Joseph James DeAngelo appeared in Sacramento Superior Court today before Judge Michael Sweet. DeAngelo’s predicament became much more severe, as he was arraigned on a total of thirteen counts of murder (many with special enhancements) and thirteen counts of kidnapping with intent to commit robbery.
There were extra guards at the courthouse today, presumably because of the high profile of this case and because so many officials from so many different jurisdictions were in attendance.
DeAngelo appeared in the courtroom, standing of his own volition (unlike the first few appearances where he was confined to a wheelchair). He heard the charges against him, and did not enter a plea.
Before the court appearance today, it was announced that the prosecution will not be seeking indictment by grand jury, but instead will be presenting evidence at a series of preliminary hearings. A grand jury phase is usually “secret” in the sense that the defendant isn’t part of the process — he/she is simply informed of the results. During a preliminary hearing, the prosecution will present evidence and witnesses to the defense, who will then be offered a chance to cross-examine.
Several district attorneys involved in the case were present in the courtroom today, and members of the public were allowed to attend. In the gallery were several survivors, family members, and witnesses who will be participating in the upcoming series of preliminary hearings. Clearly very distressed and emotional during the hearing, many of them gave interviews to the media at the conclusion of court business.
To summarize the homicide charges against DeAngelo, he’s accused of the following:
1) The September 11th, 1975 murder of Claude Snelling in Visalia, California (part of Tulare County).
2) The February 2nd, 1978 murder of Katie Maggiore in Sacramento.
3) The February 2nd, 1978 murder of Brian Maggiore in Sacramento.
4) The December 30th, 1979 murder of Debra Alexandria Manning in Santa Barbara County. Special circumstances attached to this charge include murder during the commission or attempted commission of rape and murder during commission of burglary.
5) The December 30th, 1979 murder of Robert Offerman in Santa Barbara County. This charge carries with it the enhancement of murder during the commission of burglary.
6) The July 27th, 1981 murder of Cheri Domingo in Santa Barbara county. Murder during commission of rape and murder during commission of burglary is added to this charge.
7) The July 27th, 1981 murder of Greg Sanchez in Santa Barbara County, along with the special circumstance of murder during commission of burglary.
8) The March 1980 murder of Charlene Smith in Ventura County, along with the special enhancement of murder during commission of rape and murder during commission of burglary.
9) The March 1980 murder of Lyman Smith in Ventura, along with murder during commission of burglary.
10) The August 21st, 1980 murder of Patrice Harrington in Orange County. Special circumstances include murder during commission of rape and murder during commission of burglary.
11) The August 21st, 1980 murder of Keith Harrington in Orange County, enhanced by murder during commission of burglary.
12) The February 6th, 1981 murder of Manuela Witthuhn in Orange County, along with the special circumstances of murder during commission of rape, murder during commission of burglary, and murder during commission of robbery.
13) The May 5th, 1986 murder of Janelle Cruz in Orange County, along with the special circumstance of murder during commission of rape and murder during commission of burglary.
In addition, a special circumstance of “multiple murder” has been added to the previous charges that occurred in Northern and Southern California.
Joseph James DeAngelo’s next thirteen counts are kidnapping with intent to rob. They include:
14) EAR Attack #4 on September 4th, 1976, which took place on Crestview Drive in Carmichael. A twenty-nine-year-old was doing her laundry alone at her parents house when the EAR punched her, broke her nose, dragged her into the house, and sexually assaulted her. At the end of what was one of his most brutal assaults in the history of his crimes, he stole her car and abandoned it a quarter mile away from the scene.
15) EAR Attack #16 on April 2nd, 1977, which took place on Richdale Way in Orangevale. This was the first known assault on couples in the GSK series. As was typical of his attacks on couples, he left the male victim bound in the bedroom and moved the female to the living room. Up until this attack, he’d been targeting lone women or groups of women. It’s the movement of the woman through the house, in addition to the money stolen, that triggers the “kidnap to rob” charge.
16) EAR Attack #17 on April 15th, 1977, which took place on Cherrelyn Way in Carmichael. In an attack very similar to the previous one, the EAR moved the female victim and stole items from the house.
17) EAR Attack #18 on May 3rd, 1977, which took place on La Riviera Drive, Sacramento. Again, the attack was very similar to the other EAR attacks on couples.
18) EAR Attack #20 on May 14th, 1977, which took place on Merlindale Drive in Citrus Heights.
19) EAR Attack #21 on May 17th, 1977, which took place on Sandbar Circle in Carmichael. This is the one where the “Italian family” was attacked. The man had stood up at the community meeting several months before.
20) EAR Attack #22 on May 28th, 1977, which took place on 4th Parkway in South Sacramento.
21) EAR Attack #24 on October 1st, 1977, which took place on Tuolumne Drive in Sacramento. This is the attack discussed by the male victim, Victor Hayes, in a recent article and video.
22) EAR Attack #25 on October 21st, 1977, which took place on Golden Run Avenue in Foothill Farms.
23) EAR Attack #37 on October 7th, 1978, which took place on Belann Court in Concord. This was the first attack in Contra Costa County.
24) EAR Attack #38 on October 13th, 1978, which took place on Ryan Road in Concord.
25) A DNA-connected attack. This was EAR Attack #39, which took place on October 28th, 1978 on Montclair Place.
26) Another DNA-connected attack. This was EAR Attack #46, which took place on June 11th, 1979 on Allegheny Drive in Danville.
In addition to the kidnapping to commit robbery charge, it’s also alleged that DeAngelo used a firearm as a control weapon in those cases.
No further business was conducted today, other than the prosecution suggesting an inquiry as to whether DeAngelo could afford his own attorneys or if he has to stick with public defenders. The defense has also indicated that they object to capital punishment, and intend to discuss that with the court at a future date.
The next court date is slated for December 6th, 2018, though that’s subject to change.