Richard Ramirez Case Study

Richard Ramirez, a 25-year old unemployed Hispanic male, was responsible for at least 16 murders in Los Angeles during July 1984 – August 1985 that baffled authorities. Victims ranged from the ages of six to eighty years old. He had no set pattern – weapons used ranged from guns, knives, tire irons, to his bare hands. He dressed in all black wearing an AC/DC hat and Avia running shoes. Victims were scattered throughout Los Angeles he would steal cars to get to each destination and pawn off valuables from the victims for money and drugs. Richard would enter the homes at night through unlocked doors or windows. Addicted to cocaine and sadistic sexual fantasies; Richard prayed and murdered to the allegiance of Satan. Richard's grandiose
Also the Mayor of San Francisco on August 18, 2006 released crucial evidence from the case to the media. Richard heard the news and while in San Francisco threw his shoes and gun off the Golden Gate Bridge. Police finally caught the break they needed when a teenager recognized Richard on 8/24/85 after he left his last victims home. The teenager supplied a license plate number and authorities located the abandoned car and found another set of finger prints. Los Angeles' finger print data base was finally up and running and they were able to ID the suspect as 25-year old Richard Ramirez from his previous arrest in 1983. They released the information all over the papers and news. Richard had no idea of the current situation since he had taken a bus right after the last murder to see his brother in Arizona. Police were aware of his trip and were at the bus station on 8/25/85 when Richard was to arrive back in Los Angeles. Richard saw the authorities and was able to flee, he got on a local bus, people recognized him and they were pointing and screaming. Richard got off the next stop and began running and a mob of people were chasing him. At one point Richard tried to remove a woman from a car. Her husband came and started beating Richard with a pipe; ironically the Police actually saved his
During victim testimony and throughout the trial Richard was seen laughing and giggling as well as sneering at victims. The trail lasted 8-months and included at least four hundred exhibits as evidence, including fingerprints, ballistics evidence, and shoe impressions—one of which had been on the face of one victim. Regardless of the crimes Richard had a fan base of all women. Ramirez had referred to himself as a "super criminal," claiming he loved to kill and had murdered twenty people. I love all that blood". (Carlo, 1996). On 9/30/89 Richard Ramirez was found guilty of 67 felonies which included 14 murders, sodomy, rape, sexual assault, burglary, attempted murder. The defense team asked Ramirez to assist with the penalty phase, because he surely would be condemned to death. "Dying doesn't scare me," he responded. "I'll be in hell. With Satan." He told his lawyers that he would not beg. On October 3, 1989 – It only took the jury 4 days to decide he would be put to death – his female groupies were crying. On November 9, 1989 he was officially sentenced to death nineteen times. Richard's statement to the court: "It's nothing you'd understand, but I do have something to say. In fact, I have a lot to say, but now is not the time or place. I don't know why I'm wasting my time or breath. But what the hell? As for what is said of my