Last month it was Charles Manson's turn to get his parole shot down and this month it was the Son of Sam's. A parole board came to the decision yesterday that David Berkowitz, 58, is not ready for the release. This was the reportedly reformed serial killer's sixth failed bid for freedom.
Berkowitz, who terrified New York City in 1976 and '77, has been in prison for 35 years since he was convicted of fatally shooting six people and injuring more. He is currently serving a life term with the possibility of parole at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg.
Since being locked up Berkowitz has reportedly cleaned up his act by becoming a prison minister—a fact the parole board did not ignore. They just also didn't ignore that the man who now calls himself "Son of Hope" is a confessed serial killer. "Despite your positive efforts while incarcerated, your heinous, unprovoked, violent and cold disregard for innocent human life held the entire city of New York hostage for nearly a year," the board declared while rejecting him. He'll get another shot at parole in two years. Up next for you parole fans? Mark David Chapman tries for the prize again in August!
