If I didn’t have friends in Wichita, I’d probably never have heard of the BTK killer until they caught him this weekend.

I do have friends in Wichita, though. For some time now they’ve lived in fear of BTK, to one degree or another. That is, of course, what BTK wanted. That's why he played his sick cat and mouse games with the police and media.

If Dennis Rader, the man arrested, is in fact BTK, then he is responsible for ten or more gruesome murders in the Wichita area since 1974. BTK, the name he gave himself, stood for “Bind, Torture, and Kill.” His victims were men, women, and children. He may have been actively killing into the 90’s, according to some theories. He may or may not have confessed to some of these crimes, depending on who you believe. Depending on who you believe, his daughter may have helped police capture him, or may not have.

Dennis Rader had been the congregational president of his church. He was a Cub Scout den leader, and at one time, he had worked for ADT Security Systems. He was a dog catcher, and there is an account of him allegedly killing a dog in the presence of it's family. He looked like the guy next door, like any of our neighbors and acquaintances. These bastards always look like the guy next door. They never look like we’d expect; they never look like Rob Zombie.

People are already trying to sell his business cards and letters from him on e-bay. Rubberneckers are having a field day in his hometown and at the former homes of his victims. Sickos.

I am opposed to the death penalty. At times like this, it’s hard to be. I just keep repeating to myself, “Our capacity for mercy is what separates us from them.” The words are sweet in my mouth, but in my belly they are as bitter as hell.