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Bundy went through
two trials--one in Utah (1976), brought about as a kidnapping
charge on a young woman named Carol DaRonch, which was supposed
to put him away from one to 15 years, and the second in Florida
(1979) for the Chi Omega and Kim Leach murders. The second one
found him guilty on all counts of murder, sentencing him to die
in the electric chair.
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Several interesting
things occurred in the second trial. Bundy, once an aspiring
lawyer, actually attempted to represent himself at one point,
acting as defendant, defense attorney, and witness to the defense
at the same time. Yet the judge and jury were not convinced especially
after viewing damaging photographs of the bodies and also due
to incriminating evidence of Bundy's teeth matching bite marks
on one of the victims. Bundy also constantly argued with the
judge over special favors and legal motions, further alienating
the court. Not only the judge and jury, but also the press with
their television cameras rolling witnessed Bundy at one point
enraged: while trying to leave the courtroom without permission,
he was surrounded by police officers. Spinning out of control,
he shouted, "You know how far you can push me!" This
side of Bundy had never been shown, but the damage had now been
done. The jury took seven hours to decide that he was guilty.
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Yet Bundy was
not swayed in his fight for freedom as he knew that the legal
system is slow, delayed by appeals and red tape.
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The confessions
to his crimes
came in the ten years he had to live.
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As his execution
date came nearer and nearer, Bundy never displayed any remorse
for his crimes--instead he felt sorry for himself. On the day
before his execution, he videotaped a segment with Dr. James
Dobson, an evangelist. The show was broadcast on network television
the night before Bundy's death. In the interview, Bundy blamed
pornography for influencing him to such a murderous degree.
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On the morning
of January 24, 1989, Bundy left his last meal--a tray of eggs,
steak, hash browns, and coffee--untouched. At around 7 AM, he
was led to the electric chair, appearing weak and tired. His
last words were, "I'd like you to give my love to my family
and friends."
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At 7:06 AM, a
current of 2,000 volts of electricity surged through his body
for ten minutes. At 7:16 AM, he was pronounced dead.
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Bundy's body
was led away from the prison in a hearse through a crowd of over
a thousand cheering death penalty supporters. Many of them carried
signs such as "Bundy BBQ" and "Fry-day."
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What follows below are some photographs of the
trial and an optional link to a picture
of Bundy's body after the execution. |
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Bundy appearing
jovial during a session in court. |
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Studying orthodontal
charts at his 1979 trial. These are the charts that would help
to convict him for the Chi Omega murders. |
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Bundy joking
with reporters outside the courtroom during the 1979 trial. Probably
one of the most charismatic serial killers of our time, Bundy
loved being in the limelight of the media which gave him somewhat of a celebrity status.
Overly charming, and handsome, he was often characterized as
the "all-American" male whom many people (including
young women) gravitated toward. |
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Bundy appearing
slightly concerned during the 1979 trial jury selection. The
jury was composed of many people who opposed the death penalty,
a maneuver on the side of the defense. Despite this maneuver,
however, the jury, of course, elected to convict Bundy to die
in the electric chair. |
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Bundy was well-equipped
with a sense of humor as he is here shown applauding a joke in
court. |
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Accepting the jury's
recommendation that he be sentenced to death for his Chi Omega
murder spree. Bundy would have until 1989 to forge ahead with
appeals before his execution. |
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The electric chair
which carried out the state's decision that Bundy should die.
On January 24, 1989 at 7:06 AM, he did. Witnesses to the execution
say that he looked weak and scared as he was being led to sit
in the chair. Others report that the hooded executioner sported
long, curly eyelashes visible through the eyeholes, indicating
that, perhaps, Bundy's executioner was a woman. |
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The hearse after
the execution passing through crowds of cheering demonstrators
outside the prison. |
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