91成人导航

Sacramento County District Attorney and McGeorge School of Law alumnus 鈥�98 is sharing his inside story of one of the most chilling criminal cases in California history, the prosecution of the Golden State Killer. In his book The People vs. the Golden State Killer, he details the entire investigation, capture, and prosecution of one of the nation鈥檚 most notorious serial killers. 

鈥淯ntil now, no one has written about the entire investigation, capture, and prosecution of this notorious serial killer,鈥� Ho said. 鈥淚 want to strip away the mystery of the monster behind the mask and peel away the myths shrouding his deeds.鈥�

Joseph DeAngelo, also known as the Golden State Killer, committed 13 murders and over 50 sexual assaults in 11 different jurisdictions throughout California. Ho served as the lead prosecutor, earning DeAngelo a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. His successful prosecution of the Golden State Killer gave a voice to the 13 homicide victims and approximately 50 rape survivors who had waited more than 32 years for justice. 

For Ho, the most important legacy of the case is remembering the victims and the law enforcement officers who never stopped pursuing justice.

鈥淚 want to give voice like never before to the heroic survivors and their loved ones, who waited so long to claim back their lives. We have all fought together not to vilify and punish an evil human being, but for our own healing, redemption, and human right to be heard,鈥� said Ho. 鈥淎 portion of the proceeds from this book will fund a nonprofit created by several GSK survivors.鈥� 

Prior to being elected as the District Attorney, Ho served in executive management as the Sacramento County Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney over the Justice and Community Relations Bureau. Additionally, for 25 years, Ho worked as an attorney and successfully prosecuted cases involving sexual assault, gang, and homicide cases. He was the supervisor of the Gang and Hate Crime Unit and has personally charged and prosecuted hate crimes.  

In addition to his work in public service, Ho has remained connected to McGeorge as he served as an adjunct professor for the Trial Advocacy Program. He coached mock trial teams that won multiple regional and national mock trial competitions. Ho was recognized as one of McGeorge鈥檚 40 inaugural Alumni of Honor award recipients during the school鈥檚 centennial anniversary in 2024.

鈥淢y education at McGeorge laid the foundation for my entire career in public service.鈥� Ho said. 鈥淢cGeorge taught me the value of public service which pushes you through the valleys of your career from the sleepless nights filled with stress to the summits where you can provide a measure of justice to the victims.鈥�

Ho credits the late Joe Taylor, a McGeorge professor and director of the school鈥檚 Trial Advocacy Program Director, with shaping his approach to law.

鈥淧rofessor Taylor taught me that a lawyer鈥檚 greatest asset in the courtroom is their credibility,鈥� Ho said. 鈥淗e epitomized the principle, 鈥榊ou can paint a thousand paintings and never be a painter, but you tell one lie and you will be painted a liar.鈥欌��

As a student, Ho competed in the First-Year Mock Trial Competition and later joined the Mock Trial Team. He said that those experiences, along with the Trial Advocacy class, taught him 鈥渉ow to try cases at a high level.鈥�

Ho also offered advice to current students interested in criminal law or public service.

鈥淎pply for an internship to gain invaluable experience that can lead to a job offer. I also recommend trying out for the mock trial team to gain invaluable litigation experience,鈥� he said.

As several years have passed, Ho said that when he looks back on the case his perspective has changed. 

鈥淚 no longer think about DeAngelo's heinous crimes or the details of his life or some novel legal strategy. Instead, my lasting memory and image of the People vs. the Golden State Killer is Phyllis [the first sexual assault victim] in our makeshift courtroom, at peace, holding the providence of justice in the hollow of her hands.鈥� 

To learn more about Ho's personal account of prosecuting a serial killer, his book The People vs. the Golden State Killer can purchased on his , , , and .