Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 10, 2006 22:26:22 GMT -5
Serial killer's brother speaks at the Mount
For David Kaczynski, the decision to tell FBI agents that he suspected his
older brother Theodore Kaczynski as the mastermind behind 17 years of
serial bombings was a matter of preserving life.
If his brother was the Unabomber, Mr. Kaczynski risked more violence
against innocent people if he did not turn him in.
However, if his brother was convicted of the bombings that led to 3 deaths
and 23 injuries, Theodore might face the death penalty.
In a lecture at Mount St. Mary's University on Thursday evening, Mr.
Kaczynski outlined the discovery that his brother was responsible for the
bombings.
He also explained how he made his decision to go to authorities despite
personal opposition to capital punishment.
"We were in a position where anything we did could result in somebody's
death," Mr. Kaczynski said.
11 years ago, his wife Linda Patrik approached her husband and pointed out
similarities between Theodore and information that had been released about
the elusive Unabomber.
Bombings had occurred in places the pair knew Theodore had been, for
example, Chicago and Salt Lake City.
Like the suspected Unabomber, Theodore had connections at the University
of California, Berkeley. Theodore had been a math professor at the school
before quitting to live a survivalist lifestyle in a cabin in Montana.
The Unabomber's manifesto, which had been sent to media outlets before his
capture, spoke against technology, a sentiment Theodore had often shared
with Mr. Kaczynski in written correspondence.
"Here I am in my living room and my wife's saying, 'Gee, do you think your
brother is the Unabomber?'" Mr. Kaczynski said. "I guess I'm feeling, this
is my brother after all, a little defensive."
After poring over the manifesto and looking for similarities in letters
sent from Theodore, Mr. Kaczynski contacted FBI officials.
Weeks later, Theodore was arrested. A live bomb was found under his bed in
the Montana cabin.
"We were the only people who could do something," Mr. Kaczynski said. "We
were the only ones who could stop the violence."
Theodore pleaded guilty and is serving life in federal prison in Colorado.
He does not contact his family.
Capital punishment
After his brother's trial, Mr. Kaczynski became the executive director of
New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty.
He speaks at places like the Mount to share his story and stance against
capital punishment.
"I was always personally opposed to the death penalty," he said. "But I
never thought I'd have a personal experience with the capital punishment
system."
During his lecture at the Mount, Mr. Kaczynski explained that he believes
the American justice system is flawed because a person's ability to obtain
good legal counsel, not their guilt or innocence, often determines if they
will receive the death penalty.
"When you think of the justice system, justice isn't always the priority.
There are a lot of balls in the air," he said. "... If you think of the
death penalty as ultimate justice, then you're probably using the wrong
words."
Mr. Kaczynski said he does not have a solution for revamping the American
justice system, but he would prefer capital punishment not be an option.
"If you have alternatives like life in prison without parole, why not use
that so if you made a mistake, you can correct that mistake?" he said.
(source: The Frederick News-Post)
For David Kaczynski, the decision to tell FBI agents that he suspected his
older brother Theodore Kaczynski as the mastermind behind 17 years of
serial bombings was a matter of preserving life.
If his brother was the Unabomber, Mr. Kaczynski risked more violence
against innocent people if he did not turn him in.
However, if his brother was convicted of the bombings that led to 3 deaths
and 23 injuries, Theodore might face the death penalty.
In a lecture at Mount St. Mary's University on Thursday evening, Mr.
Kaczynski outlined the discovery that his brother was responsible for the
bombings.
He also explained how he made his decision to go to authorities despite
personal opposition to capital punishment.
"We were in a position where anything we did could result in somebody's
death," Mr. Kaczynski said.
11 years ago, his wife Linda Patrik approached her husband and pointed out
similarities between Theodore and information that had been released about
the elusive Unabomber.
Bombings had occurred in places the pair knew Theodore had been, for
example, Chicago and Salt Lake City.
Like the suspected Unabomber, Theodore had connections at the University
of California, Berkeley. Theodore had been a math professor at the school
before quitting to live a survivalist lifestyle in a cabin in Montana.
The Unabomber's manifesto, which had been sent to media outlets before his
capture, spoke against technology, a sentiment Theodore had often shared
with Mr. Kaczynski in written correspondence.
"Here I am in my living room and my wife's saying, 'Gee, do you think your
brother is the Unabomber?'" Mr. Kaczynski said. "I guess I'm feeling, this
is my brother after all, a little defensive."
After poring over the manifesto and looking for similarities in letters
sent from Theodore, Mr. Kaczynski contacted FBI officials.
Weeks later, Theodore was arrested. A live bomb was found under his bed in
the Montana cabin.
"We were the only people who could do something," Mr. Kaczynski said. "We
were the only ones who could stop the violence."
Theodore pleaded guilty and is serving life in federal prison in Colorado.
He does not contact his family.
Capital punishment
After his brother's trial, Mr. Kaczynski became the executive director of
New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty.
He speaks at places like the Mount to share his story and stance against
capital punishment.
"I was always personally opposed to the death penalty," he said. "But I
never thought I'd have a personal experience with the capital punishment
system."
During his lecture at the Mount, Mr. Kaczynski explained that he believes
the American justice system is flawed because a person's ability to obtain
good legal counsel, not their guilt or innocence, often determines if they
will receive the death penalty.
"When you think of the justice system, justice isn't always the priority.
There are a lot of balls in the air," he said. "... If you think of the
death penalty as ultimate justice, then you're probably using the wrong
words."
Mr. Kaczynski said he does not have a solution for revamping the American
justice system, but he would prefer capital punishment not be an option.
"If you have alternatives like life in prison without parole, why not use
that so if you made a mistake, you can correct that mistake?" he said.
(source: The Frederick News-Post)