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Penn's Jailhouse Terror: Near Miss with Night Stalker
23 Jul
Summary
- Sean Penn shared a jail cell near Richard Ramirez in 1987.
- Penn recalled guards leaving him alone with the serial killer.
- Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders and received 19 death sentences.
During a 1987 jail stay, actor Sean Penn was housed in close proximity to the infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez. Penn, sentenced to 60 days for reckless driving and assault, was placed in a cell near Ramirez's. He recalled feeling unsafe, stating he slept with one eye open.
Penn described a particularly unnerving encounter when he was briefly left alone with Ramirez during a phone call. The actor considered the possibility of acting against the serial killer but ultimately refrained, recognizing their shared humanity.
Ramirez was convicted of 13 murders, among other heinous crimes, and was sentenced to 19 death sentences. He died of illness in 2013 while awaiting execution, having served part of his sentence for a separate offense.
