BTK case taking many twists and turns

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BTK case taking many twists and turns

WICHITA, Kansas -- Sources tell KSN the BTK suspect has confessed to 10 killings. Right now, Park City resident Dennis Rader is behind bars at the Sedgwick County Jail on a $10 million bond. As the case develops, rumors abound.

There is a lot of different information through various media outlets and sources.

On Sunday night, the Associated Press reported the suspect had confessed to six killings. They further reported that police are investigating three more cases which could bring the total number of victims to 13.

Now the AP tells KSN their sources say they are investigating the possibility of three victims, which include two Wichita State students and a murder victim who lived near a BTK victim.

Monday morning’s Wichita Eagle quotes District Attorney Nola Foulston as stating the AP’s report of a confession is "patently false" and she states it’s an "unreliable source".

BTK author, Robert Beattie, commented about the possibility of three more cases.

"At the end of my book, which is already at the publisher, I talked about Dolores Davis, Marine Hedge and Sherry Baker," said Beattie. "There are other possible’s, including Linda Shawn Casey. Julie Ladd is considered a solved case but I mention that. But [in] the Sherry Baker case, there was a drawing sent afterwards apparently of how Sherry Baker was found which was what BTK did after Nancy Fox’s murder.So, that one has always been a suspicion. It was a violent death. The psychologist I spoke with said, probably whoever murdered Sherry Baker knew her.She was a nursing student at WSU, apparently at the same time the suspect was there."

Sherry Baker, 23, was killed in November 1974. KSN learned she was bound with rope, a similarity to the deaths of many known BTK victims. Baker was then stabbed to death.

The second WSU student is 31-year-old Linda Shawn Casey. She was bound, beaten and sexually assaulted.

Police found her body at her home in the 300 block of North Spruce. Again, the characteristics of how she died are similar to some known BTK victims.

As for an additional third victim, we are continuing to investigate that. All we know right now is the possible victim allegedly lived near another BTK victim.

Before Friday’s arrest of Dennis Rader, we knew of only eight murders linked to BTK. Now investigators say they have evidence tying in two more Sedgwick County cases.

The first involves 53-year-old Marine Hedge, who lived right down the street from Dennis Rader. She disappeared in April of 1985. A few days later, investigators found her car in Wichita and her body near 53rd Street North.

Dolores Davis was killed in her Park City home in 1991 then dumped under a bridge. For years after her murder, and as recently as last December, sheriff’s investigators doubted any connection to BTK.

"It was never finalized this was linked to BTK and I don’t believe that this is," said Captain Sam Houston in December.

But Sheriff Steed announced Saturday that the arrest of Dennis Rader has brought closure to the murders of Marine Hedge and Dolores Davis.

Steed would not say whether new evidence came from talking to the suspect or from items seized at his home and office.

Steed told KSN after Saturday’s news conference, "We continue to look at the facts and evidence, and over the years we have always looked at the similarities in these cases, we’ve always looked at the dissimilarities in those cases and always kept an open mind and considered the possibilities."

That brings BTK’s confirmed victim count to 10. Since there is no statute of limitations on murder, Dennis Rader could face all 10 charges.


Death penalty not an option

He cannot face the death penalty, however, because Kansas did not have capitol punishment at the time of the crimes.

No matter how many killings Dennis Rader is charged with, he cannot currently face the death penalty. Right now, it’s null and void in Kansas after the state Supreme Court ruled jury sentencing instructions unconstitutional.

That ruling removed all seven people from death row.

Also, Kansas did not have a death penalty law until 1994. It only covers the date the crime was committed not the day when charges are filed.

So as of today, the harshest punishment Dennis Rader could face is life in prison.


Computer disk tipped off police

Since his arrest, KSN has been reporting that computer technology tipped off police not his daughter. Sources tell KSN the suspect sent a computer disk in a letter to the Fox TV station.

From there, detectives were able to trace the suspect and then approach his daughter for a DNA sample.

Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline supports that information.

"To assume a family member came forward without specific knowledge could also place that person in a tremendous emotional difficulty, and to speculate regarding their lives, except that their lives are crushed with the knowledge of what is happening, would be improper and irresponsible," said Kline.


Evidence removed from Rader’s home

Over the weekend, KSN saw investigators remove a computer, printer and plastic container from Rader’s home -- possible evidence in the case.

We also captured investigators looking through items found in a shed behind Rader’s home. They include a pair of black pantyhose in a plastic bag. Police also found a yellow hard hat and some jewelry stored in a cylinder.

Finally, detectives removed a book. By slowing down the video, we were able to determine the title as: "100 Most Infamous Criminals."

That evidence could come into play when Dennis Rader goes to court. The district attorney’s office says his first court appearance will likely be Tuesday. The judge will then set a date for a preliminary hearing. Usually it’s about two weeks out but those hearings often get rescheduled.

At the preliminary hearing, the judge will decide if there’s enough evidence for Rader to stand trial. If there is, the judge will set a trial date.Video story: Who is Dennis Rader?

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