David Berkowitz, the notorious “Son of Sam” killer, has been denied parole for the twelfth time. Berkowitz terrorized New York City in the 1970s with his late-night shootings. Despite his multiple attempts to gain release, the parole board has once again decided to keep him behind bars.
Berkowitz, who is 70 years old, faced rejection after undergoing a prison interview with the Board of Parole on May 14. This information was obtained from a state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website. However, the officials from the corrections agency declined to provide any further details when asked on Tuesday.
Berkowitz faced arrest on August 10, 1977, just over a year following the tragic shooting and death of his first victim, Donna Lauria, in the Bronx.
The New York Police Department took decisive action by assembling a task force consisting of 200 individuals with the objective of apprehending the killer. A crucial breakthrough in the case was achieved when a witness came forward and reported seeing a suspicious individual in close proximity to the scene of the final shooting. The diligent efforts of the police led them to investigate traffic tickets that had been issued in the vicinity, ultimately leading them to Berkowitz’s car and residence in the nearby town of Yonkers.
In 1978, Berkowitz received the harshest possible sentence of 25 years to life for each of the six murders. He became eligible for parole in 2002.
He is currently held at Shawangunk Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison located approximately 60 miles north of New York City.
In a 2017 interview with CBS News, Berkowitz revealed that he delved into “a lot of satanic stuff” during the period when he committed the murders. However, he has since expressed remorse and stated that he has undergone a spiritual transformation as a born-again Christian.
“I have expressed my apologies numerous times, ensuring that those affected know how deeply sorry I am for the events that transpired. If I could turn back time and alter the course of my actions, I would. My utmost wish is for these individuals to find solace and navigate through life to the best of their abilities. I always bear in mind my humble beginnings and the circumstances I found myself in over forty years ago. It is with great remorse that I acknowledge the pain and suffering caused by my criminal behavior, and I carry that burden with me. At times, it weighs heavily on my conscience.”
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