Murder Inc. Exclusive: Was The Original Night Stalker Responsible for the Police Impersonation Murder of a Mather Airman and the Murder of EAR Victim #1’s Next Door Neighbor on October 29 1980?
At 2:00 pm on October 29 1980 two men posing as police officers knocked on the door of Mather airmen Craig Lederman and David Witmond’s Rancho Cordova apartment. They flashed a badge and then forced their way in at gunpoint. They made Craig Lederman kneel on the ground before hitting him on the head and knocking him out. When he came to, he heard a shot coming from his roommate David Witmond’s bedroom. Witmond was shot in the chest with a .22 and killed.
The suspects were described as in their 20’s, 5’11, one suspect weighing 160 wearing a greenish-brown jacket and green tennis shoes. The second suspect was wearing a red and white plaid shirt and blue tennis shoes, weighing about 170. Firearms, a television and stereo were stolen from the residence. A two door maroon or burgundy Honda Accord or Datsun was seen parked outside the home. The murder occurred across the street from Cordova High School during school hours on a Wednesday. Two men were wrongfully arrested by police and charges were dismissed.
The next day, Carl James was found bludgeoned to death in his home on Paseo Drive. He was found murdered in a kneeling position along with the baseball bat that was used to kill him. His home was in disarray and he is believed to have been killed on October 29, the night of the David Witmond murder. He lived in the house next door to the first East Area Rapist attack. A 16 year old boy was arrested for the Carl James murder but unclear if he was convicted.
October 20 1980 East Sacramento Rapist
October 29 1980 David Witmond Murder Rancho Cordova
David Witmond was murdered in his home across from Cordova High and Mills Middle School where DeAngelo graduated in the 1960’s
November 7 1980 Dale Lyn Mota & James Wootton Arrested (Charges Dismissed)
November 13 1980 David Witmond Murder Sacramento Bee Secret Witness
October 30 1980 Carl James Murder Rancho Cordova, CA
Carl James was murdered in his home next door to EAR victim #1
Murder, Inc. 