Norman Bernard
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Los Angeles County, California, USA
- Date of birth
- 1951
- Age at first offence
- 32
- Characteristics
- murder for hire, serial rapist
- Victim profile
- Anthony Cody, 34 / Milton Regzarrie, 52 / Bobby Joe Jones, 45 ( homeless men )
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- October-November 1983
- Years active
- 1983
- Date of arrest
- November 21, 1983
- Status
-
Life imprisonment
Pleaded guilty to three counts of murder "with special circumstances" and was sentenced to a term of life without parole on March 7, 1984
Case record: Norman Bernard
Background
Norman Bernard professed a desire "to help" homeless men, stating that he was "doing them a favor" by putting them out of their misery.
A black drifter from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Bernard attempted his first murder there on August 15, 1983.
The offence
Bernard accosted a drunken migrant worker, 58-year-old Manuel Diaz. Bernard shot Diaz once in the head with a small-caliber pistol. Afterward, Bernard severing the victim's penis for good measure.
Believing Diaz to be dead, Bernard fled across country and resumed his activities in Los Angeles.
On October 13, 1983, Anthony Cody, a 34-year-old transient, was shot and killed in Los Angeles with a small-caliber weapon.
Precisely one month later, an elderly "John Doe" victim was killed on Skid Row with the same gun.
The following day, November 14, 52-year-old Milton Regzarrie was shot twice in the head, but he managed to survive his wounds.
On November 20, Bobby Joe Jones, 45, was killed in the gunman's final attack.
Investigation
Arrested on November 21, the 32-year-old suspect led police on a tour of the shooting scenes, describing his crimes "in a matter-of-fact tone."
Surprised to learn that Manuel Diaz had lived through the attack in Fayetteville, Bernard confessed that crime on November 28.
Trial
Bernard led police on a tour of the shooting scenes and described his crimes "in a matter-of-fact tone."
Bernard confessed on November 28 that crime involving Manuel Diaz.
Sentencing
On March 7, 1984, Bernard pled guilty to three counts of murder "with special circumstances" in Los Angeles.
He was sentenced to a term of life without parole.
Outcome
Life without parole in California in 1984.
Other details
Michael Newton - An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers - Hunting Humans SEX: M RACE: B TYPE: N MOTIVE: PC MO: "Mercy" shootings of homeless men. DISPOSITION: Life without parole in California, 1984.
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