for Contra Costa County, focused on the victims by reading quotes from the victim impact statements. She also thanked Victim witness advocates, attorneys, and thanked investigator Paul Holes by name.

Todd Spitzer, DA for Orange County, thanked Judge Bowman for his handling of the case and the leeway he provided the prosecutors and victims. He also thanked several members of his team, including Deborah Lloyd (prosecutor), Dennis Conway, Pat Dixon, Erika Hutchcraft, Investigator Doyle, and law clerk Rebecca. Spitzer noted how DeAngelo destroyed so many lives, but he was able to live his own life: he was able to “be on his boat” and “blow out birthday candles with his family.”

Joyce Dudley, DA for Santa Barbara County, discussed some of the cases she’d prosecuted in her career and how her perceptions of victims changed. She hoped that victims in the Golden State Killer case are able to finally focus on their loved ones.

Tim Ward, DA for Tulare County, discussed how the victims and families of other cold cases can now see that there’s hope for their own cases. “Now they know to never give up.” “The space for evil like this to operate grows smaller and smaller” thanks to advancing technology. After this case remained unsolved for 45 years, he felt that the voice of hope was the “true legacy” of this case. His compliments of Judge Bowman’s demeanor were echoed by those in the gallery.

Greg Totten, DA for Ventura County, spoke about DeAngelo’s lack of remorse and avoidance of the light. He hoped that the victims can now feel a sense of purpose and life because everyone did the best they could to deliver justice in this case.

Anne Marie Schubert, DA for Sacramento County, repeated how proud she was of the team. She thanked the defense team for the professionalism and thanked the judge for his “dignity and grace.” She also spoke about the EAR’s effect on individuals in the community and how the greatest revenge against DeAngelo is for the victims to live their lives. As a callback to the victim impact statements, she said “Paint your children and your grandchildren’s rooms again with hearts and rainbows. Water ski again.”

Schubert also addressed DeAngelo. “There is honestly little left to say. Your name will fade form the headlines.” She also vowed that he will never be allowed to “manipulate” or “deceive” the Department of Corrections into thinking that he’s a feeble old man and somehow deserves better. The courtroom applauded this. As a final callback to the victim impact statements, she quoted Kris Pedretti: “Mr. DeAngelo, there is no prayer strong enough to save you.” The courtroom applauded again.

After a short break, Judge Bowman asked if the defense wished to be heard. They affirmed that they did.

Defense attorney Alice Michel explained that there was nothing they could say to take away the pain DeAngelo had caused. She affirmed that the defense had heard the victims, seen them, and the team acknowledged their pain and suffering. She said that the team hopes that by admitting to the offenses, DeAngelo has offered some semblance of peace.

Brief statements from family members of DeAngelo were then read to the court. The defense team was emphatic that the statements were not read to excuse or justify his actions or to cause any further pain to the victims. They also asked the public and media to please respect his family’s privacy. “They are innocent.”

A statement from DeAngelo’s sister (read by Michel) described a history of “mental and physical” abuse that occurred early in their lives and placed part of the blame on their father. “Joe faced many things and I’m sure he couldn’t cope with it all. It will never justify what happened.” She also expressed her “deepest sympathy to all victims and survivors.”

A statement from DeAngelo’s niece (read by Michel) described her relationship with Joseph as one that was considerably better than the one she had with her father.

A statement from DeAngelo’s friend (read by defense attorney Joseph Cress) described the close relationship DeAngelo had with the friend’s family and some of the hardships that DeAngelo faced early in his life.

A statement from another niece (read by Cress) expressed sympathy and to all of the victims. The statement discussed DeAngelo engaging in normal family activities. :There is someone else inside of him who I do not know.” “I’m very sorry to the victims. I can’t imagine what they went through.”

Note: We will link to these statements once the full text of this week’s Victim Impact Statements has been posted.

At that point, Joseph DeAngelo himself was offered an opportunity to address the court. DeAngelo rose from his wheelchair with ease, blasting away any remnants of speculation that he was ill or infirm. Members of the gallery who had brought signs thrusted them into the air for him to see. DeAngelo turned to the judge and slightly to the gallery, paused for a few moments, and removed his COVID-19 mask with nuances that will be no doubt become a case study for body language experts. After another pause, he spoke in a voice that was much clearer and stronger than the “put-on” voice he’d used in court for the past two and a half years:

“I’ve listened to all of your statements. Each one of ’em. And I’m truly sorry to everyone I’ve hurt. Thank you, your honor.”

The Judge Bowman thanked him and moved on to the final stage of the court session: the imposition of sentence. Judge Bowman described how he’d considered all of the comments, facts, and circumstances of the case. After officially approving the plea bargain to remove the death penalty, he clarified that the court was not saying that DeAngelo did not deserve the death penalty.

Judge Bowman also offered a few comments, though he mentioned that he typically does not do so. He referred to the Victim Impact Statements, saying: “Their impact statements will always be with me. I was moved by their grace… qualities you clearly lack” (referring to DeAngelo). He applauded the efforts of everyone who had helped with the case. He also described some of the thoughts he had throughout the hearings that he presided over, such as wondering what DeAngelo was thinking and wondering if he was “comprehending the anguish [he’d] caused.”

Then, the DeAngelo’s sentencing:

The charges from 1979 and beyond resulted in sentences of Life Without Possibility of Parole (“LWOP”). Years were added for murder during the commission of rape, murder during the commission of burglary, and weapons enhancements. This totaled to 11 LWOP charges and additional years.

The charges before 1979 resulted in life sentences. Charge enhancements for the use of a weapon added additional years. While technically the minimum parole eligibility for these particular charges is seven years and not less than five years, DeAngelo will never be paroled because of the LWOP sentences.

Some of the sentences will be served concurrently, but the harsher ones will be served consecutively.

DeAngelo was sentenced to the maximum possible terms under the rule of law. He will never get out of prison.

The court also discussed restitution. Because the relevant laws were not in place until 1985, the 1986 murder of Janelle Cruz is the only one enforceable as a civil judgment. Under law, the fine was increased to $10,000 for the conviction of a felony since 1985. Judge Bowman imposed the maximum amount. DeAngelo will be entitled to a hearing related to this at some point.

DeAngelo must register as a sex offender, submit to an AIDS test, provide thumb and palm prints, provide DNA, and cannot possess firearms. Under the plea agreement, he has no rights to appeal his sentence.

Joseph DeAngelo was then remanded to the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office to eventually be placed in prison to serve out the remainder of his life.

As court was adjourned, the gallery applauded.

A press conference was held a few minutes after court was adjourned. Several of the district attorneys spoke and took questions from the press.

Anne Marie Schubert, DA of Sacramento County, played video clips (the ones discussed on the August 17th hearing) for the audience. The intent was to show that DeAngelo was not “feeble” and still possessed “dexterity.” The clips showed DeAngelo exercising, lifting off of his bunk to put something on the light in his cell to darken it, and scrubbing the perimeter of his cell with his foot.

Todd Spitzer, DA of Orange County, acknowledged Drew Witthuhn (brother of murder victim Manuela Witthuhn), who had been a police officer in Garden Grove for 20 years. Spitzer emphasized that DeAngelo’s apology “was a fake,” and noted that the resolution of this case “has been one of the proudest moments in [his] career as a prosecutor.”

Joyce Dudley from Santa Barbara acknowledged “Fred” (a law enforcement officer who had worked the case for 35 years) and thanked Anne Marie Schubert. The audience gave DA Schubert a round of applause.

Tori Salazar, DA from San Joaquin County, did not have a chance to speak in court. She spoke at the press conference about how the victims in this case give “power” to the high percentage of sexual assault victims who do not report the crimes committed against them. “You know what a hero looks like. You know what courage looks like.” She also acknowledged DA Schubert, saying that she “deserves an award for her leadership and what she’s done.” The audience applauded again.

Nancy O’Malley, DA from Alameda County, also did not have a chance to speak in court. At the press conference, she described how she was a victim advocate back when the crimes were happening. She echoed the pride and appreciation for how everyone “banded together” to solved the crime, and spoke to DA Salazar’s comments about the challenges that victims face in sexual assault cases.

Several questions were asked at the conclusion of the prepared remarks. The first one was a question about whether investigators know why he picked certain communities.

Anne Marie Schubert answered that we may never know. Greg Totten, DA of Ventura County, added that even if DeAngelo would explain some of his behaviors, his office would have “no confidence in anything this predator would say about why he engaged in this conduct.” Schubert followed this with a reminder that he was “blowing up animals” and learning how to burglarize homes even as a young teen.

Rowena Shaddox from Fox40 asked if there were any more rapes and murders that could be associated with him. DA Schubert answered that we may never know every crime that DeAngelo committed.

Paige St. John from the LA Times asked two questions about whether there was enough evidence to convict DeAngelo if the DNA evidence had somehow been ruled inadmissible at trial. DA Schubert acknowledged that DNA was the “star” of the case, but that “everything fell in line.” She also noted that cases solved with this method have already reached resolution. DA Todd Spitzer discussed the impact statement given by Bruce and Ron Harrington and how Investigative Genetic Genealogy has resulted in 93 solved cases. He remarked the DNA “solved this case.”

Sharon Bernstein from Reuters asked about crimes that might have occurred in the late 1980s. DA Schubert repeated that we may never know, and wondered if the introduction of forensic DNA in 1986 was a factor in DeAngelo possibly stopping.

Madison Wade from ABC10 asked about evidence taken from DeAngelo’s home. DA Schubert said that the evidence related to that is “still sealed.”

A question was asked seeking comments about DeAngelo apologizing to the victims. DA Spitzer summed up his earlier remarks: “It was all BS.” The audience applauded.

Tony Cabrera from ABC7 asked when DeAngelo will be transferred to prison and which facility he might end up in. DA Totten described the challenges of placing prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that DeAngelo will be a Level IV prisoner (a violent offender with a long sentence), and the California Department of Corrections will eventually place him in a Level IV (highest security) facility.

The press conference was concluded.

Joseph DeAngelo has been identified, arrested, convicted, and sentenced. This landmark portion of the Visalia Ransacker, East Area Rapist, Original Night Stalker, and Golden State Killer case is over.

It is our sincere hope that with DeAngelo sent away to prison for the rest of his life, the damage he did to this world can begin to fade. We wish brighter futures for everyone affected by these crimes.

Thank you for reading. We hope that this blog has provided folks with the updates and information that they needed throughout this journey. We’ll post updates if any significant developments occur.

Thank you to everyone who made a resolution in this case possible.