Rodney Alcala By Sophie Dilts

Background Info Born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala Buquor on August 23, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. (Nickname is Rodney) His father, Raoul Alcala Buquor abandoned the family when Rodrigo was young. His mother, Anna Maria Gutierrez, then moved him and his sisters, Christine and Marie to suburban Los Angeles when he was 12. Rodrigo joined the army in 1960 at age 17. He served as a clerk for four years. He was diagnosed in 1964 with antisocial personality disorder by a military psychiatrist and discharged on medical grounds. Alcala graduated from the UCLA School of Fine Arts in 1968 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During that same year, he kidnapped, raped, beat, and attempted to kill his first victim, 8-year-old Tali Shapiro.

Background Info (Continued) He studied film under Roman Polanski at New York University under the name John Berger. He lived undetected from 1968 to 1971, even though he was on the FBI’s most wanted list. During 1978 he appeared on The Dating Game and actually won the title of “Number 1 Bachelor.” He was already a convicted rapist and a registered sex offender but they still let him on the show. At this point in time he had already killed at least 2 women in California and 2 in New York. Alcala on the show, The Dating Game

Vocab: Rape: the crime of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will. Child Molestation: the crime, typically committed by a man, of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will Parole: the release of a prisoner before the completion of a sentence on the promise of good behavior. Crimes Crime Sentence Kidnapped, raped, and attempted to murder 8 year old Tali Shapiro (1968). Only charged for Child Molestation 1 year in prison, 34 months on parole Providing marijuana to 13 year old girl Two years in prison, released in 1977 Murder and Rape of Cornelia Crilley (1971) Death Sentence Murder and Rape of Ellen Hoover (1977) Murder of Robin Samsoe (1980) These are just the main victims. His actual victim count is unknown, it is believed to be anywhere from 8-150 victims. He has only been charged for seven murders.

Most Recent Crime: Robin Samsoe Murder Kidnapped and murdered 12 year old Robin Samsoe on her way to ballet class. Her body was found 12 days later in Los Angeles Evidence: Robin Samsoe’s earrings were found in a locker in Seattle rented by Alcala. Witnesses say a photographer stopped and asked to take pictures of Samsoe on the beach. There were photos of Samsoe and other young girls in the locker. Alcala’s lawyer could not produce witnesses to back up Alcala’s alleged alibi that placed him in another location during the time of Robin’s disappearance. After Samsoe disappeared and a composite was released of Alcala, he suddenly replaced the carpet in his car. Sentenced to death penalty. Overturned twice, but currently he is on death row. He was sentenced to death March 30, 2010 at San Quentin State Prison Vocab: Murder: the crime, typically committed by a man, of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will: Overturned: abolish, invalidate, or reverse a previous decision or situation.

Quote Nickname "This kind of case is something I've never experienced, hope to never again. I just want to say I hope these families find some peace and solace for these inexplicably brutal and horrific acts." -Judge Bonnie Wittner “The Dating Game Killer” Alcala was on a TV show called “The Dating Game” (he had already killed at least 2 women) He actually won the show, but the Bachelorette canceled the date because he was “creepy”

Differential-Association Theory Differential Association Theory is a theory determined by the company he/or she keeps. Rodney Alcala was sentenced to minor crimes before he started his murdering streak. While doing his time for things such as selling marijuana or child molestation, he could have talked to harder criminals. These criminals could have taught him how to murder and get away with it or told him what not to do. Alcala also went to UCLA School of Fine Arts and also New York University. It is possible that he could have made friends at either of these school that were also deviants. They could have influenced or taught him about committing crimes. Another focus of Differential Association Theory is the motives and drives of the criminal. Rodney’s father left his family when he was young, so it was just him, his mother, and his siblings. A possible motive could be that maybe Rodney’s mother neglected him or did not pay enough attention to him.

Cultural References Books: Movies/TV Shows There are actually quite a few books on Alcala, here are a few. The Dating Game Killer: The True Story of a TV Dating Show, a Violent Sociopath, and a Series of Brutal Murders” Rodney Alcala "The Dating Game Killer“ *No songs written about him* Alcala was on The Dating Game https://www.bing.com/videos/sear ch?q=Rodney+Alcala+Dating+Gam e&view=detail&mid=4DFAE90C0DE 1E2D0B9954DFAE90C0DE1E2D0B9 95&FORM=VIRE