Posted on 05/08/2007 4:23:08 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Part I: David Berkowitz Speaks Of New Born-Again Life
(CBS) FALLSBURG, N.Y. -- Locked away three decades now, David Berkowitz recalls life as the notorious "Son of Sam," the man who held New Yorkers hostage and in fear.
"I was just totally lost in despair, surrendered myself to those powers of darkness," Berkowitz recently told CBS 2 HD from Sullivan Correctional Facility.
It's been 30 years since New York suffered through one of the city's most sizzling hot summers ever, a summer that came to be known as the "Summer of Sam" in which the soaring temperatures that led to city-wide blackouts and destructive looting riots were overshadowed by a terrifying serial killer, the "Son of Sam."
Berkowitz, now 53, was arrested in August of 1977 outside of his Yonkers apartment, where he was said to quickly admit to being the feared gunman that had shot 13 people throughout the city, killing six of them.
An eerie paranoia spread across the five boroughs while he was on the loose, as brown-haired women wore blonde wigs, cut their hair, or dyed it another color because it seemed as if the killer, who was first known as the ".44 Caliber Killer" because of the bullets used in the shootings, targeted young women with long, brown hair.
"I dedicated myself to Satan and became a soldier and had the satanic bible and went through stupid rituals. It was just a ... that kind of sealed my fate. After that it was all down hill."
This is the Berkowitz of today, a self-professed born-again Christian.
"I'm living a whole new life today, even behind prison walls," Berkowitz said. "Because God is not limited by anything. He's not limited by prison walls.
Berkowitz is considered a model prisoner, who spends most of his time-sharing the gospel with other inmates, and Christians all over the globe.
"I'm a man that doesn't even deserve to be alive, but its God who delights to show mercy," Berkowitz said. "He's the one who I believe has chosen me for this time we're living in to let people know that he does forgive sin."
When asked if he feels in God's way he can forgive a killer, Berkowitz said, "oh sure, absolutely. "
Forgiveness also came from a very unexpected person -- Neysa Moskowitz, the mother of Berkowitz's last victim, Stacey. She wrote to Berkowitz and eventually they spoke on the phone.
"I apologized to her profusely," Berkowitz said. "She said I was forgiven and she wanted to get to know me."
For years Berkowitz and the grief stricken mother communicated with each other.
"Her letters to me were very precious," he said.
For the first time publicly her words from 2000 letters have been revealed:
*Moskowitz: "Hello David, I hope this finds you feeling good ... I truly don't hate you, I promise that."
*Moskowitz: "As I told you before, I don't hate anymore. All it got me was sickness."
When asked what having that conversation and having her forgiveness was like, Berkowitz said, "That was very beautiful. It is beautiful to be forgiven or know that someone is not holding that grudge and anger against you."
However, not everyone is buying Berkowitz's transformation.
"It's a total con job," Joe Coffey said. "I've never seen one of these people who were sincere in what they did."
Thirty years ago, Coffey, then an NYPD detective sergeant, interrogated the "Son of Sam" and he remembers a disturbed man who he said enjoyed every minute of his detailed confession.
"He went through killings like you and I were talking about going out for a cocktail, or going shopping," Coffey said. "He never voiced any remorse whatsoever."
When asked what he wants people to know about who David Berkowitz is now, he said he's taken responsibility for his horrific actions.
"... I deeply regret with all my heart the pain and suffering Ive brought, through my criminal actions," Berkowitz said. "I'd do anything if I could go back in time and change that."
When asked what the David Berkowitz of today would say to the David Berkowitz from 1976, he said, "You're dead. You don't exist anymore. That's the old man who as far as I'm concerned is dead buried and one, thanks to Jesus Christ."
For years many have questioned whether David Berkowitz acted alone. CBS 2 HD asked that question. He surprised us with his answer. We will have a lot more when we continue our exclusive interview with Berkowitz on Tuesday at 11 p.m.
I’m glad he’s found God, but I sincerely hope he remains behind bars.
I hope he’s able to do some true good right where he is for the rest of his life.
Yes. Exactly.
I'm with Det. Coffey.
I was growing up in the Poconos when Son of Sam terrorized a whole city. I watched the horror unfold week after week, killing after killing.
I will no sooner forgive or forget Berkowitz, then the Mooj that shot at me in Ramadi.
Why is he still alive?
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You are a better person than I. I would be calling 911.
Not a bad plan - on the other hand, doesn’t Christianity also teach that one should take responsibility for one’s actions?
“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” doesn’t just apply to taxation.
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