Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a man suspected of 13 murders statewide, including six on the Central and South Coasts.
Joseph James DeAngelo is charged with a huge wave of killings, sexual assaults and burglaries in the 1970s and 80s. The crimes attributed to a figure that became known as the Golden State Killer included four murders in Santa Barbara County and two killings in Ventura County.
The Golden State Killer was also linked to more than 50 sexual assaults and 100 burglaries.
District Attorneys in Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Orange, and Ventura Counties announced they have opted to seek the death penalty for the 73 year old man, even though California Governor Gavin Newsom has imposed a moratorium on executions.
