'Son of Sam' Killer Converts to Christianity, Says 'Jesus Has Freed My Soul, Has Forgiven Me'
David Berkowitz, aka the "Son of Sam" killer, skipped his latest parole hearing for religious reasons. He was eligible for parole after being kept in prison since 1977, when he was sentenced to six life sentences. He will now be kept in prison until 2016, when he will next be eligible for parole.
"David told me that the reason he has never sought freedom from the parole board by attending parole hearings is because 'Jesus has already freed my heart, soul and mind and has forgiven me,'" Mark J. Heller, Berkowitz's lawyer, told the New York Post.
Heller added that Berkowitz had converted from Judaism to Jews for Jesus while behind bars and is reportedly an active member of the group in prison. Berkowitz has even worked as the Sullivan County prison's minister's assistant. It's a radical change for the man raised in the Jewish faith and culture.
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Berkowitz became famous for shooting six young people and maiming seven others in the summer of 1976-1977. He came up with the nickname "Son of Sam" and during his trial claimed that the neighbor's dog, Sam, told him to carry out the shootings.
"I tell you, I felt like I was under demonic control," Berkowitz told the Daily News in 2012. "I don't even recognize that person. 'Son of Sam' represents evil and satanic things. That person is like a total stranger to me now. God has put some really great, caring people in my life. To me, they are more than friends, they are family. I'll be the first to say that I don't deserve to have my life spared, but I believe God spared my life for me to do the things I'm doing now."
"I want people to see my God is a God of miracles," Berkowitz added. "If He can save someone like me, He can save anybody."
Berkowitz will next be eligible for parole in 2016.
