Accused California genius serial killer to defend self in 30-year-old death penalty case

Accused killer to defend self in capital case

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Accused serial killer Rodney Alcala has been sentenced to death twice before in the murder of a 12-year-old girl and has decided to represent himself in his third trial in the case.

Both guilty verdicts in the killing of Robin Samsoe of Huntington Beach, Calif., in 1979 but were overturned on procedural matters.

In the trial starting Monday, prosecutors have added the 1970s murders of four Los Angeles County women to the case.

Experts say it’s rare for someone to defend themselves in a death penalty case and it’s very risky. The 66-year-old Alcala has a genius IQ and studied photography at UCLA.