I just finished Robert Beattie's book, "Nightmare in Wichita: The Hunt for the BTK Strangler." I can overlook the misspellings and misplaced punctuation. I can understand the occasional glitch in chronology or consistency, given that the author, a Wichita attorney, had to frantically finish the book and get it to press once suspect Dennis Rader had been apprehended.
But what I cannot stomach are the last few pages when Beattie uses a parade of quotes by people close to the investigation to hammer readers over the head with the notion that if it weren't for Bob Beattie writing his book, BTK would've never resurfaced and Rader would still be living his suburbia dogcatcher existence.
The book started out as a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and persistence of law enforcement. It developed into a remembrance of the victims and their survivors. Then it ended as a rather vomitous, gloating, back-slapping display of self-centered limelight-hogging.
Reminded me a little of the showboating that Saturday morning, the day following Rader's capture, when the smug Chief Williams swaggered up to the podium and announced "BTK is Arrested," as though the world should cheer wildly at the brilliance of the police department—and the 50 zillion other law enforcement agencies and public officials who claimed credit for nabbing the bad guy. After all...it only took 30 years.
If it weren't for the maniacal, sadistic, murderous tendencies of a serial killer, the Oteros, Shirley Relford, Kathy Bright, Nancy Fox, Vicki Wegerle, Dee Davis, and Marine Hedge would still be alive. BTK sure sought public attention for that. Let's just hope Rader wants to take credit publicly, too.
People hoping for courtroom dramatics today will have to wait a while longer. This just in from The Wichita Eagle:
Rader waives hearing, to appear in court May 3
Updated: 9:23
Wearing shackles and a bulletproof vest under his gray striped suit, BTK suspect Dennis Rader waived his preliminary hearing this morning before Sedgwick County District Judge Greg Waller.
As a result, Waller said he found that there was probable cause to believe that Rader, 60, should be tried for the crimes with which he is charged.
He is charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder related to the notorious BTK serial killings, a case that has haunted Wichita for 31 years.
He is now scheduled to appear in court May 3 for arraignment, at which time he will be expected to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If he pleads not guilty, a trial date will be set at that time.
His hearing this morning lasted only a few minutes.
But what I cannot stomach are the last few pages when Beattie uses a parade of quotes by people close to the investigation to hammer readers over the head with the notion that if it weren't for Bob Beattie writing his book, BTK would've never resurfaced and Rader would still be living his suburbia dogcatcher existence.
The book started out as a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and persistence of law enforcement. It developed into a remembrance of the victims and their survivors. Then it ended as a rather vomitous, gloating, back-slapping display of self-centered limelight-hogging.
Reminded me a little of the showboating that Saturday morning, the day following Rader's capture, when the smug Chief Williams swaggered up to the podium and announced "BTK is Arrested," as though the world should cheer wildly at the brilliance of the police department—and the 50 zillion other law enforcement agencies and public officials who claimed credit for nabbing the bad guy. After all...it only took 30 years.
If it weren't for the maniacal, sadistic, murderous tendencies of a serial killer, the Oteros, Shirley Relford, Kathy Bright, Nancy Fox, Vicki Wegerle, Dee Davis, and Marine Hedge would still be alive. BTK sure sought public attention for that. Let's just hope Rader wants to take credit publicly, too.
People hoping for courtroom dramatics today will have to wait a while longer. This just in from The Wichita Eagle:
Rader waives hearing, to appear in court May 3
Updated: 9:23
Wearing shackles and a bulletproof vest under his gray striped suit, BTK suspect Dennis Rader waived his preliminary hearing this morning before Sedgwick County District Judge Greg Waller.
As a result, Waller said he found that there was probable cause to believe that Rader, 60, should be tried for the crimes with which he is charged.
He is charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder related to the notorious BTK serial killings, a case that has haunted Wichita for 31 years.
He is now scheduled to appear in court May 3 for arraignment, at which time he will be expected to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If he pleads not guilty, a trial date will be set at that time.
His hearing this morning lasted only a few minutes.
Comments
I just got finished with the book about Ruth Finley, "Little Girl Fly Away." This also contains a plethora of misspellings and bad grammar but minus the egotistical factor. I recommend it.