The JenCarole Show | Democracy 2.0 The Reckoning

Here's the audio version of my live talk - the audio/visual version is here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yyFcM8h85d4. The video has slides of photos you might find interesting. This is the jist of our whole story, or at least the Readers' Digest version (that means it's high-level and moves across time rather quickly). Also features guest audio from one of DeAngelo's rape survivors.

These articles from my Murder Book explain how the case isn't going anywhere and law enforcement is basically stumped. You might want to listen to the other In the News pod first so you have the coverage from day one. This picks up where that leaves off and I end with some feelings I didn't expect. It's just baffling to me how much they didn't really understand about the crime scene and the evidence. The assumptions, based on what we know today, are mind-blowing.

The DNA has been obtained and now we have a chance to talk about what incarceration might look like for DeAngelo - if he ends up on Death Row or if he does manage to provide a plea that satisfies everyone and is incarcerated for life without parole (LWOP they call it). If he doesn't die from Coronavirus, what might his future hold? Here's a look at what I learned.

It was a busy day yesterday. Started with a meeting with the defense. This happened because the defense sent a letter to those of use with charges earlier this year. I met with them in the morning at the Sacramento District Attorney's Office. After that, I grabbed a beverage and headed to court. It was a longer session than we expected, but really interesting. After that, we were whisked off to meet with the Prosecutors - and that went very well. This pod is a bit more extemporaneous than usual because I'm exhausted today and wanted to get this done! So I used my notes and just talked through them. And here's a link to the letter, it helps to see it: https://jcarole.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Letter-from-the-Defense-2.pdf

On March 7th, I went through the prosecution's request for additional DNA. You might want to listen to that first, before you listen to this one. Today, I go through the defense response to the motion and it's long and a little whiny. They make a few valid points. There's one giant argument that's closely related to the Motion to Dismiss (that won't be heard tomorrow). I wonder how the judge will rule - he might end up tabling the whole thing until April 29th, the date of the next hearing. We will see!

The news is going to get real again as we head into the hearing on Thursday, so I thought today we'd take a little break and go back to 1968 - the year I got a bike and what happened when my dad tried to teach me how to ride it. I love that my parents were super utilitarian and expected us to figure things out so quickly. Considering this foreshadowing for what happens next!

With many of us feeling like we aren't getting all the information we need, I take a look at Marsy's Law, California edition, and what this means for anyone who is a victim of crime. Along the way, I also discuss how this law was enacted in California using our Initiative Process (for better or worse) and how these turn into Propositions that are voted on by the citizens. I also briefly discuss Prop 69, that made it legal to collect DNA.

This motion is what will be argued on Thursday. I discovered, in the motion, information I didn't know before. I think you'll find it satisfying. The prosecution does a wonderful job of stating clearly and firmly that this additional DNA is needed and why. I also share some feedback from Gaye based on yesterday's podcast and a little personal information about my love of journalism and journalists.

It turns out there are different kinds of victims in this messy, ginormous case and depending on the crime or where you live, you'll have a different experience from other victims. This episode explains the different factions and the different kinds of communication we are getting and expresses our desire to be considered as one large group to the extent that is possible. Included are statements from Kris and Gaye, who do a phenomenal job of expressing their frustration from different victim subsets.

I’m back! This is a reboot of my podcast about the Golden State Killer. There's so much stuff happening in public and behind the scenes, this is the best way to keep up! Today I talk about DeAngelo apparently offering a plea (as announced in a footnote on page seven of the Motion to Dismiss) and discovered by Paige St. John of the LA Times. I saw a notification on Reddit that stopped me cold. This episode covers what's happened since Tuesday with regard to the offer, questions the intentions of the defense and confirms the existence of a letter to victims from the defense. Companion Blog: https://jcarole.com/march-5-2020-podcast-notes-deangelo-wants-to-plea/

On August 23, 2018, we attended court to hear 26 more charges be brought against Joseph DeAngelo, the accused Golden State Killer and East Area Rapist. It was intense, sad and different. I also get out a few soap boxes in this one!

This bonus track is podcast only (I didn't write about it on my blog). My friend took me to a Medium and guess who showed up!? Apparently I was on speed when I recorded this - I talk fast so buckle-up!

Ripped from the headlines: I read and comment about actual news coverage in Ventura in March 1980, when my dad and stepmom were found and the early days of the investigation. Based on two articles from the Ventura County Star Free Press. Eventually we'd learn they were killed by the Golden State Killer, aka East Area Rapist, but back then, it's amazing how little we really knew about the case.

It was time to see DeAngelo, the man who killed my dad and stepmom, for the first time. Here's what happened.

I came to Sacramento for the weekend before I'd see Joseph DeAngelo, the accused Golden State Killer, for the first time. Here's what I did with my time - before the nerves kicked in on Sunday night. I was way more anxious than I thought I would be.

I never ever thought my dad and stepmom's killer would be caught. I mean I just didn't. I had decided in my head he was dead. And then, April 2018, an arrest was made! The Golden State Killer, East Area Rapist had been caught. Joseph DeAngelo stands accused. Hot damn. Here's what happened from my perspective.

In March 1980, my dad and stepmother (Lyman and Charlene Smith) were found murdered in their home in Ventura, California. It took decades to find out who killed them and why. This is what happened the day my younger brother discovered their bodies.