Feb. 27 NEW MEXICO: Death-penalty debate comes for the governor Ending the death penalty, as an Albuquerque legislator seeks to do with House Bill 576, could save lives. But state and national political professionals say any governor who signs such legislation could be signing his own political death warrant. And that's especially true, pundits say, for a governor, like New Mexico's Bill Richardson, who has national ambitions. "That bill is deadly to his campaign if he becomes a candidate for president," Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said in a telephone interview last week. "It's a no-win proposition for him. He needs to make certain that bill never makes it to his desk." For years, Richardson repeatedly has stated he supports capital punishment as long as it has sufficient safeguards to prevent the innocent from being lethally injected. But he hasn't specified whether he'd actually veto a repeal bill if the Legislature passed one. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gail Beam, an Albuquerque Democrat, still has a long way to go to reach Richardson's desk. HB 576, which would replace capital punishment with a sentence of life in prison without parole, cleared the House Judiciary Committee last week on a 6-3 vote. The committee vote means the full House of Representatives will for the 1st time in years consider a bill to repeal the state's death-penalty law. And Beam points out her bill has 34 co-sponsors, including four Republicans. She also says 3 or 4 other representatives have said they will support it. 36 votes are needed to pass the bill in the House. If passed, the bill would go to the Senate, which 4 years ago came within a 1-vote margin of passing a death-penalty ban. However, such a bill could have a harder time this year in the Senate. The sponsor of the 2001 death-penalty bill, Senate Democratic Leader Manny Aragon, is gone. His seat was filled with a capital-punishment supporter, Sen. James Taylor, D-Albuquerque. "I truly believe it is a deterrent," Taylor said last week. "With DNA technology, I don't think it's quite as easy these days to execute an innocent person." Only one person has been legally executed in New Mexico in the past 45 years. Terry Clark, who raped and murdered a child in Artesia in 1986, was executed by lethal injection in the prison south of Santa Fe in 2001. But if the bill does pass the Legislature, Richardson would be in a dilemma, Sabato said. If Richardson signs a death-penalty repeal, "it would help him get the Democratic nomination, but it would hurt him badly in the (general election)," Sabato said. Couldn't a master politician like Richardson spin such an action as being a courageous political move? "I've learned that courage and principles will get you the John F. Kennedy Portraits in Courage award," Sabato said, "but it will not get you elected to office." Republicans surely would use the issue against any Democratic governor who signed a repeal, Sabato said. But vetoing such a bill could anger liberal Democrat activists who play a large role during presidential-primary season, he noted. "This is 1 of the 4 big hot-button issues," he said, listing abortion, gay rights and gun control as the others. Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff, president of Research and Polling Inc., agreed. "The death penalty is one of those emotional issues often used against Democrats," he said. In their efforts to sway votes at the Roundhouse this year, supporters of a repeal are arguing that families of crime victims would be helped by ending executions. Beam is sponsoring additional bills that would fund services for victims' families, which she says could be paid for by eliminating the high cost of prosecuting death-penalty cases. Those who favor the death penalty, however, say the possibility of being executed might be the only thing that keeps an inmate serving a life sentence from killing corrections officers or other inmates. "I'm sure in the Legislature they are arguing the issue more rationally, looking at facts and statistics and the possibility that an innocent person could be executed," Sanderoff conceded. "But that's not the case in a political campaign. Rational argument is no match against 30-second TV spots that push emotional, cultural and social buttons." Death-penalty opponents in recent hearings have argued that polls show there is diminishing support for capital punishment if life in prison without parole is a possibility. But Sanderoff, who has polled for years on the issue in New Mexico, said that a majority of people still supports legal executions. "Catholics, Hispanics, women, Democrats and people who live in north-central New Mexico are less supportive," he said, "but even among these groups, a majority or plurality still supports it." In New Mexico -- and some other areas in the country -- the swing vote tends to be moderate to conservative Democrats, and these people tend to support the death penalty, Sanderoff said. "Bill Richardson has preached at a national level how Democrats should position themselves in a more moderate stance," he said. "This is a classic issue for a Democrat to retain moderate credentials. One would think twice before abolishing the death penalty." (source: The New Mexican) KANSAS: Transcript of the news conference Mayor Carlos Mayans: Good morning. Thank you for being here with us. I want to especially thank the families for being here today with us. I would like to recognize my colleagues in the City Council. Vice Council Carl Brewer, Council persons Bob Martz, Sue Schlapp, Mr. Gray, Mr. Lampke and Sharon Fearey. As you know with a group this large I'm going to miss some, so I'm going to count on the chief to fill in those which I missed. Congressman Tiahrt is on the way. He's a little bit delayed. U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren is here today. Also Phill Kline, Attorney General; Larry Welch, KBI; Kevin Stafford, FBI; Nola Foulston, District Attorney, and State Senator Carolyn McGinn. It has been a very long journey that has brought us to this day. It certainly has been a challenge. The national spotlight has been shining upon us. Through diligence, tenacity, determination and just plain good police work, the men and women of the Wichita Police Department have once again made us proud of their accomplishments. Today I stand a proud mayor of the city of Wichita and our police department. I am proud of our Police Chief Norman Williams, Lt. Kenneth Landwehr and the members of our Wichita Police Department who have put thousands and thousands of hours into this senseless and horrendous series of crimes that plagued our city many years ago. This has not been an easy task. Our fine police Department has been at many times been questioned. Their competence questioned. Their actions were often second-guessed. But all the while, these officers were steadfast in their commitment to solve the biggest police case in Wichita history. We knew that these officers were doing their job and that one day this madness would end. I would now like to ask our team of experts, led by our Police Chief Norman Williams to brief you on the case, known as the BTK. Chief? Police Chief Norman Williams: Whew! Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today is a very historic day for the Wichita Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the District Attorney's office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sedgwick County Forensic Center, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, and also to the city of Park City, Kansas, who have been instrumental in helping us in the past several days. The bottom line, BTK is arrested. (Standing ovation). To the task force members, outstanding job. Outstanding. Please stand and be recognized. You know this has been the most intense and challenging investigation in the entire history of the Wichita Police Department. When you look back on March 2004, when we began to receive our first correspondence, we knew that we had a very challenging and very tiring road ahead of us. But then when you look at what drove us, it was a commitment we made to the families and friends of the victims. We knew that we had to get to this day. We knew that we had to do everything in our power to bring about resolution and justice. And that is what we set our sites on. When you look at this investigation, it wasn't about one department. It wasn't about two departments. It was about the law enforcement community coming together with one goal and one goal only, to identify and apprehend BTK. And doggone it, we did. We did. As I mentioned to you, it was a law enforcement team effort. And before I continue with my comments, I'm going to introduce some of the key members that make up this law enforcement team. The first person I'm going to ask to address you is Ms. Nola Foulston. Despite the challenges of her office, and despite all the things going on, Ms. Foulston and several of her key staff were with us from day one. They were with us during the briefings over the last 12 months. They were with us during the criticism. Ms. Foulston stepped forward to correct the media and provide direction to community despite inaccurate information. Ms. Foulston. District Attorney Nola Foulston: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today to this very important meeting of our community, and to bring together those individuals who have waited so long over these past decades for a resolution to a very trying time in our community and in the criminal justice system. I would be remiss if I didn't point to, not only wonderful members of the task force, other members of our law enforcement community, from our local, state and federal partners, but also to the partners of our task force members, to the wives and families who have been working along side of our law enforcement officers and I see them in this group as well. And I thank you too, ladies and gentlemen, for the time you have lent us your spouses to do this very difficult work and you are wonderful ladies and wonderful gentlemen, you have lent us your husbands and your wives in this very important investigation for our community. I also look around me and I see some of the wonderful law enforcement people that I have worked with. I started in law enforcement as an assistant district attorney in 1976, shortly after the Otero murders had occurred. And as an assistant district attorneys, one of the most horrible things that had happened was that I was in the office at the time of the Nancy Fox homicide. But I was privileged to work with Chief LaMunyon and members of his staff as they began the long and arduous task of working with our community in an attempt to solve and put together the long investigation that was to commence at that time. And with what they had at that time, they gathered evidence and worked day and night with their task force. And so in those years, I'm even thankful to this day. Chief LaMunyon, thank you for your work and your dedication. And now comes the time when this investigation is still in the hands of law enforcement. And so the inquiry becomes: what happens next? As we work along side of law enforcement it is our responsibility to work with them in a legal capacity, to assist them in questions of law, not to direct their investigation, but to be their partners and as the chief law enforcement office in this community. To assist them in making sure that legal issues are completed in a timely fashion and that they are done properly. It is our job to oversee and to watch for those legal matters, to make sure that things are done correctly. And so we monitor those issues and then this matter is at a point in time when the investigation has concluded turned over to the office of the District Attorney for its final review. At that time, members of the law enforcement community will present their case, their evidence, their information, all that they have over to the office of the District Attorney. And at that time, my staff will make determinations as to what charges, if any, will be filed in the District Court of Sedgwick County, Kansas. In that effort following this case for the years as it has been in process in the law enforcement community have been the brightest and the best of prosecutors from my office. In the last year since the reemergence of the individual, of the John Doe serial killer, I have appointed and have maintained a confident and extraordinarily qualified prosecution staff to work with law enforcement 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And those prosecutors have been named to assist me in the prosecution of any case that will be filed as the result of this investigation. Please let me introduce to you Chief Deputy Assistant District Attorney Kim Parker. I'm sure you're all well acquainted with Ms. Parker. She and I tried the state of Kansas vs. Jonathan and Reginald Carr to its successful conclusion. In this particular case, I needed some fighting Irish. I, therefore, have asked and received the assistance of Deputy District Attorney Kevin O'Connor, the head of my criminal division. So that is the trial team and the 3 of us will be the prosecutors of this case. We will be reviewing this case and looking at each and every piece of evidence that has been brought to us in making our determination. Now I have to tell you that in the prosecution of any criminal case we must look at the statute of limitations that applies to a case. The statute of limitations on most criminal cases runs after 2 years. Those charges that are older than 2 years may not be prosecuted. However, there is no statute of limitations on the crime of homicide. However, in the state of Kansas you will know that the death penalty in the state was not introduced until the later, past years, 1994. Prior to that date, no death penalty applies to cases of homicide. In the recent past, the state of Kansas vs. Michael Marsh eradicated the death penalty in the state of Kansas. And at this time the death penalty is in abeyance for those crimes that occurred from the date of that case forward. There have been no allegations of crimes that have occurred subsequent to the Marsh case. So any crimes that have occurred in a case prior to 1994 are not eligible for the death penalty. Any crimes of homicide that have occurred at any point in time are eligible to be considered for filing. Any other charges that are not in a window of opportunity of two years cannot be charged. That is the basic information with regard to the charging of criminal indictments. I would also like to tell you that while one would like to give you every bit of information that we can possibly tell you to alleviate any questions to give you all the information that we possibly could to put your mind at ease, the law provides that we cannot give you information with regard to any statements made, any evidence that has been used in the case, any forensic sciences that have been used. Once the case has been closed by investigation we are sealing our files. We will not be discussing our case because as you know we want the case to proceed through the justice system so that any case that is filed remains as pristine as it can be and that any conviction that may be given is given in the most constitutional manner. And, therefore, we will not be discussing this case publicly after any charges that might be filed are filed with the courts and I hope that you understand that. We will, however, have a website with the District Attorney's Office. And on that website will be posted only the most basic of information regarding this case. And at the time when a complaint and information is filed it will be accessible on the website and you will be getting further instructions regarding that. There also will be a dedicated communication line to the District Attorney's office with a private number for individuals who call with the media for a daily update on changes that may be made regarding status of the case. And that is the basic information that we can give you. That is the basics of things that will be happening within the next period of time. And I give you this information so that you have that for your confer today but mainly to be here today to say thank you to a community that has responded to the law enforcement. And with a smile on my face, thank you to the media for being here today and to be able to report what is being told to you today without having to scramble any place to get the information except for those who give it to you freely, willingly and voluntarily. Thank you. Police Chief Norman Williams: I would like to ask the Kansas Attorney General, Mr. Phill Kline, if would like to make any comments. Before he does, I'd just like to say to Mr. Kline, thank you. In December, when the Wichita Police Department was criticized for inappropriately entering a residence, Mr. Kline, at a news conference, very boldly stated that he had confidence in the Wichita Police Department, that they were doing a good job, and that was it. So I just want to say thank you, sir, for your comments. Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline: My confidence was well-placed. Congratulations Wichita. The perseverance and dedication to truth and justice has made Kansas proud. On this day, the voice of justice is heard in Wichita. And due to the dedication of the community, and the commitment to duty of literally hundreds of law enforcement officers across this nation, victims whose voices were brutally silenced by the evil of one man, will now have their voices heard again. Justice alone cannot bring healing. For justice cannot undo that which never should have happened in the first place. And so our prayers, our thoughts, and our hearts go out to those family members, who at the hands of one evil man have had a life sentence of agony and pain. Justice, however, can give us hope. The hope that we can prevent such evil in the future, the hope that right will eventually prevail, the hope that if our dignity and our rights are violated, there will be someone who cares and who is concerned enough that they will pursue the ends of justice, whether that pursuit takes one year or 30 years. The full story of this investigation, as the district attorney said, cannot be made known now in order to protect the integrity of the judicial process and to protect innocent persons. In fact, the full story really will never be known. But as the story is told, let me tell you of some things that you will learn. You will learn of a community that came together to overcome fear with action. If you desire, you will learn of neighbors who watched homes for neighbors, those who stepped into dark driveways and parking lots to ensure the safety of those who were cautious and afraid. Of the significance of the eyes and ears of a community that provided reasonable and meaningful tips and of a law enforcement agency and task force that investigated every lead. Of a mayor of a community and its City Council that resolutely expressed determination for the right results and who stood firmly behind the efforts of their community's law enforcement officials and whose passion inspired all involved. I've spoken often to the mayor about this case. And mayor, thank you, for your leadership. Of a congressman who ached for his community and turned his concerns into actions by moving critical legislation through Congress, which greatly assisted this effort. So Congressman Tiahrt deserves our appreciation. You will learn of a remarkable team of law enforcement personnel who came together under remarkable circumstances to approach this investigation with tireless dedication, unparalleled professionalism and incredible humility to what is right and true. A team of all jurisdictions. The Wichita Police Department, led by a tremendous leader in Chief Williams, and which is comprised of some tremendous law enforcement officials, including the man who led this effort and who never gave up in his pursuit and a man who deserves our full appreciation, Lt. Ken Landwehr. A team that included members of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, led by the best director of such a bureau in the nation, Director Larry Welch. And a cold case squad that includes a man that I know now of as a friend, Mr. Larry Thomas. And is directed by a man that does not rest until justice is served, Mr. Ray Lundeen. You will learn the importance of the Wichita lab and the KBI lab and a woman in the KBI lab by the name of Cindy Schuler. You will learn of remarkable technology and you will learn of our appreciation for all of those jurisdictions that assisted. You will learn of a Federal Bureau of Investigation that provided significant and meaningful assistance in virtually every category of the investigation and the leadership of the special agent in charge of the Kansas City field office, Mr. Kevin Stafford. Of the dedicated efforts of Sheriff Steed and his leadership within the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office. And you will learn how this team together under tremendous media pressure who in a matter of only 11 months were able to solve heinous crimes since the latest communication, the oldest crime of which occurred over 30 years ago. And will come face-to-face with evil, if you desire. The horrific knowledge of what this evil did, and the knowledge that this law enforcement team and the family members have been burdened with every day since this investigation began. All investigations involve delicate information and especially one of this type. There are demands from media for greater information and others. But you will learn if you allow of how this team properly balanced the need for public safety and the need for public assistance with privacy in order to protect the innocent by not revealing sensitive information and in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. And you will come also to know of the office of a competent and professional district attorney who is well suited to ensure that justice is served, and that is District Attorney Nola Foulston. This story, as of all stories of justices achieved, is a story of our best brought out by the necessity of the worst of mankind. And our best will prevail. Next to being a husband to my wife, the father of my daughter, the greatest honor I've had is to serve with these men and women, the men and women of law enforcement. And personally and on behalf of our state, I thank you. Police Chief Norman Williams: I would like to ask the Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Larry Welch, for a comment. KBI Director Larry Welch: As is undoubtedly clearly evident to you, I've been in law enforcement 44 years. And let me assure you that today is one of the happiest days in all of those 44 years. In law enforcement when the numbers of agencies in an investigative endeavor exceeds the number of potential defendants in the case, the good guys always win. And this multi-agency task force in place since March of 2004 under the command of Chief Norman Williams and Lt. Kenneth Landwehr is a marvelous example of that well established, law enforcement principle. It has been the privilege and the pleasure of the KBI to have agents of our cold case squad and our forensic scientists involved in this since March 2004 and we are delighted at this predicted outcome. Thank you very much. Chief Norman Williams: To give you an indication of the KBI's commitment to this investigation, the committed, as Mr. Welch has alluded to, 2 full-time special agents as well as a chemist at our disposal throughout this investigation, despite some of the shortages he had in his staff, because he felt that this case was so important that he stepped forward and said, chief, what do you need, we will provide. And to me, that's what it's all about ladies and gentlemen. So let's just give him a hand. You know, so often you hear criticism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the fact that the only time you see them is in a major case, which to me is unjust. I can tell you first hand that I worked closely with this gentleman, Mr. Kevin Stafford. Early on in this investigation he contacted me and he said, hey, whatever you need, call us. In the month of November, he and I traveled to Washington, D.C. We met with key people in the management staff at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We walked away from that meeting feeling good. Within 30 days, Mr. Stafford called me and said, chief, the question is, what do you need, how soon do you need it, we'll get it. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Kevin Stafford. Kevin Stafford, FBI: I've never heard of any of those criticisms before. I very simply want to thank the chief and Lt. Landwehr for inviting the FBI to be a member of this very exceptional and talented task force. And on behalf of the men and women of the FBI, I want you know that it's been our pleasure to bring the investigative and technical forces of the FBI to serve the citizens of Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita. I hope you all sleep better at night. Thank you very much. Chief Norman Williams: The next individual I would like to introduce is the House of Representative for the state of Kansas in the Fourth District, Todd Tiahrt. Early on in this investigation, we realized we were in for a long haul. And part of that was being able to come up with the necessary financial resources to augment the task force as well as respective departments but Mr. Tiahrt stepped to the plate and went to work for the citizens of Kansas. And as the result of his efforts, we were able to procure about $1 million in regards to this investigation. Mr. Tiahrt. Congressman Todd Tiahrt: Thank you very much. I was pleased to be a part of this but the real heroes are behind me here and the detectives that went out and did the hard work. And I'd like to congratulate Chief Williams and Lt. Landwehr because they did fine job. You know, it was really a community effort, a community law enforcement effort. The KBI with Larry Welch and Kevin Stafford with the FBI. It wasn't like the movies where you see Tommy Lee Jones come in and say I'm going to take over the investigation. We're going to have a six-mile diameter where we're going to close off all the roads. It wasn't like that at all. It was everybody working together and I think that's when America does its best, when we work together. And I want to thank the community outside law enforcement, the faith community. Well, that does include law enforcement, too, excuse me. The faith community in Wichita got together and not only prayed that that which was hidden would be revealed but they also prayed for the families of the victims, and I know many of them are here. And I hope this is a good 1st step for the families of the victims towards some reconciliation. I know from personal experience you will never be able to replace those that you loved who are lost. But you can come to some closure and move forward. And I think what we overlook sometimes is the long term impact that our law enforcement has on the safety and the security in the country, and how it helps us to build not only a strong community but a place where we can have second chances to rebuild our lives and make our dreams once again come true. Dreams coming true are important to all of us. So I want to congratulate those who did the hard work, spent the long night, dug through all kinds of things you we probably don't want to think about, trash and whatnot, and worked hard in the labs, laid awake at night trying to solve this problem because it was that hard work that gives us hope for the future. So I want to say God bless you, all you in law enforcement, and to the victims, I hope that you heal quickly. Chief Norman Williams: I would now like to present my colleague, Sedgwick County Sheriff Gary Steed. Sedgwick County Sheriff Gary Steed: Good morning. I'm very proud to be in law enforcement in Kansas and in Sedgwick County and to work side-by-side with the Wichita Police Department, the FBI, the KBI and all of the organizations that came together in partnership to work on these particular cases. I think that they exhibited a vast amount of skill, tenacity and effort in bringing some closure to these investigations. I think that there is one other group of people that we should recognize that have been involved in this investigation over the years, these investigations occurred over 30 years, and there are a number of law enforcement officers who have participated in these investigations over the years, Chief LaMunyon being but one example, dedicated people who collected evidence meticulously and put together cases that we're able to go back and look in files and look in evidence racks and use that evidence over the years in these cases today to provide us with successful prosecution. I'm very pleased that we're being able to provide some closure to all of these law enforcement officers that worked on these cases both today and over the years. And I'm also pleased to announce today that we have brought closure to 2 cases that were in the jurisdiction of the Sedgwick County Sheriff and that was the homicides of Marine Hedge and Delores Davis. On behalf of the officers of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, I want to thank those members of the task force as well. Thank you. Police Chief Norman Williams: I would like to ask you to please join me in an expression of gratitude and appreciation to the family members of the 10 victims that died at the hands of this individual. Please join me. Family members. (Standing ovation) As many of you are aware, we received our first correspondence in almost 20 plus years back in March of 2004 from the serial killer known as BTK. At that time, he sent us some information on a person known as Mrs. Wegerle. We suspected for many years that he may have committed that crime but when he sent us that correspondence that verified it. From that date forward, Lt. Landwehr was called upon to spearhead the investigation, the reemergence of BTK. In the last 11 months, the toll that it has taken on every member of not only the task force but every member of law enforcement that are out there on the streets because citizens were concerned about -- is BTK my next door neighbor? But when you look at the ebb and flow of this investigation, you look at the trials and tribulations, we continue to maintain our focus on professionalism, we've maintained our commitment to working within the United States Constitution because we had an obligation to ensure a professional quality and successful investigation for the family members. Lt. Landwehr took that charge, took that challenge and he spearheaded that investigation. And he's done a damn good job with it. I'd like to acknowledge the police chief from Park City as well as the mayor, Mayor Bergquist. Thank you for your assistance over the past couple of days. We realize that we invaded your city and we appreciate the cooperation you've given us. I will now turn it over to Lt. Ken Landwehr. (Standing ovation) Lt. Kenneth Landwehr: Janet, you didn't give me a script today, so I guess I'm done. I want to thank the families of the victims that gave us their trust and stood behind us. I want to thank the families of our task force who stood behind them, the other agencies, the other offices in this department and across the state, and the citizens of Wichita, citizens that responded to our investigation, that cooperated with our investigation and I want to thank them, everybody, from our task force. My eyes are not good so I might miss some of my members, but before I start with the members of my task force, I would like to thank the KBI who gave me two great guys plus about 10 other agents whenever I needed them. That's because they have an unbelievable director, Larry Welch, a great friend of mine for many years who never ever has turned down a request from myself or this department. From the Forensic Science Center, from Dr. Dudley, Tim Moore, Shelly Stedman, Dan Fahnestalk, who worked hundreds and hundreds of hours to help us with this investigation. To the FBI, who have always been there, Chuck Pritchett who've been there from day one. John Sullivan and ATF, Secret Service, Social Security Administration, John Guilliford, and I'm sorry if I forgot anybody. I'm sure I have. The Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Steed who's worked with me even back in 1984 on some of these cases when we looked at them then and now we've been able to go full circle with Tom Lee, Sam Houston, Kevin Bradford, Annette Aga, and several others from the past. The detectives of the Wichita Police Department, the Sheriff's department, that worked on these cases did such a good job that we were able to use their evidence before anyone had any inkling of what technology would do. They did the job so well then that we could do our job now. Part of my task force have other assignments so I'm going to ask you not to film them, please. But like I said, my eyes aren't good so if I miss anyone please stick up your hand or I'll have Detective Bachman or Detective James to throw something at me because they're always the ones that always bail me out. Officer Elmore, Detective Fransheen Det. Gordon, Detective Mears, Sgt. Mike Hennessy who's been with me for years and came back to assist me on this. Detective Milton, Detective Fasig, Officer Shea. I'm going to forget everyone. I'm sorry. Officer Eisenbise. Of course, Ray, Detective Stone, Officer Hardey, Detective Snyder, Officer Miller, Officer Beard, Officer Moon. I miss anybody on this side of the room? Det. James, Det. Tim Relph, John Sullivan, Chuck Prichett, Detective Dana Gouge, Sean Stroud. Where's Otey? I can't see him. Detective Kelly Otis and, I just, Officer Griggs is back there. I'm going to see you all sooner or later. It's just like I say, know I'm missing somebody. It just doesn't sound like it. But all the other officers assigned to the task force, the other homicide detectives, all the detectives up on 6th floor, the captains, the lieutenants, the deputy chiefs, especially Capt. Mosely who was with us most of the time, Capt. Langdon, Capt. Nelson , Lt. Easter, all those supported, Capt. Spear. I almost called him lieutenant. I'd have probably gotten a day off for that. Janet Mitchell. Everybody who assisted, all the gang guys, all the sex guys, the M2 guys, Det. Stone. Did I forget to mention you? I had. See, I'm losing it. I want to thank everybody and their families who gave up a lot for this task force. I'm going to quit rambling. Let's do it. Let's do this the right way. Shortly after noon yesterday afternoon, agents from the KBI, agents from the FBI and members of the Wichita Police Department, arrested Dennis Rader, 59, a white male, in Park City, Kansas, for the murders of Joseph Otero, Julie Otero, Josephine Otero, Joseph Otero Jr., Kathryn Bright, Shirley Vian Relford, Nancy Fox and Vicki Wegerle. He was arrested for the 1st-degree murder of all those victims. He's being held at this time at an undisclosed location. We will be approaching the district attorney's office next week reference charges to see if charges will be filed against this individual. I thank you very much for your support and I'll turn it back over to Chief Williams. Thank you, sir. Police Chief Norman Williams: We're now going to open it up for questions from the media. This is the first time since this investigation. We will now allow the media to ask myself, Lt. Landwehr. Questions from the media that you may have. Question: How did you break the case? What was the thing that broke the case? Williams: We're not at this time at liberty to give that information because the investigation is ongoing. So at this time, we're not able to give that information. Question: inaudible Williams: There again, we're not going to discuss the particulars of the investigation. It's all come out during the judicial system. Question: inaudible Williams: Sheriff Steed, could you join us up here, please? There's a question on the 2 homicides you made reference to. Steed: Could you repeat the question please? Question: I do believe you said he was responsible for two other homicides. Could you tell us who? Steed: The death of Marine Hedge which occurred in, I believe, April of 1985, and the death of Delores Davis that I believe was in January of 1991. We'll take information from this investigation, information developed by the task force, and put that information together to file. And along with the Wichita Police Department, present that information to District Attorney Nola Foulston to obtain homicide charges there, there as well. Question: Did you get that information from the suspect or... ? Steed: All of this information was being developed along with the task force and the investigators involved in this investigation. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: The investigation is continuing. At this time we're going forward with 10 charges at this time. We won't comment on any additional charges that will be filed later. Question: inaudible. Williams: I wasn't there. I can't answer that. Landwehr: The suspect was arrested without incident. I can't comment any further on that but he was arrested without incident in Park City. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: We cannot discuss specifics of the investigation. We have, as I said, arrested an individual and we will present that case to the District Attorney. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: I can't comment on any interview of any suspect if it did happen. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: I cannot comment on specifics of the investigation. There is no booking photo at this time but there will be shortly, before the end of the day. Question: Was the family at all aware of who he was? Landwehr: Ah, his family knew who he is, yes, but I'm not going to... (laughter). I'm sorry, Larry, that was uncalled for. You've been a great defender of us. I appreciate that. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: I'm sorry, I cannot comment on any specifics of the investigation. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: A car stop was made on east Kechi Road and as I say Mr. Rader was taken into custody by members of the task force and transported to an undisclosed location. There was no incident and that's all I can comment right now. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: I cannot comment on any specifics of the investigation. I'm sorry. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: I cannot comment on any specifics of the investigation. Question:... that he would never be found, and is this maybe an indication that he wanted to be caught? Landwehr: I wouldn't want to speculate on anybody's mind set. Question:... was he trying to get away at all? Landwehr: No, he was pulled over during a routine stop and was arrested. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: I can't comment on specifics of the investigation. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: We will present the case to the District Attorney early next week then it will be in their court, so to speak. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: No, sir. Question: inaudible. Landwehr: We informed the victims' families yesterday. At that time, it was very emotional for everyone involved. Question: Chief Williams, can you give a clarification on the death penalty? The death penalty will not be sought in this case? Foulston: For any prosecution for a crime, you have to look at the date of the incident, as alleged . The law that was applicable at that time of the incident would control what you would be able to charge and any punishment that would be applicable to that crime. You wouldn't apply today's standards, you would apply the law that existed at the time of the crime and when it was committed. At the time of any of these allegations -- they were in different years, 1974, 1977, all of those different time periods. At that time, Kansas did not have a death penalty. Through all of those periods of years when these allegations of these homicides were made none of them would fall within an applicable death penalty in the state of Kansas. At various points, there were different punishments for the crime of first-degree murder. Some of them would be a Hard 40, some would be life at a different number of years, etc. But there was no death penalty applicable at any period during those years of first degree murders. Question: inaudible Foulston: Any prosecution will occur in the state of Kansas in the jurisdiction of the 18th Judicial District. This is not a federal prosecution. Question: How long do you hold a man without pressing charges? Foulston: That's it. Landwehr: I've got one comment. I forgot to mention two key people that we involved in this investigation and that would be from Quantico, Jim McNamara and Bob Morton who assisted us in every step of our strategies in bringing this case to this state. They will continue to assist us as we move into the prosecution phase. Thank you very much. Williams: I'd just like to say that for many of the media that may not be aware of the Wichita Police Department's policy, once the conference ends today there will be no other briefings from the Wichita Police Department. There will be no additional information coming from the Wichita Police Department. Once we file the case with Ms. Foulston's office, it will then be in the judicial arena and we will not respond. So please don't call the chief's office because you ain't gonna get nothin'. Mr. Chief LaMunyon, thank you for being here today. (source: The Wichita Eagle) ARIZONA: Cruz Found Guilty Of Killing TPD Officer A Tucson jury has found John Montenegro Cruz guilty of 1st-degree murder in the shooting death of Tucson police officer Patrick Hardesty. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Cruz showed very little emotion when the verdict was read Friday afternoon. It took jurors less than 3 hours to reach a guilty verdict. They deliberated for 1 hour Thursday and just over an hour Friday. With 92 potential witnesses, and three weeks in the courtroom, jurors were convinced Cruz shot and killed Officer Hardesty. Nobody actually saw the shooting, but prosecutors linked him to the murder weapon. "It didn't surprise me," said Hardesty's brother Ed. "I expected the verdict. I sat through all the testimony. So there's no doubt in my mind John Cruz is guilty." Other Tucson officers say they're relieved, including the detective who was a key prosecution witness and the 1st person on the scene the day Hardesty died. "Even with what they described as a mountain of evidence, there's still in the back of your mind some concern the jury understands what happened that day, and they did," said Det. Benjamin Waters. Police Chief Richard Miranda praised prosecutors. He also said the trial took its emotional toll on officers. "It's been almost 2 years since Patrick was killed and with time, your feelings get a little better in terms of him dying. But the last few weeks with the trial, we had to relieve those emotions. We've all had flashbacks to that day. We all had to relive the burial." The trial now moves into the punishment phase. Jurors will have to consider several factors in determining whether Cruz should get a death sentence. The jury has already decided on one aggravating factor: Officer Hardesty was gunned down in the line of duty. The defense will present mitigating factors against a death sentence; it plans to call as many as 15 witnesses when the sentencing phase begins next Tuesday. Those witnesses could include family, friends, and psychiatric experts. The defense will have to prove by a preponderance of the evidence -- meaning more evidence than the prosecution -- that Cruz does not deserve to die. (source: KOLD News)
