Richard L'Italien is a fictional character in the HBO series Oz. He is portrayed by Eric Roberts.
Biography[]
He appeared in the episode "Capital P" where he is put on death row for the murder of a woman named Jennifer Miller, although he later confesses to many additional murders. A misogynist, L'Italien is unrepentant of killing dozens of women, which somewhat shocks Father Ray Mukada, who goes out of his way to attempt to help L'Italien. L'Italien is also notable as the first prisoner in the series to be sentenced to death, as both Donald Groves and Jefferson Keane are serving life sentences for previous murders.
Season One[]
L'Italien is already on death row when Jefferson Keane is sentenced for murder within the prison and is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection a day after Keane's execution. L'Italien shows no remorse for his crime, and does not seem to take his sentence seriously. He nevertheless decides to appeal.
Once Keane is dead, Warden Leo Glynn informs L'Italien that his appeal has been denied. L'Italien then confesses again to Jennifer’s murder to a confused Glynn. L'Italien then reveals he previously killed another woman, but was never caught, Glynn says he'll tell the authorities, but L'Italien states he's not finished yet, and calmly lists the names of 37 more victims, all of which are women.
In conversation with Father Ray Mukada, L'Italien explains that, in his eyes, a true man is a "man of power" who is never controlled by anyone. He also reveals he used to frequently attend the Bohemian Grove, a men's club in San Francisco, until a Supreme Court ruling forced the club to admit women.
Murders committed[]
- 39 other women: All Smothered to death.
L'Italien reveals that he murdered his victims because he is afraid of being "owned" by a woman. Mukada realizes there is nothing more he can do for L'Italien except absolve his sins. As L'Italien is strapped down and injected, he becomes afraid and attempts to relax with a yo-yo which he has been playing with throughout his duration in the episode.