June 12, 2004
Berkowitz denied parole

David Berkowitz, the notorious "Son of Sam" killer, has been denied parole.


Berkowitz, serving 25 years to life in prison for the ambush killings of six people, was told by the state parole board that his "excellent disciplinary record" behind bars was given consideration.

"However, the brutality of your criminal acts which resulted in so much harm to your victims and society necessitate that you remain in prison," the board added.

"This panel feels that to release you at this time would seriously deprecate the nature of your extreme violent criminal acts and greatly undermine respect for law."

Berkowitz, who became a born-again Christian in 1987, faced the parole board this week at maximum-security Sullivan Correctional Facility in the Catskills, 80 miles north of New York City.

He will be eligible for release again in June 2006 - and under the law, must be considered for parole every two years.


It's fine by me that he must be considered for parole, and it's fine by me that he be denied it. One of the more vivid memories of my childhood in New York is the headlines generated by this creep and the sense of fear he put in all of us. The story notes that he's all of 51 now. Far as I'm concerned, he needs to stay put until he's quite a bit older.

Oh, and you had to know this was going to happen: Berkowitz has a blog, according to the Smoking Gun, which reproduces several of his entries. The Wash Times gives the URL. I will not be linking to it.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on June 12, 2004 to Crime and Punishment | TrackBack
Comments

The way I see it, David Berkowitz is to the New York Parole Board what Charles Manson is to the California Parole Board: Living proof that someone that does the heinous things they have done still have to be given their rights under the law, even though there is no chance either of these slimeballs will ever been given parole.

He's only 51. I don't care if he live to 51,000 years old, he deserves to rot.

Posted by: William Hughes on June 12, 2004 4:47 PM

51 now, a christian at 34. sounds like all he needs is a GOP nomination and he could simply refer to his pre-40 behavior as youthful indiscretions and run for office.

Posted by: kerry on June 14, 2004 4:33 PM

Why do so many born again christians save all their compassion for the Serial Killer and show little compassion for the Murder Victims and Their families?

Posted by: Deebee on June 24, 2004 8:14 PM

David grew up mad, he didn't no any other way, he was so young and neive when he killed people. There are so many explanations for why he was the way he was. God has forgiven the man for his horrible sins. I do too, I'm not saying what he did was fine, it wasn't it was horrible, everyone deserves a second chance to start over. Trust me, I know, I'm greatful I got too, I'm living a completely different life now. I'm sure everyone has gotten a second chance in something, this man deserves a second chance to live out side prision walls again.

Posted by: Ashley on January 18, 2006 7:57 PM

I am currently independently researching David Berkowitz. Internet sources mean little compared to microfilm and testimony. On one side you have a demented monster that has a cold itch for murder. On the other you have a born again christian that might fear the influence of darker things early on in his life. Things which he may not understand, God is real, but it doesn't end there. I believe he should stay in prison, I believe he has and still has yet to pay more for the terrible things he's done. I also believe that other comments should try to be slightly more open minded about exactly why he was doing this, or better yet, open minded to the world of several diferent reality altering, mental disorders. He did wrong, thats very simple. Everything leading up to that point is the real complication.
-Fredo

Posted by: Fredo on October 12, 2006 2:22 PM