Pamela Vitale: Arrest In Murder of Horowitz Spouse

A damned teenager.

The name of the suspect was not released. Investigators were trying to determine the motive for the slaying, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jimmy Lee said in announcing the arrest.

The suspect lived near the hilltop estate being constructed by Horowitz and his wife, Pamela Vitale, the San Francisco Chronicle and The Contra Costa Times reported on their Web sites, citing law enforcement sources.

Investigators believe the killing was related to a scheme that involved using stolen credit card numbers to fund a marijuana growing operation, an unidentified law enforcement source told the Chronicle.

The source said the boy had ordered equipment for the pot growing operation and mistakenly thought the supplies were delivered to Horowitz and Vitale's home.

The source said the suspect went there Saturday to look for the equipment and got in a fight with Vitale, allegedly striking her dozens of times in the head with a piece of crown molding that was left behind at the crime scene.

Comments

[kin]

Dan..He hit her over 39 times in the head and carved some Gothic shit on her back that her INNOCENT husband saw when her found her body.

[kin]

Can we say "shit" here? If not, I'm sorry! but I think this really sucks for a man as decent, kind, and mellow as Dan Horowitz.

[Bitsey]

There's more to the story, no doubt. Checking on a package delivery shouldn't result in 39 deadly blows.

[musicgirlms]

There is a very detailed description of latest events on the Web site of the San Francisco Chronicle. It includes the teenager's name.

What a senseless and unfair death for this lady. It is sickening.

[Moggy]

http://www.sfgate.com/flat/archive/2005/10/20/chronicle/archive/2005/10/20/MNGHFFBCM713.html

[kin]

Bitsey..The more to the story most likely involves SATANTIC CULT crap!

[splashtc]

Shoot him and burn his body!

[Fran]

OMG! Who can confirm something was carved in her back and the amount of blows to her head??? That is sickening. Who does that? Why would somebody do that??

[cmroy21]

On our local news channel the report states that there were signs that she put up quite a struggle. I guess he had scratches on his arms and legs. He was worried about getting caught for using a stolen credit card.

[cmroy21]

Updated Link

http://www.kcra.com/news/5133669/detail.html

[sophie]

There must be more to the story. What a sick twisted mind.

My heart goes out to her family.

[Jan]

This is such a horrific crime - even Nancy Grace has had me choked up - so sad - Daniel is truly one of the good guys - I feel so badly for him!

[kin]

Greta and her BOYS were so sure last night it had to be a FAMILY member because of the long shower after the murder. They didn't come out and say "DAN" but they reeked of it. Now that they know it was a teenager who was too stupid to get the hell out, too high, mentally disturbed, or all three!, will they make any mention of this? I hope so.

They also had been hinting at DAN because of the clothes she was wearing when she 'supposedly' opened the door. I hope they mention how WRONG they were about this too!

[sensible]

San Francisco Chronicle has released the name. Good writeup online.

[Geezo]

"Daniel is truly one of the good guys"?????

Do I need to remind you that this man is a criminal defense attorney. He devoted his life to helping people like his wife's killer escape justice. Brutal killers, drug dealers, and nefarious mobsters financed his palatial mansion on the hill.

Although I feel terrible for the family and friends of this innocent woman, let's not get carried away with the canonizing of a creepy lawyer.

[Kelly3]

I was suspecting Dan of this horrible murder. Those interviews that he gave were painful to watch. I am relieved that it wasn't him. I had always thought of Dan as a kind and gentle soul. I feel very bad for his loss and for the last days that people like myself thought he may have done this. I am truly sorry. The biggest lesson I have learned is that people grieve in different ways and not to judge. Godspeed Pam! Prayers for DH, family and all who love her. I hope some peace and comfort come to them with this arrest and knowing justice will come.

[SFBuff]

This is nuts... something you would never imagine. I would like all the "know it alls" that immediately accused Dan Horowitz to take a moment and feel this man's pain. Re-read your posts and feel for him and his family. I am in shock of the outcome. I am glad they solved it so quickly for his sanity and to shut some people up.

[teresa]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172905,00.html

What would make him think the merchandise was delivered to their address? What a sick kid. If you call him a kid.

[Jan]

Anyone that thought Daniel could have done this is totally nuts - that one horrible commentator last nite insinuated since she went to the door in her undies she had to be meeting a lover - or Daniel - what low lifes people can be. This man was in more pain than I have ever seen in his interview with Abrahms last nite - and the Fox people did a horrible job with their coverage - guess he just wasn't one of their "friends" well too bad he is a fine upstanding lawyer and you can tell he is a caring person - so sad - I doubt he will ever recover or care about much again - such a senseless crime!

[Sweetie]

He's barely a young man, 16, maybe he was on something if he's that much into drugs, mushrooms or something. Tragic, horrible death. Poor lady.

[Jan]

Anyone that thought Daniel could have done this is totally nuts - that one horrible commentator last nite insinuated since she went to the door in her undies she had to be meeting a lover - or Daniel - what low lifes people can be. This man was in more pain than I have ever seen in his interview with Abrahms last nite - and the Fox people did a horrible job with their coverage - guess he just wasn't one of their "friends" well too bad he is a fine upstanding lawyer and you can tell he is a caring person - so sad - I doubt he will ever recover or care about much again - such a senseless crime!

[Sweetie]

He's barely a young man, 16, maybe he was on something if he's that much into drugs, mushrooms or something. Tragic, horrible death. Poor lady.

[Jan]

Anyone that thought Daniel could have done this is totally nuts - that one horrible commentator last nite insinuated since she went to the door in her undies she had to be meeting a lover - or Daniel - what low lifes people can be. This man was in more pain than I have ever seen in his interview with Abrahms last nite - and the Fox people did a horrible job with their coverage - guess he just wasn't one of their "friends" well too bad he is a fine upstanding lawyer and you can tell he is a caring person - so sad - I doubt he will ever recover or care about much again - such a senseless crime!

[curious]

This was posted above. If you missed it, here it is again. The best article so far.

Many details in this latest news article, including the name of the 16-year old who was arrested:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/20/MNGHFFBCM713.DTL

[Captain Joe]

Pic of arrested boy. Real goth type.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/

[angela]

Really creepy picture. This is really sad. I saw alot of people jumping to the conclusion that the husband was guilty. That is sad as well.

[curious]

Kin,

Greta was on earlier today and mentioned how she had suspected Daniel, the construction workers, Joe Lynch, and anyone else who had access to the house. She stated it was normal to suspect relatives and people close to the victim.

The reality is that's how it is with any murder case, so I don't fault her for the way she thinks or for anything she said on her nightly shows. Nobody knew the real facts in this case until today, and I'm sure if she had known about the 39 blows and the Gothic insignia on Pamela's back, she would not have suspected Daniel for a minute. If you have to blame someome, blame the police for not releasing these details until today, not Greta.

[kin]

OMG! That kid is freaking SCARY looking!

Fox WAS ready to burn Dan at the stake. Btw! Catherine Crier just said none of Dan's "friends" at CourtTV believed he was capable of such a thing and that is what they've been saying all along.

I've always felt that Dan defended the 'worst of the worst' on tv because he didn't want to believe anyone could be truly EVIL and that everyone had to have a GOOD side. (He said he felt strongly that ALL deserved to be represented) If my vibes are right, I don't see how he can possibly feel the same way now.

I don't know who he's actually represented in court but most of the 'worst of the worst' have NO money so he wasn't getting "RICH" from them.

[kin]

curious..I will cut Greta a tiny bit of slack. She said unless it was a "kook" the long shower after the murder definitely pointed to a family member. That meant DAN! As it turns out, she was right about the "kook" but at the time she didn't look at all like she believed that was the culprit.

[!]

The kid has to be a demon to do something like that. How many more will have to die before people wake up and start taking notice of kids with strange behaviors ? How many more are lurking out there right now ?
Obviously his up and coming pot growing scheme and thief of credit card statements to pay for it all were more important than the life of this lady. He was a desperate kid looking for his shipment. What a waste of a life because of his upcoming new life of crime.
Just horrific !! God bless the family and friends of Dan Horiwitz and Pamelas children and other famaily members on her side. Its too sad to imagine.

[---]

It sounds like she opened the door just an inch (because of how she was dressed) to ask the boy why he was there and then he pushed into the house. Maybe he snapped when she denied having his packages because he thought she was lying. And he was probably on drugs when he did it, that would explain the high level of violence, over-kill.

What a tragedy for her family and friends.

[SFBuff]

Curious -

The police were right not to release confidential information in this case. How can you say it is "THEIR" fault for not releasing it. They were obviously right not to release it - it is already solved. Should they have released it to the public who has nothing at stake? Because we are nosy? Suck it up- you were wrong, so quit defending yourself and those who pointed the judgemental finger (it snapped right back and pointed at you)... without ANY facts! While it is fine to have an opinion and speculate... It is best to have facts and realize that this isn't a game of Clue, but someone's LIFE!

[kin]

You go Dan Abrahms! He saw the same thing many of us did. Those other cable news shows ("you know who you are!") so quick to send this devastated husband to the electric chair and he was just as disturbed and disgusted as we were and still are.

[jilyjam]

I'd like to know what went wrong in the young man's life between 7th and 8th grade to make him turn "Goth". Clearly the description of where he lives doesn't paint a pretty picture. I feel for poor Horowitz and his entire family.

[Suzie Q]

I'd be surprised if info doesn't come out regarding Pamela Vitale and this teenager -- meaning, that they were lovers. Otherwise, why would she have opened up the door to him when in her sleeping shirt and underwear?

[bama1991]

Suzie Q, you are way out of line! What an evil accusation of a dead woman--who can't defend herself!

That wicked, demented teen should be tried as an adult and locked up for the rest of Eternity. It's a miracle he hasn't blown up a school or shot his parents, etc. He looks like the face of pure evil. Parents who let their kids act and dress like that boy should be held just as accountable.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the family of Pamela Vitale.

[KatieJo]

This young man may very well be the killer, but so far we don't have enough information to send him to the executioner. In this country we still have a trial to judge people. I didn't think we had enough information to suspect anyone before and right now I am not willing to convict this young man until I hear a few more facts not rumors from the police department. Some posters seem to want to fore go the trial process and hang anyone the police arrest. Well, for me I don't trust the police enought to kill just because they say someone is a murderer.

[kin]

SuzieQ..You've seen this FREAKS picture right? How can you even go there! Besides that, this UGLY scenario probably didn't include her opening the door and inviting him in.

[Aunt Em]

Gimme a break Suzie Q. Seriously. I agree with another poster, she probably opened the door an inch or so to say "WHAT"?? More likely he woke her in their TRAILER, which arent very large and he was looking in the windows anyway while he was knocking, the kid is a kook, and just the 39 blows to her tells me he was manic.

[Captain Joe]

The symbol the goth creep carved on Pam was a cross of loraine

[Aunt Em]

How do you know that Joe?

[Captain Joe]

Are there any goth blogs saying anything about this?

[Captain Joe]

Nancy Grace said it on CNN at about 7:10

[Pearl]

Why would she open the door ... he is someone who lives less than a mile from them per canyon trail... he's only 5'5" weighing 110 lbs. per reports ... he's "just a kid"...and her husband had helped the family in some legal matter...this per reports SFGate.com and others.
She either felt safe to open a crack and see what he wanted or she saw him doing something suspicious and confronted him as a juvenile doing something he shouldn't...perhaps the mail stealing issue the neighborhood was experiencing or indeed if happening right after her husband left perhaps she thought it was him returning for something and it just didn't occur to her that it would have been anyone else.
Hopefully we will get all the answers soon as this "Scott" is under arrest.
It is the saddest thing that another vibrant life has been lost over such foolish desires of a 16 yr. old to grow pot and steal credit cards and such from persons mail to finance it. My God, when will the madness stop!

[Kat_Gram]

Suzie Q.

You need an I Q

[carolina]

Lillyjam:

As a former Lamorinda resident (a commonly used achronym for the area that combines Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda, I can tell you that it is an extremely affluent community with many wealthy people. This kid was probably extremely priviledged, and not unlike many in the area, so I don't know what you're referring to above regarding where he lived didn't paint a "pretty picture." It is truly one of the most beautiful communities in the Bay Area, with an excellent public school system from which many go directly into university afterwards.

There are many kids into Goth who would never ever do anything like this, so let's not generalize.

[New Creature]

Steve Huff is naming the suspect on his site. Check it out.

[New Creature]

Here's the link:
http://www.planethuff.com/darkside/archives/001141.html#trackbacks

[Pearl]

One of the news sites mentions the home by saying could see clothes on a clothsline, a few chickens in the yard and bicycle parts lying around. Assuming they are portraying a picture of less affluent dwelling. Dirt poor or filthy rich, there is nothing to excuse taking a life for growing pot and stealing credit cards or anything else I can think of.
To kill her, cut a Goth signature into her flesh, go drink a glass of water, wash his hands in the sink, take a long, long shower and leave clothes that have been washed with Oxyclean...there is absolutely nothing in these reports that indicates shock or remorse or regret for his actions. Perhaps something will come out that will attempt to provide something but I will have great troubling accepting let alone believing or forgiving such a horrific violent and unfeeling killing of a poor woman bothering nobody alone inside her own home.

[New Creature]

OOOPS! I mean....HERE's the link:

http://www.planethuff.com/darkside/archives/001142.html