River Of Death

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So should he be kept alive to tell his tales? Seattle is divided on the issue. Many of the victims' relatives are in favor of the death penalty, and the prosecutor, Norm Maleng, has indicated that he is not interested in engaging in any plea bargaining. As sheriff, Reichert is torn between wanting to know the whole story and wanting to inflict the ultimate punishment. A cautious man, he makes the point that Ridgway is innocent until proved guilty. "I would love to have the opportunity to visit with him and learn the what, where, why, when, who and how for each case...but if anyone deserves to get the death penalty, it would be the person responsible for this series of murders."

--With reporting by Nathan Thornburgh/Seattle