# BTK Killer Confesses in Court. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 28, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135 "2005-06-28T02:22:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/81 "2005-06-30T15:27:10Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > I think this is an absolutely disgusting sentiment and that such actions would be about as moral as Dennis Rader’s crimes. Besides, he’s screwed up and may not produce valid results. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/82 "2005-06-30T15:40:16Z")
> [@](#): > > How can you not be sure? You said that the Christian groups spouting about forgiveness were chapping your hide. Surely, you’ve actually heard specific instances of this? And if you’re going to call them hypocrites over it, I assume you actually listened to what they were saying so you could understand their position well enough to know that they’re not living up to it. Not groups, I said types, as in individuals. It had the word forgiveness in it and it was something about being the Christian thing to do. That’s good enough for me. What’s there to forgive? Furthermore if you forgive someone and think they should remain in jail, then it’s not very forgiving is it? My initial meaning was both, because it didn’t cross my mind that someone could forgive without it being deserved. That seems more to me like “being taken advantage of” than being disrespectful to the victims. I guess it goes to show my disconnect with christian doctrine. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/83 "2005-06-30T16:06:40Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > I think this is an absolutely disgusting sentiment and that such actions would be about as moral as Dennis Rader’s crimes. Really? I think the families of the victims would be more than happy to hand him over to the laboratories. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/84 "2005-06-30T16:08:27Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > Really? I think the families of the victims would be more than happy to hand him over to the laboratories. No doubt they would. That doesn’t make it moral. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/85 "2005-06-30T16:11:39Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > Really? I think the families of the victims would be more than happy to hand him over to the laboratories. So what? That doesn’t make it any less disgusting or the act any more moral. The only difference I see is that sentiment coming from the families is more understandable and less depraved then when it comes from you. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/86 "2005-06-30T16:15:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Furthermore if you forgive someone and think they should remain in jail, then it’s not very forgiving is it? Not necessarily. Punishment is only one purpose of a prison (and it shouldn’t be a purpose at all, IMHO). Rehabilitation and the prevention of further crimes by that individual are also purposes of prison. Someone can forgive another, but still think the person they’ve forgiven should be rehabilitated or prevented from comitting further crimes. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/87 "2005-06-30T16:16:35Z")
I say use them as guinea pigs to find out what made them serial killers. This would involve lots of brain scans, pschological evaluations, snipping of brain tissue if necessary, and when he dies his body belongs to the state for dissection and study as needed. If by rigorously studying guys like Rader we can prevent future guys like Rader from happening, we should do it. And we shouldn’t worry a whit about how Rader feels about a particular experiment. He’s used up his breathing rights. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/88 "2005-06-30T16:24:13Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > So what? That doesn’t make it any less disgusting or the act any more moral. The only difference I see is that sentiment coming from the families is more understandable and less depraved then when it comes from you. Let’s see, which is more depraved? 1. Punishing an innocent animal which has never hurt anyone; 2. Punishing a coldhearted killer who has destroyed many lives. #2 is pretty logical, if you ask me. How is he _really_ being punished if he just sits in prison for the rest of his life? How is he learning how his victims suffered unless he suffers himself? ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/89 "2005-06-30T16:32:21Z")
Classic strawman, **Amazon Floozy Goddess**. You’re changeing the discussion from using prisoners as the involuntary subject of medical experiments to punishing prisoners. ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/90 "2005-06-30T17:06:04Z")
**Evil Captor** what are you expecting to find? We don’t even understand basic functions of the brain completely yet. Environment is a big part of the equation anyway. Many serial killers have a history of family disfunction that distorts their personality. Who can really say how you or me would have turned out if growing up severely emotionally and physically abused? Certainly I would be a different person. Of course this doesn’t excuse the actions of serial killers, but it is a common characteristic of psychopaths. Frankly I don’t think there is anything wrong with them sometimes, in the sense of being broken humans. I don’t believe a “normal” person is good and moral. That’s a naive view. Some people like to inflict pain apparently. Other people have weird sexual fetishes. Others like the color blue. Why? Who knows? And as long as they don’t harm anybody else who cares? These people become undesirables when they can’t or won’t control themselves and should be weeded out for their crimes. In prison or executed, doesn’t make much difference to me. Execution in a better deterent, cheaper too and works well as a punishment so I say go for it. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/91 "2005-06-30T17:27:55Z")
> [@Pedro](#): > > Execution in a better deterent, not proven > [@](#): > > cheaper too absolutely 100% incorrect > [@](#): > > and works well as a punishment morally arguable > [@](#): > > so I say go for it. I say not. I’m glad we had this little chat. ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/92 "2005-06-30T17:32:49Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I say not. > > I’m glad we had this little chat. Golly, I’m crushed. :rolleyes: Bye then. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/93 "2005-06-30T18:47:41Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Classic strawman, **Amazon Floozy Goddess**. You’re changeing the discussion from using prisoners as the involuntary subject of medical experiments to punishing prisoners. What are you talking about? I’m saying that using them as test subjects would _be_ their punishment, in lieu of useless jail time or execution. The subject was never changed. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/94 "2005-06-30T18:57:13Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > I’m saying that using them as test subjects would _be_ their punishment, in lieu of useless jail time or execution. I see. In that case, I think you’re a disgusting moral degenerate. > [@](#): > > The subject was never changed. All but the last line of that post were speaking generically of punishment, not the specific kind of punishment we’ve been talking about. You say that “punishing a coldhearted killer who has destroyed many lives” is logical, but we’re not discussing whether coldhearted killers should be punished. We’re discussing whether they should be used as the involuntary subjects of medical experiments. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/95 "2005-06-30T19:16:35Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > I see. In that case, I think you’re a disgusting moral degenerate. > All but the last line of that post were speaking generically of punishment, not the specific kind of punishment we’ve been talking about. You say that “punishing a coldhearted killer who has destroyed many lives” is logical, but we’re not discussing whether coldhearted killers should be punished. We’re discussing whether they should be used as the involuntary subjects of medical experiments. And I’ve been saying all along that maybe coldhearted killers should be punished that way. At no time did I say that _all_ criminals should be treated like that. Think about it - if someone killed the person you loved most, wouldn’t you want for them to know the suffering your loved one went through? Make sure you know what I’m saying before you cast out your opinion on who I am. Someone who would rather see merciless psychos suffer instead of an animal that never harmed anyone is in no way a “disgusting moral degenerate”. If I were to cast the same opinions on you that you’re using on me, I could say that you’re a sadistic and cruel animal abuser if you’d rather see an innocent creature be punished for nothing instead of a homicidal maniac who rightly deserves punishment. ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/96 "2005-06-30T19:23:14Z")
Additionally, **Metacom** , I fail to see why you’re centering your silly attack on me when **Evil Captor** has echoed my sentiments exactly. If you’re going to take on the issue, face all sides of it. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/97 "2005-06-30T19:24:54Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > And I’ve been saying all along that maybe coldhearted killers should be punished that way. Right, and all along you’ve been a disgusting moral degenerate. > [@](#): > > Think about it - if someone killed the person you loved most, wouldn’t you want for them to know the suffering your loved one went through? No. > [@](#): > > Make sure you know what I’m saying before you cast out your opinion on who I am. I get what you’re saying. Better a “coldhearted killer” suffer during a medical experiment then an animal, right? > [@](#): > > If I were to cast the same opinions on you that you’re using on me, I could say that you’re a sadistic and cruel animal abuser if you’d rather see an innocent creature be punished for nothing instead of a homicidal maniac who rightly deserves punishment. You’re a floridly psychotic disgusting moral degenerate. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/98 "2005-06-30T19:25:21Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > using them as test subjects would _be_ their punishment We may argue about it’s being cruel, but it’s certainly unusual, and the Constitution won’t let us do that. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/99 "2005-06-30T19:28:22Z")
> [@Amazon Floozy Goddess](#): > > Additionally, **Metacom** , I fail to see why you’re centering your silly attack on me when **Evil Captor** has echoed my sentiments exactly. If you’re going to take on the issue, face all sides of it. OK. I think **Evil Captor** is a disgusting moral degenerate too. Anyone who thinks that any human should be used as the involuntary subject of a medical experiment is a disgusting moral degenerate. Better? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135/100 "2005-06-30T19:31:23Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Right, and all along you’ve been a disgusting moral degenerate. > > No. > > I get what you’re saying. Better a “coldhearted killer” suffer during a medical experiment then an animal, right? > > You’re a floridly psychotic disgusting moral degenerate. No, that’s what the BTK is - I’d never hurt an innocent person or creature (I’ve never even hurt people who were nasty to me). So for you to put me in the same category as that monster makes you someone with some pretty warped viewpoints. I’d fear for you to be law enforcement - the innocent would surely get hurt in your hands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/btk-killer-confesses-in-court/310135.md?page=6)