Guilty
I'll Be Gone in the Dark, a six-part documentary adaptation of Michelle McNamara's book that helped to catch the Golden State Killer, premiered on HBO on June 28, 2020. One day later, 74-year-old DeAngelo pleaded guilty to all 13 murders, additionally admitting to all rapes and burglaries associated with the Golden State Killer. He could no longer be held legally accountable for certain crimes due to the statute of limitations.
An End to It All
On June 29, 2020, DeAngelo wore orange jail scrubs and a plastic face shield to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The hearing was live-streamed. "The scope of Joseph DeAngelo's crimes is simply staggering," said Sacramento County prosecutor Thien Ho. "Each time he escaped, slipping away silently into the night."