BTK Suspect Criticizes His Legal Team in TV Report

WICHITA, Kan. — Days before his trial is scheduled to begin, the man suspected of being the BTK strangler called a TV station from jail and complained that his lawyers had not been giving him recent court filings. He also said his wife was contemplating divorce.

Dennis L. Rader talked Friday to a reporter at KSNW who had close connections to his family, news director Todd Spessard said Wednesday. Parts of the interview were aired Monday and Tuesday.

Rader complained about missing recent court filings, and said he blamed his attorneys. His trial is set to begin Monday.

“I don’t want any negativism toward the people who are trying to help me. On the other hand, Rader needs to know what’s going on,” Rader said. “The paperwork needs to be coming down to him somehow.”

Mark Orr, spokesman for the public defender’s office, said Wednesday that Rader’s attorneys would have no comment. “Whatever happens ... will happen in court,” Orr said.

Rader also said that his wife of 33 years was contemplating divorce, but that he was receiving letters from her and his grown children.

“Yeah, Paula has opened up a little bit more. She’s writing a little bit more. Kids are hit-and-miss, you know. They’re busy. But yeah, I’m getting some letters and phone calls,” Rader said.

Rader, 60, is accused of killing 10 people in the Wichita area between 1974 and 1991. The former Park City code inspector was arrested Feb. 25. For decades, BTK, which stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” taunted police with clues and messages.

Spessard said the TV station gave Rader the opportunity to deny the charges. “He never denied it; he never admitted it,” Spessard said.

Prosecutors have subpoenaed the interview tape, the news director said.