FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2018
For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115
GLENVILLE, WV – Last May, recent Glenville State College criminal justice graduate Tori Peterson was selected to participate in a summer internship with the Orange County (California) District Attorney’s Office. Peterson was an Investigative Assistant Intern and, as part of her duties, was assigned to the Golden State Killer (GSK) task force where she worked under Investigator Erika Hutchcraft.
The ongoing work of that task force, along with other investigators, paid off recently with the arrest of former police officer Joseph DeAngelo. Authorities believe DeAngelo to be the Golden State Killer, who committed scores of crimes in California between 1974 and 1986 including 12 murders, approximately 50 rapes, and over 100 burglaries.
The now 72-year-old DeAngelo was arrested by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department on April 24.
“This was an incredible opportunity and I am so blessed to be able to help continue on this case. Glenville State College has propelled me to further my education in numerous ways,” Peterson said. “Glenville’s Criminal Justice program not only played a part in being selected on the GSK case, but also getting fifteen law school offers,” she added.
Peterson will be attending Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law this fall while also continuing on the GSK task force during breaks.
“I can’t make a comment about DeAngelo or the current facts of the case, but I will say that the victims of this case deserved justice, and it is an unbelievable feeling to know that I was able to help bring that to them,” Peterson said.
“Ms. Peterson is an exceptional student who exhibits a strong work ethic that reflects the caliber of students graduating from the Criminal Justice program at Glenville State College. To have had the experience to work on a task force in the Golden State Killer case is a tremendous opportunity. To be collectively involved as a team member and providing input into the case is profound. Without question, Ms. Peterson will undoubtedly bring positive social change in criminal justice when she graduates and steps out into her chosen career,” said Ken Lang, Chair of GSC’s Department of Criminal Justice.
During her time at GSC, Peterson was a member of the College’s Acrobatics and Tumbling Team and the criminal justice fraternity Sigma Pi Xi in addition to serving as a Resident Assistant.
