California

Golden State Killer Suspect's Defense to Motion to Unseal Search Warrants

What to Know

  • The FBI said the "Golden State Killer" is responsible for approximately 45 rapes, 12 homicides, and multiple residential burglaries
  • Investigators used information gleaned from an online DNA-testing site to narrow down their search
  • This week, police arrested their suspect: a 72-year-old former police officer, who was arraigned on 2 murder charges Friday

The man accused of being the Golden State Killer will make an unscheduled appearance in court Wednesday.

Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, accused of terrorizing suburban California neighborhoods in a spate of brutal rapes and slayings in the 1970s and '80s, will appear in Sacramento Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. for a hearing to discuss unsealing the case's search warrants, according to the District Attorney's office.

DeAngelo made his first court appearance last week. He was handcuffed to a wheelchair in orange jail scrubs. He looked dazed and spoke in a faint voice to acknowledge he was represented by a public defender. He did not enter a plea.

DeAngelo's next scheduled court appearance is May 14.

Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones has said DeAngelo was in a psychiatric ward of the county jail and has said little. Jones says there's been "quiet reflection" and mumbling.

DeAngelo was charged with eight counts of murder in three counties after being linked to the crimes through his DNA. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office on Thursday confirmed a relative's DNA on genealogy websites helped them track down DeAngelo.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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