Judge Waller Interview

Friday, Aug. 19, 2005

After two days of graphic testimony, justice for Dennis Rader was served in courtroom 7-1.

“It was a long, hard road for the people of Sedgwick County and also for the law enforcement community and the courts and the defense counsel,” says Judge Greg Waller, in an interview.

Because there are unresolved issues concerning restitution, court costs and what Rader is allowed access to in prison, Waller couldn’t say too much about his feelings throughout the hearing and the horrific evidence revealed. But some things struck him, like the pain he witnessed from those who’ve lived with BTK’s crimes.

“My heart goes out to every one of the family members,” says Waller. “I took what they had to say in consideration and I just hope that they can go on now with their lives.”

Then, Waller mentioned something frightening.

“The defendant has the right to statutory habeas corpus in Kansas, KSA-60-1507, in which he could collaterally attack his sentence and collaterally attack his conviction,” says Waller. “It means he does not attack it on direct appeal.”

That means the statement by Rader could be foretelling.

“Everybody knows Rader has to complain a little bit,” says Rader in court.

Rader has said all along he was happy with his defense.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, but mostly it’s been good,” he says.

But in the future, he could change his mind and Waller says since time is the only thing most inmates in prison have, Rader could become a so-called jailhouse lawyer and try to get out of his punishment.

Waller will continue to preside over the remaining issues to be resolved in the Rader case.