Evidence: part 3

DNA evidence that was over decades old is what finally brought an end to the 20 year killing spree known as the Green River murders. However, finding the evidence needed to convict Gary Ridgway was not an easy task for the Green River Task Force. They were given the run around for years. Ridgway planted bogus clues, dumped bodies, and relocated victims in order to throw police off of his trail. (Catching the Green River Killer) The lack of useful technology was also a key factor. When the bodies of victims were discovered, police had no real way of testing the evidence on them. They collected as much evidence as possible though; from fibers and cells found on the victims to countless random reports from anonymous sources, which may or may not have been true. This was the case in one instance. Ridgway called detective Reichert and reported false information. But, police could not prove it right or wrong because the only evidence they could depend upon were the results of a polygraph test, which Ridgway passed. (Timeline: DNA Testing Helped Lead Investigators to Green River Killer) For years they had to collect evidence that was useful but unusable. When the investigation was handed to Reichert, the evidence was stored. It was not to be used until more reliable technology came along. It wasn’t until Rigdway was found soliciting an undercover cop were police able to use the DNA they had. They were able to test decade old semen found of the victims and compare it to saliva taken from Ridgway. The matches were found and the evidence used to convict him.

Evidence: Reflection

The fact that it took 20 years to find enough evidence to convict Ridgway can’t really be blamed on the task force responsible for collecting it. For years, they help the evidence that would have ended the search, if they had only been able to use it. They did what they could with the evidence they could use. It has to be noted that they did narrow in on the real killer twice, even though they were unable to solidify the evidence. Lack of technology prevented them from doing what would condemn Ridgway sooner rather than later. The rising body count provided tons of evidence that couldn’t be used. So it was smart of detective Reichert to preserve what he had to test at a later time. Body evidence is fragile and cannot be recreated, especially if the person it was taken from is dead like the victims were. If the decision to go ahead and send the samples off for testing had went through, it is possible that they would have been destroyed. They could have lost all the evidence they had and been left with only circumstantial evidence, which is not allowed in court solely on its own.

Conviction: Arrest

In March of 2001, DNA samples taken from the victims finally showed a match to Gary Ridgway. Police were finally able to arrest the man known as the Green River killer. Police waited and set a trap, believing he could possibly be linked to two more murders. They set him up under sporadic surveillance. Two months later, Ridgway was once again caught soliciting an undercover cop disguised as a prostitute. This time, police arrested for solicitation and the murder of four victims: Mills, Chapman, Christensen, and Hinds. (Catching the Green River Killer) These charges consisted of four counts of murder in the first degree. He was taken to the King County Jail where he was booked. When questioned, Ridgway claimed that he never had any encounters whatsoever with any of the alleged victims. Police then worked even harder to secure the evidence they needed to keep him there. They were granted search warrants. Police excavated Ridgway’s home and yard. There they came upon several remains scattered in his yard and the surrounding forest area. These remains were identified as those of victims Bonner and Estes, who had previously reported against the murderer. They also discovered paint particles in his truck that matched previous victims. A mattress, as well as an old carpet that were stained with blood was found in an old storage shed. (Catching the Green River Killer) Ridgway was then charged with three more counts of murder in the first degree, giving him a total of seven charges before his trial in 2003. Ridgway was moved from King County Jail to an undisclosed location.

Conviction: Trial

On April 3, 2003, Gary Ridgway pleaded not guilty to seven counts of murder in the first degree. Ridgway continued to claim “not guilty” for the beginning duration of his trial. Three more sets of remains were found, which were also added to his growing set of charges. The state prosecuted Ridgway, seeking the death penalty on all counts of murder. Ridgway and his lawyer were forced to sit there and listen as police revealed piece after incriminating piece of evidence that would help them win the case. But Ridgway continued to plead “not guilty.” After things became apparent that Rigway would not be off, but would indeed receive the death penalty, a deal between the state and the defense was made. Rumors stating that Ridgway had agreed to cooperate in exchange for a lesser sentence surfaced. The remains of yet another victim were uncovered during the time of the trial, which only strengthened these rumors. However, on November 5, 2003, Ridgway, in an attempt to escape the death penalty, pled “guilty” to the murder of 49 local Seattle women. All of which were prostitutes. His plea was taken in exchange for a life without parole sentence, a tactic detective Reichert believed would help the police uncover the remains of the rest of the unidentified victims and bring justice to their families. (Catching the Green River Killer) Ridgway was grilled for hours by four detectives, honoring his requests in exchange for details and locations. Ridgway confessed to scattering children’s toys in his truck in an attempt to gain the trust of the victims as well as using his son to make him appear as more of a ‘family man’.  He also admitted to dumping the bodies in ‘clusters’ so that he could drive past them and having post mortem sex with at least ten of the victims. (Reeling in a Monster) Ridgway was sentenced to life without parole. In the end, he admitted to murdering over 60 women by strangulation. His conviction finally brought and end to the Green River murders.

Conviction: Present Day

During his trial, Ridgway sat stone-faced as the judge read off all 49 counts of murder in the first degree, each of which Ridgway pled “guilty”. The families of the victims were finally given the justice they had waited on for 20 years. He blatantly told police and the judge that killing prostitutes became his ‘career’ and that he had killed so many women it was hard to keep them straight. (Reeling In a Monster) Ridgway had quickly become one of the most profiled serial killers, surpassing the murderer John Wayne Gacy. He escaped the death penalty by agreeing to help police locate the remains of his victims. And that is exactly what he is doing. To the day, Ridgway has helped police find the missing bodies. Other than the ones he was charged with, Ridgway has helped police find the bodies of other, unidentified victims.  However, it wasn’t without issue. Ridgway admitted that every time police discovered a body, it angered him. He felt that ‘each victim was a beautiful person that belonged to him.’ (Reeling In a Monster) He continues to help police find the bodies as well as understand the serial killer’s mind, just as Ted Bundy did during the hunt for him. Ridgway is also believed to be responsible for the deaths of other victims in other areas. He has agreed to allow those police to question him as well as work with them to the best of his abilities. Gary Ridgway is currently held in the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington where he will continue to live out his life without parole sentences.   

Conviction: Reflection

Gary Ridgway’s trial and conviction finally put many people’s fears and hard work to rest. After 20 years, the families of the victims as well as the dedicated detectives finally got the justice that they deserved. Once police were able to secure the evidence, bringing a close to the investigation and wrapping up the trail was a breeze. Ridgway tried his best to avoid being caught and found guilty, but I believed he knew it was only a matter of time before he lost. The risk of being charged with the death sentence obviously sped up this reaction. Deciding to exchange every detail for a life without parole charge was a smart one, even though it angered many.  Many families and the public believed that he deserved the death penalty. But it is a strong possibility that if he would of received it, he wouldn’t have ever given the police the locations of the other  bodies, preventing families from getting the peace they have deserved for 20 years.

Conclusion

The Green River murders wreaked havoc on the Seattle, Washington strip for over 20 years. Starting with the discovery of three women along and in the river, these murders led to a huge run-around investigation as well as a body count that exceeded 60 victims. DNA testing was not a well known technology in the 80’s, so it was near impossible for police to use the small samples that they were able to collect. Because of this, the Green River Task Force was forced into waiting and marking the case as ‘unsolved’. It wasn’t until the early 2000’s when detective Jensen was finally able to reopen the case and use the evidence that finally allowed him to track down the murderer; Gary Leon Ridgway of King County, Washington.  Originally charged with just four murders, Ridgway believed that he would be able to escape prosecution and the death penalty by pleading “not guilty”. But as more and more evidence was mounted against him, linking him to more than the original three murders, he finally realized that he had lost. Ridgway admitted to over 60 murders. When questioned why, he responded, ‘I hate most prostitutes and I did not want to pay them for sex.” (Green River Running Red (Book)) He agreed to help police locate the missing bodies and received a life without parole sentence. The Green River murders and the hunt itself became very famous. Several musicians wrote songs referencing to Ridgway and the murders including Julie Ruin’s song I Want to Know What Love Is and Neko Case's famous song Deep Red Bells. Multiple books were also written about the investigation including Chasing the Devil by actual detective David Reichert and Green River Running Red by Ann Rule. The Green River murders are definitely one of the most notorious serial murder cases in the U.S., right along with the ones committed by Bundy, Gacy, and even Mason.