biography
pronunciation:
[berkohvits]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (c.1953– )
|
| biography:
| Convicted US murderer, who dubbed himself ‘Son of Sam’ in a note to the New York Police Department. He terrorized the city for a year (1976–7), preying on courting couples and lone women. He was finally caught because of a parking ticket: he watched as it was stuck on his car, and then went and tore it to pieces. A woman witnessed this, noticed a strange smile on his face, and reported him to the police. Berkowitz's car was traced and he was arrested. In pursuit of a plea of insanity he claimed at his trial that Satanic voices told him to kill. Deemed sane, he received a prison sentence of 365 years in 1977. |
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