The Son of Sam David Berkowitz or .44 Caliber killer

1. The Son of SamDavid Berkowitz or .44 Caliber killer By: Philip & Nick

2. Biography • His mom died while giving birth and was adopted by Nathan & Pearl Berkwoitz • He became very upset and depressed when Pearl died of cancer. • After that “demons” drove him to start the killings. (Mostly dogs) • He used a .44 Special Bulldog revolver & he sent messages to the police after the murders. • The Son of Sam name was an invention of Berkowitz. The name was taken from his neighbor, Sam Carr who owned the dog that ”told him to murder the women.” • He said the real reason he killed was because he felt resentment toward his mother and his failures with women. • He found killing the women to be sexually arousing. (Lust murders)

3. History of Killings • Christmas Eve of 1975 he used a hunting knife to stab two women. • July 29, 1976 – Jody Valenti and Donna Lauria were shot in a parked car outside Donna’s apartment. Donna died & Jody survived. • October 23, 1976 – Carl Denaro and Rosemary Keenan were shot while sitting in Denaro’s parked car & both survived • November 26, 1976 – Donna DeMasi and Joanne Lomino were walking near Joanne’s home after a movie and were shot near Joanne’s house. Both survived • January 30, 1977 – Christine Freund and her fiancJohn Diel were shot as they sat in a parked car. Christine died & John survived.

4. History of Killings Continued • March 8, 1977 – Virginia Voskerichian, a Barnard College honor student was shot and killed while walking home from class. • April 17, 1977 – ValentinaSuriani and her boyfriend Alexander Esau, were both shot twice and they both died. This when Berkowitz left a letter signed “Son of Sam.” • June 26, 1977 – Judy Placido and Sal Lupu were shot while leaving a disco. Both survived. • July 31, 1977 – Bobby Violante and Stacy Moskowitz were shot in the car while parked at a lover’s lane. Stacy died from a gunshot wound to her head and Bobby just lost vision in one eye.

5. The Investigation • Operation Omega Task Force was made up of over 300 officers investigating the shootings • It was led by Deputy Inspector Timothy Dowd • The KEY EVIDENCE was a PARKING TICKET given to him near scene of the Moskowitzand Violanteshooting. (He drove a yellow 1970 Ford Galaxie) • The Yonkers police believed Berkowitz was the “Son” so they told NYPD and then he became a suspect.

6. Today Berkowitz is a born-again Christian and described as a “model prisoner.” Also NEVER listen to demons!!!!!

7. Bibliography • http://crime.about.com/od/murder/p/sonofsam.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz#Crimes_begin • http://www.crimerack.com/tag/virginia-voskerichian/ • http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/1st_Son_of_Sam_letter.jpg • http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m41f39njOO1rp2ik6.jpg • http://www.yankeegunnuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Charter_Arms_Bulldog-1.jpg