David Berkowitz, Courtesy New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. www.doccs.ny.gov
On this day, June 12th, 1978, David Berkowitz, aka Son of Sam was sentenced to 365 years in prison to be served at Attica Correctional Facility. Berkowtiz terrorized residents of New York City from July 1976 until his arrest in August 1977. Born in Brooklyn, Berkowitz's MO became shooting his victims in parked cars within the Brooklyn and Queens area. After several shootings, Berkowitz taunted police with handwritten letters, daring them to find him.
Also known as the .44 Caliber Killer, Berkowtiz was coined the Son of Sam after claiming that he committed the murders because his neighbor's possessed dog commanded him to. Young women with long hair with suitors seemed to be his target and Brooklyn's Shore Road area and other popular "Lovers Lanes" were deserted during his reign of terror.
Berkowitz was caught after suspicions arose when a witness saw him loitering in the neighborhood glaring at people passing. Several hours later he was seen taking a parking ticket off his car. Two days later a shooting took place and the witness contacted police. Berkowitz was charged with 15 murders throughout a two year period. His claims of mental illness and at one point, being part of a cult have been a subject of controversy.
Also known as the .44 Caliber Killer, Berkowtiz was coined the Son of Sam after claiming that he committed the murders because his neighbor's possessed dog commanded him to. Young women with long hair with suitors seemed to be his target and Brooklyn's Shore Road area and other popular "Lovers Lanes" were deserted during his reign of terror.
Berkowitz was caught after suspicions arose when a witness saw him loitering in the neighborhood glaring at people passing. Several hours later he was seen taking a parking ticket off his car. Two days later a shooting took place and the witness contacted police. Berkowitz was charged with 15 murders throughout a two year period. His claims of mental illness and at one point, being part of a cult have been a subject of controversy.
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