SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Joseph DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer made an appearance in front of a packed court Thursday, although it was brief.
DeAngelo was shackled and escorted by two officers. He only spoke quietly to his attorneys before being ushered back out.
A continuance was issued for the trial of the Golden State Killer. Defense attorney Diane Howard said the reason for the continuance is because of the large quantity of evidence.
Investigators used DNA to connect DeAngelo to 13 murders and more than 50 rapes across California in the 1970s and 80s. According to Sacramento County Governmental Relations and Legislative Officer Natasha Drane, the trial is estimated to cost more than $20 million.
The first East Area Rapist attack was reported in June 1976.
Jennifer Carole, the daughter of murder victim Lyman Smith spoke out after court.
"I come up from my home because I think it's really important to see how we're progressing," said Carole. "My dad was a lawyer so I'm really interested in court and how the process works. And I think also I want to just see DeAngelo and see how he's doing. I don't necessarily mean that in a good way."
Carole also commented on how the court was packed and largely full of women.
"Oh this is definitely about women," explained Carole. "There are people in that courtroom who are convinced that DeAngelo was their attacker but they aren't considered part of the case, there are people who had brushes with him, know he tried to break into their window. So those folks, in fact I just talked to one with one of them today, those folks are, they have as much in this as anyone else. So it's really important for them to be able to come to court. And I think eventually when we get into a bigger courtroom, we might see more of those people, because this is theirs too."
Still, Carole doesn't believe DeAngelo needs the death penalty.
"I don't need the death penalty because for me, because I know he doesn't do well socially," admitted Carole. "I want him with other prisoners right now. I want him uncomfortable. I want him watching his back. I want him to be afraid.And that's what I hope comes out of this. That he has to actually be held accountable in that way with his very person having to suffer that kind of anxiety and stress and terror."
DeAngelo's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2020.
RELATED GOLDEN STATE KILLER CONTENT: