Anastasia Toufexis

Public fascination with serial killers and their crimes is at an all—time high in America, and that fascination has dangerous implications, according to awardwinning journalist Anastasia Toufexis. In the following selection Toufexis discusses the cases of recent and long—standing serial murderers, asserting that although serial killing remains a relatively rare crime, the nature of the crime creates great notoriety for the perpetrators. Toufexis contends that Americans' obsession with serial killers has increased media attention to serial killers, spawned a large consumer market for serial—killer memorabilia, and has created an opportunity for fame for those who commit the crimes.

HENRY LOUIS WALLACE WAS SMOOTH-VERY, very smooth. Listeners tuning into WBAW—FM in Barnwell, South Carolina, during the late evening hours four years ago responded positively to Wallace, a.k.a. "Night Rider," a silkyvoiced disk...