Rodger James DeVaul Jr., a 20-year-old White male, was one of the confirmed victims of convicted serial killer Randy Steven Kraft, also known as the 'Scorecard Killer.' DeVaul's death occurred on February 12, 1983, during the final months of Kraft's killing spree, which spanned over a decade and targeted young men across California and other states. Kraft was known for his brutal methods, often involving torture, sexual assault, and ligature strangulation.
DeVaul's murder was part of a series of killings that ultimately led to Kraft's arrest and conviction.
The body of Rodger James DeVaul Jr. was discovered under circumstances consistent with Kraft's modus operandi. Most of Kraft's victims were young White males, frequently in their late teens or twenties, and many were found near freeways, which earned Kraft one of his nicknames. DeVaul's death was included as count 18 in the indictment against Kraft, who was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder. Although Kraft was acquitted of the charge of sodomy against DeVaul, the jury found him guilty of DeVaul's murder and included it among the special circumstance allegations of multiple murder.
Randy Steven Kraft was arrested on May 14, 1983, just months after DeVaul's death. At the time of his arrest, investigators discovered a disturbing scorecard in Kraft's possession, containing cryptic entries believed to reference his victims. DeVaul's name was among those linked to the coded list. Kraft was eventually convicted of 16 counts of first-degree murder, including the murder of Rodger James DeVaul Jr., and sentenced to death. He remains incarcerated on death row in California.
The case of Rodger James DeVaul Jr., a 20-year-old White male, stands as one of the many tragic examples of Kraft's violent crimes. While the exact details of DeVaul's final moments remain limited, his inclusion in the prosecution's case and the jury's verdict underscore the brutality of Kraft's actions and the devastating impact on his victims and their families.
