Prosecutors say they want to do a careful review before deciding whether to seek the death penalty for the man accused of being the Golden State Killer, a serial killer blamed for 12 murders, including six on the South Coast.
He was a man on the surface who appeared to lead a quiet life, with a home in a Sacramento suburb, a longtime job, and no apparent run-ins with the law.
Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested this week for the string of crimes spanning 10 California counties in the 1970’s and 80’s. He’s been charged with two murders in Ventura, and is a suspect in four others in Goleta.
We’re learning more about the 72 year old man, who was arrested after a tip led detectives to gather DNA evidence. Investigators say the DNA matched some of the crimes.
DeAngelo was a police officer with two different small departments in the 1970’s, but was fired from the second job after a shoplifting conviction. He then worked for as a mechanic for a supermarket chain's warehouse for nearly three decades before recently retiring.
DeAngelo was married, and had grandchildren, although his wife was apparently not living with him. Neighbors say while they would sometimes hear him yelling at himself, his home was well kept, and he didn’t cause problems.
