'Son Of Sam’ Serial Killer David Berkowitz Denied Parole Following His 12th Attempt
David Berkowitz, known as the "Son of Sam," was denied parole following his 12th attempt last week, per 'New York Post.'
Berkowitz has been behind bars since 1977 after he murdered six people and wounded seven others with a .44 revolver pistol. Per Psychology Today, it was 1975 when the serial killer began isolating himself, experiencing fantasies and delusions that led to his disconnection from reality.
Berkowitz — who reportedly had a growing interest for satanism after being released from the army at 21 — blames demons for his continuous violent acts.
Berkowitz was reportedly categorized as a "visionary" serial killer, due to his belief that he was driven by Satan to carry out the violent murders. Letters he wrote detailed that the entity urged him to kill "pretty, young girls."
After a stomach-turning manhunt in New York City, he was arrested by police outside his Yonkers home in August 1977. He was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences for the harrowing crimes he committed.
"I am a monster. I am the Son of Sam," Berkowitz gushed in notes left near the bodies of victims Alexander Esau, 20, and Valentina Suriani, 18, in April of 1977, per the Post.
Berkowitz told The Post that he knew he had zero chance of getting out, but decided to attend the hearing regardless of the outcome.
"To not attend a hearing can be viewed as being defiant towards authority, and that's not me," Berkowitz said, per the news outlet. "Most of all, I attend in order to openly apologize for my past crimes and to express my remorse."
His story left the world stunned, leading to the disturbing crime thriller film, 'The Summer of Sam' (1999), directed by Spike Lee, starring John Leguizamo, Adrian Brody, Mira Sorvino, Jennifer Esposito, and Michael Imperioli.
Despite his harrowing story, the killer claims he became a Christian while incarcerated and claims the new inmates see him as a "father figure."
"Yes, I have a life sentence to do, but I choose to do it well," he said. "I always try to help and encourage the younger guys."
