Exclusive: Golden State Killer suspect DeAngelo could plead guilty, avoid death penalty

[RhodeIslandOne]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: The Sacramento Bee

Lawyers in the Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist case believe they have reached a deal under which suspect Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. will plead guilty to 88 murder, rape and other charges at a June 29 hearing and avoid a death penalty trial with a life sentence imposed instead, four sources have told The Sacramento Bee.

Details of the agreement, which has not been formalized in court documents filed in the case, still are being worked out, as is the final decision on where the hearing will take place.

Hearings in the case to date have been held in a cramped courtroom on the first floor of the Sacramento County Main Jail that can accommodate only several dozen people.

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article243547517.html#storylink=cpy

Read more: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article243547517.html

[still_one]

1. Newsom has halted all death penalties in California

[RhodeIslandOne]

2. If anyone deserves it, it's this piece of trash.

Former cop, too.

[still_one]

6. I agree

[warmfeet]

3. I, personally, do not approve of the death penalty. Not ever.

The state has no business taking the life of an individual.

It certainly has the right to keep the public safe, however.

Life in prison, segregated from society, seems most appropriate.

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. I agree

For a reason most people don't mention. The death penalty process is incredibly expensive, usually more expensive than just incarcerating the murderer in the general population. Having the death penalty on the table drags out the initial trial. Criminals who get the death penalty get an automatic appeal, and the average time of incarceration through the appeals process is 16 YEARS. Maintaining a death row, with extra guards, is expensive. It simply makes no sense to me when a life sentence with no chance of parole is its own special kind of hell.

[greenjar_01]

4. He'd be more comfortable in a state prison unit classified for his age and offender status

than he is in the Sacramento County jail. His lawyer probably convinced him of that.

[greenjar_01]

5. Word is he's going to confess to crimes he hasn't been formally linked to

I'd bet a couple in Visalia/ Exeter (Donna Richmond, Jennifer Armour), a couple in Auburn, and the Placer county PG&E killings.

And maybe a few shockers (Cecelia Shepherd?).

[RhodeIslandOne]

8. I know people are tempted to think he's The Zodiac

I don't think so, but boy that would be shocking.

[Xolodno]

9. There is dignity in death.

...and he doesn't deserve it.

[Omaha Steve]

10. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

The deal has not been formally reached, not yet important news.