Kerry Rawson, daughter of infamous serial killer BTK, draws chilling parallels between her father’s case and the recent arraignment of Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the Idaho student murders.
Rawson, author of the New York Times best-selling book “A Serial Killer’s Daughter,” joined Jesse Weber on the true crime podcast “Sidebar” to discuss the striking similarities between the two cases.
The focus of the discussion centered around Kohberger’s decision to stand silent during his arraignment, a tactic eerily reminiscent of BTK’s (Dennis Rader) approach during his own legal proceedings.
Kohberger, a former PhD student, faces charges of burglarizing a house in Moscow, Idaho and murdering four college students: Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Kaylee Goncalves.
During his arraignment, Kohberger chose to remain silent when asked to enter a plea. This silence, as dictated by legal protocol, resulted in the court entering a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
Rawson, having witnessed firsthand her father’s legal strategy, offered a unique and unsettling perspective on Kohberger’s actions. She recalled her father, who terrorized Wichita between 1974 and 1991, employing the same strategy during his 2005 arrest and subsequent trial.
According to Rawson, her father grappled with the decision of whether to plead guilty or maintain innocence, a decision that tormented him for months. Letters exchanged between Rader and his family revealed his internal conflict and the turmoil he inflicted upon his loved ones.
Rawson vividly recounted the emotional rollercoaster her family endured as her father oscillated between accepting responsibility and demanding to see evidence, despite his undeniable guilt.
She shared excerpts from her father’s letters, providing a glimpse into his calculated thought process and the manipulation tactics he employed even while incarcerated.
Rader expressed concerns about the potential consequences of his actions, particularly the impact on his family’s reputation. He also sought to explore legal avenues, such as the insanity defense, which he ultimately did not pursue.
The parallels between Rader’s actions and Kohberger’s silence are unsettling.
Rawson, drawing from her experience, suggested that Kohberger’s silence might be an attempt to exert control in a situation where he has been stripped of his freedom and autonomy.
The podcast delved into the psychological complexities of individuals like Rader and Kohberger, prompting discussions about their motivations, mental states, and potential strategies.
BTK Killer, Dennis Rader, in court
The conversation then shifted to the curious connection between Kohberger and Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a renowned expert on serial killers who had authored a book with BTK. Kohberger had studied criminology under Dr. Ramsland, a fact that Rawson found both shocking and deeply unsettling.
Rawson admitted to experiencing a resurgence of PTSD upon learning about the connection between her father’s case and Kohberger. The fact that a leading authority on serial killers had taught the accused Idaho murderer raised questions and fueled speculation.
As of the podcast recording, Dr. Ramsland had not publicly addressed the Kohberger case, a silence that Rawson attributed to either a gag order or her anticipated role as a witness in the trial.
The episode concluded with Rawson expressing relief at Kohberger’s arrest, highlighting the chilling echoes between the two cases and the disturbing similarities between her father’s manipulative behavior and Kohberger’s calculated silence.
The conversation sparked a sense of unease, reminding listeners that even amidst horrific acts, the human psyche remains a complex and often unfathomable puzzle.
