Reason First: The Twisted Creature of Doom- Ted Bundy

Lead prosecutor George Dekel wanted to see serial killer Ted Bundy fry for his crimes. He compared the entire experience of bringing evidence against this monster to “pulling out fingernails with rusty pliers.”

Indeed the process of gathering and presenting the evidence in the Bundy case was long and arduous, and required the help and heroic dedication of multiple specialists in their respective fields. These intrepid souls permitted no nonsense in their quest for justice against Bundy. Dekel, Leon County Florida Sheriff Ken Katsaris, odontologists Drs. Lovell J. Levine and Richard Souviron, and psychiatric evaluator, Dorothy Otnow Lewis all showed damning evidence and in support of allegations that Bundy had brutally sexually assaulted and murdered tens of women and young girls. Specifically, Dr. Levine demonstrated that teeth marks on the left buttock of a victim belonged to Bundy, and Dr. Souviron identified bite marks made by Bundy as well. Their compelling testimony marked the first time dental records were admitted as evidence in a murder case, and set a precedent for its future use.

These heroes focused on the facts of the case. Across seven states from 1974 - 1978, Bundy did his worst. His disgusting display of destruction and malice played a role in the media’s attention attached to him. But the prosecution didn’t focus on the grisliness of Bundy’s viciousness, or attempt to sensationalize his actions. They stayed within the boundaries of the situation. By staying glued to the facts, these prosecutors conducted a thorough presentation to eliminate any doubts that Bundy committed these heinous crimes. They lasered in on the DNA, fibers found on Bundy’s clothes and the bodies, and Bundy’s psychiatric profile. Psychiatrist Lewis initially suggested Bundy was bipolar, but later changed her diagnosis to multiple personality disorder, but even that didn’t go far enough. Bundy’s behavior reflected psychosis more indicative of antisocial personality disorder (ASD). This diagnosis better fit the criminal’s inner psychotic deportment.

Special Agent William Hagmaier, representing the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, questioned Bundy for hours. He discovered that Bundy talked about murder with an almost religious fervor. He seemed to discuss it like it was a way of employing and revelling in faith. He described feeling a sense of oneness with his victim, explaining each murder of a woman or girl was like a “possession.” Bundy himself explained the separate phases in his criminology. He said in his early years, he had been an “amateur” killer who later devolved into a “prime” or “predator” killer. He continued elaborating on his own profile all the way up to the eve of his electrocution. Hagmaier was with him almost all the way to the end.

Before his date with death, Bundy blamed his crimes on everything but his own poor choices; he’d had an abusive grandfather, absent biological father, and discovering his actual parents’ identities late in life. He blamed sex and violence in the culture, and even the police, who he claimed planted evidence. Sheriff Kataris stood as the man who took Bundy into custody. Bundy had escaped capture and confinement twice before being under Kataris’ watch. The head policeman ensured that Bundy’s cell would be fitted with three locks and three keys maintained by three jail guards.

Bundy’s case will likely be studied for decades to come. What should be remembered are the women and girls that Ted Bundy snuffed out. Their memories should continue to burn in the souls of everyone who cares for human life, and the nature of figures like Bundy should be deliberated and discussed in lecture halls at universities and law enforcement academies so we may continue the downward trend of serial killers in America.