FACING THE BOOGEYMAN
Golden State Killer victims recount horror at his hands
VICTIMS of the Golden State Killer called him an “evil monster” as the ex-policeman appeared before them at his sentencing hearing.
Joseph DeAngelo sat impassively in a mask and orange jumpsuit as those who survived his 45-year murderous reign described, in detail, the horrors he inflicted upon them.
In June, the 74-year-old admitted 13 counts of murder, 13 of kidnap, and a further 161 uncharged crimes – including many rapes – which happened too long ago to prosecute.
All told, he admitted attacking 87 people at 53 crime scenes spanning 11 California counties in a plea deal that spared him the death penalty.
Ahead of his sentencing tomorrow, victims told Sacramento County Superior Court how he subjected them to hours of torture.
Rape survivor Patricia Murphy said the attack on her in 1976 when she was 29 forever changed her.
“He and his knife had complete control over me for two hours,” she said in a statement read by her daughter, Patti Cosper. “He truly is an evil monster with no soul.”
Pete Schultz said the “monster” carried out “horrific acts against our mother while she was tied and blindfolded.”
Schultz, who was tied to a bed at age 11, while his seven-year-old sister was locked in her room as mum Wini was attacked, said: “The Boogeyman is gone”.
Kris Pedretti was 15 when DeAngelo raped her, as was Peggy Frink from Sacramento.
Kris said: “He told me over and over again he would kill me and I believed him,” she said. “Next morning, I woke up knowing I would never be a child again and, although I was truly grateful to be alive, I also felt I had died.”
Sandy James told how her sister, Deborah Strouse “went to her grave, still haunted by the evil monster” who raped her.
More statements will be heard today.