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New York's 'Son of Sam' Killer Sues Lawyer (David Berkowitz wants his stuff back)
Yahoo News ^ | 6/03/05 | SAMUEL MAULL

Posted on 06/03/2005 6:31:50 PM PDT by Libloather

New York's 'Son of Sam' Killer Sues Lawyer
By SAMUEL MAULL, Associated press Writer
58 minutes ago

NEW YORK - David Berkowitz, the imprisoned "Son of Sam" killer who terrorized New York City for 13 months in 1976 and 1977, filed a lawsuit Friday to force the return of personal property that he says his former lawyer is planning to sell.

Berkowitz, serving six 25-years-to-life sentences for killing six people and wounding seven others, says in court papers he agreed to let lawyer Hugo R. Harmatz use the items as props for a youthful offender program the lawyer said he was developing.

The personal items include Berkowitz' typewriter, which the killer says he authenticated — at Harmatz' request — by personally signing and dating a label on the machine before giving it and other items to Harmatz in 2002.

Berkowitz' court papers say other items include letters from Neysa Moskowitz, mother of one of his victims, Stacy Moskowitz; school and prison records; photos and memorabilia of family and friends; Bar Mitzvah pictures; and his last will and testament.

Soon after Berkowitz gave Harmatz the items, court papers say, Harmatz "shockingly revealed" his true intended use of the property — to support and document a book he was writing that exploited his relationship with Berkowitz.

The lawsuit also says Berkowitz was unaware that "upon information and belief, (Harmatz) planned to offer said typewriter and other personal items belonging to (Berkowitz) for sale at public auction."

On Dec. 2, 2004, court papers say, Harmatz told Berkowitz that his book, entitled "Dear David," would say the items had been gifts to him from the imprisoned killer. Berkowitz is incarcerated at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, N.Y.

Harmatz, who had volunteered to act as Berkowitz' legal counsel, court papers say, refused to return Berkowitz' property and "has taken the plaintiff's life and memories hostage" for "his own selfish, salacious, scandalous and greedy purposes."

Berkowitz' lawsuit asks the court to declare that he is the owner of all the property he says he turned over to Harmatz, and to order the lawyer to return it.

Berkowitz' lawyer, Michael D. Heller, did not returns calls for comment.

Harmatz, who has an address and telephone number in Colts Neck, N.J., could not be reached and did not returns calls for comment.

Berkowitz, 51, shot his victims with a .44 caliber revolver, usually while they sat in cars. He was arrested in the summer of 1977. His nickname came from a note, left at a crime scene, reading: "I am a monster. I am the Son of Sam."


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: back; berkowitz; david; lawsuit; lawyer; new; nyc; sonofsamkiller; stuff; sues; york

1 posted on 06/03/2005 6:31:53 PM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather
A lawyer and a serial killer. Who to side with.

All I know is if there is a collector who wants to buy Berkowitz' Bar Mitzvah pictures, they should be thrown in jail immediately, forget about due process.

2 posted on 06/03/2005 6:36:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway (I'm Only Alive, Because a Judge Hasn't Ruled I Should Die...)
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To: nickcarraway

Clearly NY needs to expand its "Son of Sam" law to include the lawyers.

In the meantime, true justice will be achieved in this case if the litigation drives them both to poverty.


3 posted on 06/03/2005 6:43:28 PM PDT by thoughtomator (The U.S. Constitution poses no serious threat to our form of government)
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To: thoughtomator

I agree.


4 posted on 06/03/2005 6:49:00 PM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: TXBubba

Believe it or not, Berkowitz is now reformed and appears to be a real deal Christian.

I doubt that the ambulance chaser has a soul.


5 posted on 06/03/2005 7:06:49 PM PDT by RIghtWingAvenger
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To: nickcarraway
"has taken the plaintiff's life and memories hostage" for "his own selfish, salacious, scandalous and greedy purposes."

Isn't that what Berkowitz did to the the families of his victims?

6 posted on 06/03/2005 7:09:30 PM PDT by Hildy ( The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue)
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To: RIghtWingAvenger

Don't know that much about him frankly. But so far it doesn't sound like he was planning on selling his stuff for profit (I know he can't legally.) I would say the lawyer trying to profit off the crimes is just as sick.


7 posted on 06/03/2005 7:14:24 PM PDT by TXBubba ( Democrats: If they don't abort you then they will tax you to death.)
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To: Libloather

I read a very interesting book where they said David Berkowitz was not in it alone, and wasn't even the main killer. Berkowitz says the same, although I don't know what his word is worth, despite his conversion.

He does take responsibility for some of the murders, just not all of them.


8 posted on 06/03/2005 7:35:52 PM PDT by I still care (America is not the problem - it is the solution..)
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To: RIghtWingAvenger

David Berkowitz's home page. Very Interesting reading.

http://forgivenforlife.com/


9 posted on 06/03/2005 7:45:34 PM PDT by I still care (America is not the problem - it is the solution..)
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To: RIghtWingAvenger

Focus on the Family has played interviews between a psycholigist from FOTF and Berkowitz and based upon my hearing of those interviews I believe Berkowitz is my brother in Christ.


10 posted on 06/03/2005 8:05:07 PM PDT by killermosquito (Buffalo is what you get when liberalism runs its course.)
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To: I still care

I grew up in Brooklyn, and in the summer between 7th and 8th grade, the scene of Berkowitz' last victims occurred down the block from our house, about 200 feet away. It was late, but we heard the shots and thought they were fireworks. THe neighborhood was scared, especially with all the blood on the street and lamp post. Long story short, there were strong rumors in the neighborhood that the Mafia was involved in solving this case because that was considered their street. I can recall seeing obvious Mafia guys patrolling the streets every night until Berkowitz was caught, and there were rumours that the mob gave the key tip.


11 posted on 06/03/2005 8:09:56 PM PDT by RecallMoran (The left would RATHER lie)
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To: killermosquito; TXBubba
I believe Berkowitz is my brother in Christ.

I heard the interview as well and agree. You'll find his testimony at the link in post #9.

12 posted on 06/03/2005 8:27:45 PM PDT by DrewsDad
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To: Libloather

Sue your lawyer, David. Sue your lawyer.
13 posted on 06/03/2005 9:54:23 PM PDT by jimboster (Vitajex, whatcha doin' to me)
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To: RIghtWingAvenger
Believe it or not, Berkowitz is now reformed and appears to be a real deal Christian.

Yeah, that's what they all say.

14 posted on 06/03/2005 9:57:20 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: jimboster

LOL! You know, I'm not a fan of Spike Lee, but "Summer of Sam" was a pretty good movie though. There's a scene in which Berkowitz kills the dog and the dog suddenly walks in the room again as if nothing happens. Really creepy.


15 posted on 06/03/2005 9:58:32 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Libloather
I believe Newman has your mailbag, Mr. Berkowitz.
16 posted on 06/03/2005 10:08:53 PM PDT by Major Matt Mason (The U.S. Senate - Freedom's Graveyard)
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To: nickcarraway

Side with the serial killer. Berkowitz supposedly found jailhouse religion some time ago and, apparently, is trying to do right. His lawyer is, well, a lawyer.


17 posted on 06/03/2005 10:26:08 PM PDT by WorkingClassFilth (Fun Fact: Did you know that NEWSWEEK has killed more people than Ted Kennedy's Oldsmobile?)
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To: Libloather

They should send him a mounted dogs head. Preferablely one of those little yappy ones, that says, "go f yourself", repeatedly in an endless loop.


18 posted on 06/03/2005 10:32:41 PM PDT by spunkets
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To: jimboster

LOL


19 posted on 06/04/2005 12:42:19 AM PDT by packrat35 (reality is for people who can't face science fiction)
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