Prosecutors working on plea deal in Golden State Killer cold case in California
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Prosecutors are expected to strike a plea deal this month in the notorious Golden State Killer rape and murder case to avoid a death penalty trial, according to reports.
DNA and genetic genealogy led to the 2018 arrest of ex-cop Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., 74, as the violent rapist and killer who terrorized dozens of women in northern California from 1975 to 1986. It was the first time the novel crime-fighting technique was used to solve a cold case.
DeAngelo is expected to cop to multiple charges, including rape and murder, on June 29 in exchange for a prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}LAWYERS FOR ALLEGED GOLDEN STATE KILLER SAY HE WILL PLEAD GUILTY IF DEATH PENALTY IS TAKEN OFF TABLE
The sentencing will take place in August after surviving victims and relatives of those killed confront him in court.
“We are so totally supportive of the death penalty and yet we are totally supportive of this decision to let the Golden State Killer plead to life without possibility of parole," said Ron Harrington. His younger brother, Keith, and new sister-in-law, Patti, were beaten to death in their Orange County home in August 1980.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Almost 40 years have passed and literally some of the victims have passed away. There are foundational issues from an evidentiary standpoint,” he explained. "You’ve got victims who have now passed away, how are they going to testify?”
DeAngelo sought the plea to avoid facing a death sentence if convicted at trial, Fox 40 Sacramento reported Monday.
A source told the station DeAngelo will “admit guilt” to 62 charges, including rapes that were past the statute of limitations.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}GOLDEN STATE KILLER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA
Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said in a statement prosecutors assigned to the DeAngelo prosecution in six counties were “working closely with the victims in this case to ensure their statements are considered by the Court prior to sentencing,” according to Fox 40.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DNA from a Golden State Killer crime scene was uploaded to the public genealogy website GedMatch. That led genealogists to a relative of DeAngelo's who had submitted DNA to the website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.