What Is DeAngelo’s Defense Thinking? What Will Be Their Strategy?
I feel remarkably better today – the boost of adrenaline I had from yesterday’s hearing (while I sat in my…
Court Date | January 22, 2020 – We Have a Preliminary Trial Date. Finally.
I wasn’t in court today and I under-estimated my frustration. I’ve been sick and then I managed to share it…
Joseph DeAngelo is Dead | What If?
It’s fall and we have a new house in Sacramento! I won’t be living there full time but at least…
Court Date: August 22, 2019 | DeAngelo Withers Away
I spent the day with the HBO folks yesterday. They are really great people and I was impressed with their…
Justice Fatigue: It’s a Thing and it Happens to Many of Us
Epstein is dead. I did not see that coming. Sometimes I am so naïve. I think good things happen to…
I Used to Hate Him, But Now I Just Resent Joseph DeAngelo
The El Paso shooting has just happened and I am heartsick. I’m sure you’ll be shocked to learn I’m anti-gun…
Deep Dive: “Man in the Window” and the Therapeutic Technique Many of Us are Using
I have a lot to say about Paige St John’s podcast. All of it good. But let’s start where she…
Post-Court Gathering | Golden State Killer Survivors and HBO
Today I got my hands dirty planting some tomatoes and strawberries with the hope they will flourish. I used to…
Golden State Killer Survivors Exploited for Political Gain
It’s 4am as I start this because I can’t sleep. I’m so angry, it’s beyond my belief. I have to…
Court Date | April 10, 2019 – One Year Later, DeAngelo Earns the Death Penalty as Possible Consequence
It’s nearly 8pm and I am swimming in a hot mess of feelings. I might not even be able to…
Another Court Date for DeAngelo in Sacramento Tomorrow
Now that Katie lives up here, it makes it just a bit more awesome coming north for another courtroom performance….
I Have a Horse in this Race | The California Death Penalty
I was probably a preteen when I first discussed the death penalty with my dad – he was against it….
Happy Hanukkah: The Hearing Coming Up this Week
Katie and I are kind of goofy about Hanukkah. We have a song by Barenaked Ladies that we play when…
Lyman and Charlene Smith’s Christmas Wedding, December 12, 1975
In our family, we celebrate any holiday that involves presents and candy. Gotta say I truly appreciate that about my…
The Mysterious Case of Anne Penn
When Katie was born, the joke was she was born unto a family twig. We have no real family tree….
Busted | Five Myths About the Smith Family
It’s no secret you know I grew up in a household of Democrats. My dad was fierce about justice for…
Lyman and Charlene Smith’s Funeral | What I Remember
My family isn’t really into funerals. Thankfully, I’ve been to very few in my life but the one I remember…
So Now What? Kavanaugh, Trauma, Healing and Moving Forward
I have this fantasy of buying one of those sheds from Home Depot and having a friend sheet rock the…
My Life Has Been Incredibly Different Since the Arrest of Joseph DeAngelo
Yesterday Sacramento was able to announce the arrest of another monster. Terrorist. Piece of human excrement. The NorCal Rapist was…
Court Date Aug 23 | Twenty-Six New Charges for Joseph DeAngelo
In just a few days, the names of the 9/11 victims will be read again in New York. I can’t…
Top Five Reasons Having the DeAngelo Trial in Sacramento is Pure Gold
When the FBI released the news about the Golden State Killer, the Orlando shooting massacre happened and took over the…
The Day of the Arrest: How I Learned DeAngelo Had Been Caught
The week before DeAngelo’s arrest, I had worked a trade show called RSAC. It’s the biggest cybersecurity show in the…
The Day We Learned My Dad and Charlene Were Dead
My grandmother’s piano sat in our front room. It’s dark cherry and well-worn and every Smith kid had to take…
Court Date July 12 | Another Hearing and Meeting New Survivors
Sometimes we get so good at our jobs we can do them almost on autopilot. We don’t realize everyone else…
I Was A Suspect In My Dad’s Murder | Part 2
I’m pretty sure I spent thousands of dollars in therapy to get over this. No, it wasn’t just this, but…
I Was a Suspect In My Dad’s Murder | Part 1
Probably the one thing about this whole case that caused me the most shame, was being a suspect. I can’t…
Writing a Book About the Murders: I Can’t Do It and Here’s Why
I’m one of those people who doesn’t remember a lot of my childhood. There are good reasons why. While some…
When Someone Else’s Trauma Triggers Yours
It has been a really tough week. Not so much practically, but emotionally. I realized this morning, in a private…
In Search of Lyman Smith’s Mystery Woman
My parents divorced in 1972. It was a bit of a long time coming. My mom was a stay at…
News of the Day: DNA, Evidence, and Victim’s Assistance
My new friends in the media warned me about this. They said to be ready for the ups and downs….
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark – Telling Other People’s Stories – Barnes and Noble Part 2
I didn’t know who Michelle McNamara was until I heard Patton talking about her on Conan shortly after she died….
Citrus Heights Barnes and Noble Was Packed with Stories, Interest and Support
“Look for Karen,” Ray texted, “She’s coming up for the book event tonight!” Holy cow, I thought, she’s coming all…
Privacy at Issue in DeAngelo Pretrial Hearing: Discuss
I sat in court on Tuesday, listening to arguments for the first time, as they apply to privacy, the search…
Open Letter to the Male Survivors of the East Area Rapist
I’m not sure I want to know what happened inside my dad’s house. Larry Pool shared a lot with me…
May 29th In Court with East Area Rapist Victims
Yesterday, Memorial Day, it was quiet downtown near the jail. I was looking for a place for a “survivor coffee”…
The Power of Women – East Area Rapist Survivors Are Fierce
Had anyone at a Buckhorn Grill looked our way, they would have seen a group of women, whooping it up,…
For 30 Years He Lived Among Us
In Silicon Valley it’s not cool to be old. It should be, but it isn’t. What’s old? 40. 50. For…
Behind the Scenes – Discussing Golden State Killer with 20/20 on ABC
Exec staff was supposed to start at 11am, but as usual our head sales guy was late. As my CEO…
Seeing DeAngelo for the First Time – Part Two
Two days have passed since seeing DeAngelo in court. There’s a dream I’ve been having since he was arrested that’s…
Today I Saw Joseph DeAngelo, The Golden State Killer, In Person for the First Time
I knew it would be tough to sleep. I felt the dread building into the evening and so I decided…
Preparing to Attend Tomorrow’s Golden State Killer Hearing
Charlie’s Cafe is where the Golden State Killer liked to eat. Good on them for putting up with the lousy…
Venue Decision for Golden State Killer: Where Will We Hold the Trial
The press release below went out on May 11 regarding the on-going discussions among the district attorneys and the right…
The Golden State Killer Has Been Caught
The Golden State Killer has been caught. I know we still have miles to go before there’s a conviction, but…