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November 05, 2003
Gary Leon Ridgway
"I killed so many women, I have a hard time keeping them straight."
-- Gary Leon Ridgway
As reported in the LAT.
King County Sheriff Dave Reichert said after the hearing that Ridgway is a suspect in several other unsolved slayings, and is a person of interest in murders in other counties. Ridgway told investigators he recalled killing as many as 54 women in King County. One source close to the investigation said Ridgway's victims list could grow by more than a dozen.
I don't have to tell you how to react to such an individual. But I think those who oppose the death penalty under all circumstances must have a hard time dealing with the fact of such people. I haven't heard of the Green River Killer and it's hard to imagine him surpassing other notorious killers in memory. On the other hand, maybe we'll learn something.
King County prosecutor Norm Maleng initially said he would never agree to a plea bargain for Ridgway. But he said he changed his mind after talking with investigators and victims' relatives who wanted the murders resolved. The plea agreement allowed authorities to close many more cases than if prosecutors had pursued a trial."This agreement was the avenue to the truth," Maleng said. "In the end, the search for truth is why we have a criminal justice system."
The lesson here seems to be that sometimes learning the truth is more important than shooting the messenger, even when the messenger is telling the awful truth about himself. In this case, Ridgway will live because prosecutors agreed to cut a deal that excluded the death penalty. I'm not sure that's a good lesson to be taught.
Posted by mbowen at November 5, 2003 08:54 PM
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Comments
I agree, it's not a good lesson at all. However, there is a solid pro-death penalty message here that is hidden in plain view: Ridgway only took the deal because he knew he'd fry if he didn't. I shudder to think what would have happened in his case if frying was not an option.
Posted by: Xrlq at November 7, 2003 11:03 PM
i thought his killings were cool and very fasinating. i really into him and Charles Manson.
Posted by: terry at January 22, 2004 11:52 AM
i thought he was so kool and i would want to be one of his victims anyday. just so i dont have to deal with this so called world iam stuck on.
Posted by: lauren at January 22, 2004 11:55 AM
Im going to out do him!
Posted by: bar-jonah at March 1, 2004 04:30 PM
all you people are stupid crazy and need to get a life
Posted by: ngfhmgc at April 6, 2004 08:46 AM