California man convicted in pair of 1980s rape-murder cold cases: ‘Sexually motivated serial killer’

A California man was convicted in Los Angeles Thursday for the rape and homicide of two girls within the Nineteen Eighties, after investigators linked him to the case utilizing new DNA proof testing.

Horace Van Vaultz Jr., 67, who was described by prosecutors as a “sexually motivated serial killer,” was convicted by a jury for first-degree homicide for the deaths of Selena Keough, 21, on July 16, 1981, and Mary Duggan, 22, on June 9, 1986, Metropolis Information Service reported.

The nine-man, three-woman jury deliberated for 3 hours earlier than discovering Vaultz responsible of homicide in addition to the particular circumstance allegations, together with the rape of each girls and sodomy.

Deputy District Lawyer Beth Silverman instructed jurors “the defendant selected these victims [and] the defendant is sitting right here as a result of he is a serial killer … a sexual predator,” CNS reported.

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Keough died of strangulation and her physique was discovered amongst bushes close to an condominium advanced in Montclair, in San Bernardino County. Duggan died of asphyxiation and her physique was discovered within the trunk of a automobile in a Burbank car parking zone.

In closing arguments, Silverman argued the “sexually motivated homicides” had been “dedicated by the identical serial killer between 1981 and 1986” and claimed Vaultz was answerable for each as his DNA was discovered on or in each victims, who had been partially or absolutely nude on the time of their deaths, CNS reported.

Silverman mentioned “a ton of proof” factors “solely to the defendant,” in response to the report.

A Los Angeles Police Division car
(Los Angeles Police Division)

Vaultz, a former Marine who testified on his personal behalf, denied any wrongdoing.

“My semen means I could have had intercourse with the individual. It does not imply I killed them,” he mentioned through the trial, CNS reported.

When questioned about his DNA proof, he once more reiterated he didn’t kill the ladies: “I am telling you I did not kill anybody.”

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Damon Lamont Hobdy, Vaultz’s legal professional, argued the prosecution “did not show” his shopper murdered the ladies, CNS reported.

“If the proof reveals he isn’t responsible, which it does, do your obligation,” Hobdy instructed the jurors.

The murders of each girls went chilly for many years as modern DNA proof was not accessible on the time. 

Vaultz’s prosecution was the primary time Los Angeles County used investigative genetic family tree, the place detectives accessed business DNA databases and used DNA from a relative that led them to the suspect, former Los Angeles County District Lawyer Jackie Lacey beforehand mentioned.

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Vaultz was initially acquitted in 1988 for the killing of Janna Rowe, 25, as prosecutors mentioned present DNA proof was not accessible on the time. Whereas the case can’t be retried, it was used as “sample proof” within the present prosecution.

Rowe’s physique was discovered strangled and left in a pile of trash in Ventura County in 1986.

Sabrina Plourde, Keough’s sister, instructed reporters she was grateful for the continued investigation and the decision.

“I am feeling extremely grateful for everyone that helped us get thus far,” Plourde mentioned, CNS reported. “You suppose for thus a few years no person cares.”

“They do care they usually will not overlook they usually will not overlook in regards to the household when you’re lacking somebody,” she added.

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Vaultz was arrested throughout a site visitors cease by Burbank police in November 2019, as he was needed for the killings of Keough and Duggan.

He faces life in jail with out the potential for parole and is scheduled for a sentencing listening to on Sept. 19.

The Related Press contributed to this report.