In Sacramento, California, the man known as the “Golden State Killer” has pleaded guilty to nearly 50 sexual assaults and over a dozen murders going back to the 1970s. Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., who worked as a police officer during that time, dodged arrest for four decades before being apprehended in 2018. The 74-year-old admitted to the crimes Monday in court as part of a plea deal. This is Santa Barbara District Attorney Joyce Dudley speaking about the significance of the admission of guilt to DeAngelo’s victims.

Joyce Dudley: “I hope that that is a catalyst to spark the beginning of their healing process. I know many of them rightfully believed that this day would never come. But today did come.”