April 23rd, 2018
A DNA test comes back matching Joseph James DeAngelo to the DNA profile of the East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer.
An arrest warrant, roughly forty pages long, is quickly written and signed by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White.
A search warrant is also drawn up.
April 24th, 2018
Joseph DeAngelo is arrested at his Citrus Height home in the afternoon.
Sacramento County charges Joseph DeAngelo with two counts of murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders. The charges are for the murder of Brian and Katie Maggiore in February 1978.
Ventura County files charges against Joseph DeAngelo for the March 1980 murders of Lyman and Charlene Smith. The charges carry the special circumstances of multiple murders, burglary, and rape.
April 25th, 2018
At about 2:30 AM, Joseph DeAngelo has gone through the booking process and is placed in jail. The documents related to his arrest are sealed.
A press conference is held announcing his capture.
Orange County files four murder charges (with several special circumstances) against Joseph DeAngelo. The charges are for the murders of Keith and Patrice Harrington in August 1980, the murder of Manuela Witthuhn in February 1981, and the murder of Janelle Cruz in May 1986.
April 27th, 2018
Joseph DeAngelo is arraigned in Sacramento County on murder charges related to the February 1978 homicides of Brian and Katie Maggiore and is informed of the charges in Ventura County. No plea is entered.
May 1st, 2018
Several media companies (including the LA Times, SF Chronicle, and the Associated Press) file a motion to unseal the arrest and search warrant affidavits due to “substantial public interest.”
May 2nd, 2018
DeAngelo’s attorney asks the court to prevent the prosecution from taking further DNA samples, fingerprints, or body photographs from DeAngelo. A court date is set for the next day to allow discussion and provide a ruling.
May 3rd, 2018
At a brief morning hearing, the judge rules that investigators will be allowed to collect additional samples of DNA from Joseph DeAngelo and that they’re allowed to take photographs of his body, as well as any additional prints.
May 10th, 2018
Santa Barbara County charges Joseph DeAngelo with first-degree murder in the deaths of Robert Offerman, Debra Manning, Cheri Domingo, and Gregory Sanchez. Special circumstances are also included (intent or commission of rape, burglary, and use of a firearm).
May 14th, 2018
DeAngelo appears before Judge Michael Sweet. For the first time he was without a wheelchair and stood on his own. Discussion took place related to whether the arrest warrant or search warrant should be unsealed. The defense informed the judge that they haven’t had time to review the list of items taken from DeAngelo’s home, and the judge granted a continuance.
May 29th, 2018
Joseph DeAngelo stood before Judge Michael Sweet in Sacramento to fight a motion to unseal his arrest and search warrants. This hearing the first one since April to allow news cameras. After hearing arguments for about an hour, the judge cleared the courtroom to examine the documents in private. By the end of the day it was clear that no decision would be reached, and a continuance was granted for Thursday.
May 31st, 2018
A closed-door hearing was held in regards to the redaction and release of the arrest/search warrants. It’s assumed that various granular details of the warrants were discussed. The defendant, Joseph DeAngelo, was not in attendance. At the end of the session, a continuance was granted and a new court date was set for Friday.