Richard Ramirez Research Paper

Ricardo Leyva Muñoz Ramírez, also known as Richard Ramirez was an American serial killer, rapist and burglar whose killing spree took place between June 1984 until August 1985. He was dubbed “The Night Stalker” by the media as he gravitated towards shadows purposefully, exploited the night and wrapped it around himself clad in all black attire. He was also a self-declared Satanist, leaving signs and markings at scenes of crimes and on bodies of victims. Following his capture, he was initially charged with 14 murders, and 30 other felony counts related to his rape, robbery and killing spree. Prior to his court pleading Ramirez had confessed while in custody and in San Quentin State Prison, but retracted his confession claiming a case of mistaken identity and stood trial pleading innocence. His capture occurred on August 30, 1985 and it took almost a full three years to hear his case on July 22, 1988. Ramirez was appointed 2 public defenders at the start of his case, then another but he disliked them. Later, Ramirez’ family hired 2 local lawyers who had never tried a death penalty case. The hearing itself took more than a year due to the substantial amount of evidence and witness testimonies. The testimonies themselves took 55 days, and 165 different witnesses were heard. Then on September 20, 1989, Ramirez was convicted of all charges,

Both were bound and bludgeoned with a hammer then raped. The two were found two days after the crime had been committed, discovered by Carlos Valenzuela when he entered after receiving no response. Both women were alive, but in comatose states. Ramirez had left pentagrams on both Lang’s thigh and the walls in their bedroom. Bell died of her injuries in July and Lang regained consciousness but was unable to communicate with police. A shoe print was left and found by police, and stolen items were retrieved from Felipe