DA Will Seek Death Penalty Against Golden State Killer Suspect Joseph DeAngelo

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty against the Golden State Killer suspect Joseph DeAngelo.

The accused Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist was back in Sacramento County court early Wednesday afternoon for a settlement conference. Six district attorneys agreed to consolidate the case to Sacramento.

DeAngelo appeared in court for the brief hearing where the DAs announced they would seek the death penalty in the event he is convicted.

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Prosecutors believe 73-year-old DeAngelo killed 13 people and raped dozens in six California counties in the 1970s and 80s.

DeAngelo was taken into custody nearly one year ago.

Last time he was in court, the judge noted that the case against DeAngelo is so extensive that it could last a decade and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

The death penalty remains in limbo in California, however, with Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed an executive order placing a moratorium on executions, calling the punishment "a failure."

Voters narrowly approved a ballot measure in 2016 to try and speed up the punishment. While there are 737 inmates currently on California death row, the state hasn't executed anyone since 2006.

After Gov. Newsom's order, the lethal injection chair was removed from San Quentin State Prison and the death chamber was closed.