Joseph DeAngelo masterfully employed 'verbal staging,' making calculated statements to victims that he knew would be relayed to law enforcement. This tactic, distinct from physical crime scene staging, was designed to plant misleading information and divert the investigation away from him, such as falsely claiming to drive a van or to be from Bakersfield.
Impact: High. This sophisticated manipulation highlights DeAngelo's cunning and understanding of investigative processes, making him exceptionally difficult to track. It demonstrates a psychological need to control the narrative even before capture.
In the source video, this keypoint occurs from 02:08:49 to 02:11:12.
Sources in support: Megyn Kelly (Host)

