{ Son of Sam

Jordyn Walsh ,Olivia Knight, Caitlin Ansart, Gina Pacitto

Who is the Son of Sam?

Born: Richard David Falco

Name after Adoption: David
Berkowitz
June 1, 1953 (age 62)
AKA: Son of Sam
Brooklyn , New York , U.S
.44 caliber killer

Deeply Affected by Death of his mother

Joined the Army at 18 years old - left service in 1974
Moved back to Yonkers
Killing spree began July 29, 1976
Sentenced to 365 years in prison, up for parole just to
begin next life sentence.

Donna Lauria

Donna was 18 years old when killed on July 29, 1976

Donna was sitting with Jody in Jodys car at 1 am
As donna was about to say goodnight to Jody and go into her house
a man approached their car holding a brown paper bag
He proceeded to shot Donna five times in the neck and arm
Donna was taken to hospital but was already dead before
Weapon was a .44 Bulldog (purpose of killing people)

Christine Freund

Christine was 26 years old when killed on January

30, 1977
Left a bar with John Diel that night driving a Pontiac
Firebird when their windows shattered by gunfire
John was unharmed but Christine was slumped
against the car
Christine had gotten the bullet to her head and died
that night in St. Johns Hospital
Weapon was a .44 Bulldog
After this attack the police connected the other
attacks but it was later dismissed because of
different descriptions that were found in the other
attacks

Virginia Voskerichain

19-year-old was returning home in Queens

when she side-stepped to let a man pass her.
As he passed, he raised the gun to her head and
killed her instantly.
Ballistics test from this victim brought together
the four previous attacks all connecting to the .
44 killer.

March 8th, 1977

Alexander Esau and Valentina Surian

April 16th 1977

18 year old Valentina Suriani and 20 year
old Alexander Esau were shot in there
car.
Valentina was killed instantly, Alexander
died 2 hours later
White Envelope addressed to Captain Joe
Borelli was left at the crime scene. The
killer had used the tip of his finger and
made it impossible for police to track any
finger prints.

Stacy Mosuowitz

A final attack struck to two victims on July 31, 1977

After seeing a movie with Bobby Violante they took a 1:45 AM
stroll around the park
Two witnesses were sitting in their car when they noticed a hippie
type leaning against the wall of a public toilet - Tommy and Stacy
noticed him as well
When getting in car the hippie type was gone until suddenly
three shots fired through their car window
Stacey died from bullet wounds 38 hours later and Bobby survived
but was left permanently blinded.

Wounded

Michelle Forman stabbing: December 24, 1975

Jodi Valentini: July 29, 1976
Carl Denaro and Rosemary Keenan: october 23, 1976
Donna DeMasi and Joanne Lomino : november 27, 1976
John Diel : January 30, 1977
Sal Lupo and Judy Placido: June 26, 1977

What Lead to his arrest?

August 10, 1977

Eyewitness came forward to report that she had seen a man with what looked like a gun
A parking ticket on the car he shot from lead to his arrest

Trial and his sentencing

Initially Police were worried that their search of Berkowitzs vehicle could be ruled
unconstitutional
The police had no search warrant, their only lead was the hunting rifle (no permit
required) visible in the vehicle
However after 30 minutes of questioning Berkowitz confessed to the Son of Sam
killings
He expressed an interest in pleading guilty in exchange for a life imprisonment
instead of the death penalty
Berkowitz also claimed a bizarre insanity defense, he claimed his neighbor's dog
was possessed by an ancient demon and issued commands for him to kill.
During sentencing he showed no remorse when saying Stacy was a whore
(referring to victim Stacy Moskowitz)
June 12, 1978 he was sentenced six life sentences in prison for the killings, making
his maximum term 365 years behind bars

Works Cited
"David Berkowitz." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

"David Berkowitz | Son of Sam Killer." Crime Library: David Berkowitz. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
"David Berkowitz | Victims | Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers." David Berkowitz | Victims | Murderpedia, the
Encyclopedia of Murderers. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
Http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiRnIG5jwSsIVnx7USPXTMQ. "DAVID BERKOWITZ "THE SON OF SAM" Serial
Killer Killers Crime Biography (full Documentary)." YouTube. YouTube, 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
Http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSX7Y8k0PCOgUgmOdd6RkQw. "The Son of Sam, David Berkowitz: Serial Killer Documentary.YouTube. YouTube, 17 Nov. 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.