Just as Todd turned off his chainsaw, he heard the sirens of several police cars outside. He peeked through the window curtains, and saw that he was surrounded by cops with their guns drawn. One of the cops held a megaphone up to his mouth and called out, “Todd Waddington, you’re under arrest. Come out of the house with your hands up.”
CHAPTER 8
A thorough police investigation ensued. Of course, they found his macabre collection of severed hands, and directly linked him to the deaths of more than two dozen, missing victims. At the same time, the police conducted a thorough investigation of the local funeral parlor. They found the bodies of the slain Mongol biker and Kyle Puckett. The Mongol’s switchblade had been used to kill both of them, and since Todd’s fingerprints were found on the knife’s handle, the police detectives attributed both deaths to Todd.
The media soon sensationalized the story of the serial killer, and Todd’s exploits were covered by nationwide TV, newspapers, and of course – tabloids. The media preferred to call Todd Waddington by a new nickname someone had coined: The Texas Chainsaw Masochist.
Todd was transported to the Huntsville, Texas – north of Houston. Originally he was allowed to mingle with some of the other inmates, but after tearing off both ears from a prisoner who repeatedly provoked him, they locked him up in solitary confinement.
A couple of uneventful weeks passed by – at least it was an uneventful period for Todd, who idly sat in solitary confinement. On the other hand, there was a major hoopla created by the media. The general public was eager for his trial to get underway. Most of the public opinion was that the Texas Chainsaw Masochist deserves the death penalty.
Todd was surprised when one day an armed escort told him they were heading to Houston for an arraignment.
“What’s an ar-r-r-raignment?” asked Todd.
“That’s jus’ the first step ‘fore they can legally execute yer ass,” answered the guard.
Since Todd had no living friends or family and no worthwhile financial resources, Todd was assigned a public defender, Sal Bower, who only visited him once – for about 30 seconds. Sal was a natural sissy, and while he was intelligent, he appeared as timid by lawyer-standards. He was a skinny, scrawny guy in his late twenties who had recently passed his bar exam, albeit with high marks. Sal grumbled, “Gee, why did they have to assign this scary-looking monster to me? I should have studied to become a doctor instead.”
The federal court house was an architecturally impressive building, but the air conditioning system was malfunctioning, and everyone – including the judge, seemed to be in a cranky mood on account of the sweltering heat.
At the time of the initial court arraignment, the honorable Judge Harold Jenkins asked Sal Bower, “How does your client, Mr. Todd Waddington, plea?”
“Your honor, my client, Todd Waddington, pleads complete, total, and utter insanity.”
“A simple plea of ‘insanity’ would suffice. The court will set a future court date after we assemble a jury of his peers – although my first impression is that Mr. Waddington really has no peers. Thus, I will set a tentative court date for six months from today. Mr. Bower, since your client entered a plea of insanity, it is your responsibility to have him psychologically evaluated by a licensed psychiatrist prior to court date. Does the council have any requests?”
“Yes, your honor – since my client has no means of posting any bail, I recommend that he be kept in solitary confinement until the time of his official trial – for his safety, and probably more importantly, for the safety of others.”
“Mr. Bower, I wholeheartedly agree. Thus, permission is granted to keep Mr. Waddington separated from other, normal inmates by assigning him to solitary confinement.”
“Thank you, your honor,” said a nervous-looking Sal.
After another couple weeks of solitary confinement, the prison guard got Todd’s attention when he raked his nightstick over the steel bar door. “Hey, perk up – someone’s here ta see ya.”
Todd was surprised to finally get a visit from Sal Bower. However, he wasn’t alone…
“Good afternoon, Todd,” said Sal. “I’d like for you to meet Dr. Agnes Porter. She’s a psychiatrist, and she’s hear to evaluate your mental condition.”
Dr. Agnes Porter was in her mid-forties, trim and well-groomed, but she had the icy charm of a female grizzly bear coming out of hibernation. Her eyes seemingly never blinked when she spoke. She moved about with a militant-type of grace with perfectly, straight posture.
Todd continued to sit down on the edge of his bed mattress and intentionally showed no interest in communicating with neither Sal nor Dr. Porter, although he actually was listening intently…
“Todd, Dr. Porter’s evaluation is instrumental in keeping you from getting the death penalty. Even if you don’t value your own life, a death penalty is no easy way out. You can expect to be on death row for many years, with several hurdles to cross. In the meantime, you can expect to sit in solitary confinement for what will seem like an eternity.”
Todd continued to sit there without even looking up at his visitors.
Meanwhile, Dr. Porter silently studied the self-mutilation scars on Todd’s face. They were far more garish in person than in the photos she had seen.
“Todd, I’m very disappointed in your behavior,” said Sal. “I’m losing interest in fighting to protect your personal interests.”
“Excuse, me, Mr. Bower,” interrupted Dr. Porter. “I’d like to have a private conversation with Mr. Waddington.”
“I’m concerned for your safety, Dr. Porter. After all, this man is known as ‘The Texas Chainsaw Masochist’.”
“I’ve already studied Todd’s case history, and every single one of his victims were people off ill repute. Only his latest victim, Barney Wallace, could be referred to as an upstanding citizen, but apparently he provoked Mr. Waddington when he showed up at his doorstep, ready to evict him from the house he had grown up in. I am quite confident that Mr. Waddington will treat me with respect. If I should end up feeling threatened in any way, I will promptly notify the guards – but that isn’t going to be necessary, Todd – isn’t that so?”
Todd raised his head and looked at Dr. Porter for the first time, and nodded his head, ‘yes’.
“I’ll just kill some time in the cafeteria,” said Sal who left in a huff.
Once Dr. Porter was alone with Todd in his cell she asked him, “Can you keep a little secret?”
Todd was becoming a bit curious by his visitor. He spoke for the first time in over two weeks when he said, “Y-yeah.”
“I heard about your fascinating case, and I traveled all the way here from Rogers, Arkansas where I run the ward for the criminally insane. Actually, the secret that I ask you to keep is that I’m a big fan of yours. I admire the fact that you bestowed it upon yourself to rid the world of many, truly, bad people. I’m also aware that you also are a compassionate man – and that you always hurt yourself after punishing your victims. Secretly, I greatly admire those attributes, but you must keep this as our little secret. Do you promise not to tell anyone about my feelings of admiration?”
“Y-yeah, D-Dr. P-Porter. I t-tell no one.”
“Well, let me help your situation as much as I can. Your public defender, Sal Bower, is correct about one thing – it’s definitely in your best interests to avoid the death penalty. Realistically, your best chance is to have your actions explained by way of insanity. If I write a convincing report, I can request that the judge order you to be institutionalized at my asylum in Arkansas. You would definitely like it there, since many of our inmates are very bad people, and sometimes I encourage some physical contact between the patients to get rid of some of their pent up aggression. I think you’d be a perfect fit for the games we sometimes like to play.”
“I l-like t-to play g-games,” replied Todd enthusiastically.
“I’m so glad to see that we are going to get along so well.”
Dr. Porter took out a notebo
ok and pen, and began to assemble a case to present in court. Although she was quite certain that Todd was a sociopath with poor anger-management skills, she was aware that most other prison inmates also fit that same description. Thus, to be certain that Todd would be admitted to her asylum, she decided to make her evaluation report to depict Todd Waddington as an outright psychopath, who had no recollection and no remorse for his victims. She needed to coach Todd to play along accordingly – especially during the upcoming trial.
“Todd, when we’re at your trial, be aware that I might say some things about you which might make you sound crazier than you really are. Just remember – it’s just a game – and we will win the game if we convince everyone that you are a full-blown psychopath. If the prosecuting attorney puts you on the witness stand, it’s important that you simply say, ‘I don’t remember killing anyone’ – don’t show any remorse – just act like you don’t understand why you are there, and you have no idea what’s going on. With my accompanying report, the judge will have no other choice than to declare you ‘insane’, and you’ll be free to come stay with me at the asylum in Arkansas, where you can have a lot of fun playing games with others. So, Todd – do we have an agreement?”
“Y-yeah, D-Dr. P-Porter.”
“Great. I’m about ready to go. Now, I want you to tear off the sleeve to my blouse, and I’ll act scared by calling the guard. Remember, this is just a game.”
For the first time in ages, Todd actually smiled. He grabbed the end of Dr. Porter’s sleeve and gave a powerful yank. The sleeve easily gave way, and in a phony panic Dr. Porter yelled, “Help me! Guard, let me out of here! I’m being attacked by this psycho!”
A moment later, an armed guard ran to the rescue with a Taser pointed at Todd. Dr. Porter told the guard, “You don’t need to zap him – just get me out of here. This Texas Chainsaw Masochist is definitely a crazy, dangerous psychopath.”
CHAPTER 9
During the time leading up to the trial, Dr. Porter made frequent trips to visit Todd’s jail cell. After Todd’s staged attack during her initial visit, the guards would not permit Dr. Porter to enter his cell. Thus, all their meetings were conducted by having Dr. Porter stand in the hallway, and she had to communicate with Todd with a steel-bar wall separating them. As long as the guards offered them privacy, Dr. Porter willingly accepted their safety precautions.
Over time, Dr. Porter managed to gain Todd’s complete trust. It wasn’t long before he coveted being admitted to her asylum in Rogers, Arkansas. Eventually, he fully discarded the notion that he wished to receive the death penalty. Instead, he now focused on achieving the goal of being admitted to her asylum in Rogers, Arkansas.
However, Todd was unaware of Dr. Porter’s ulterior motive for helping him to avoid the death penalty. In actuality, she was recruiting him to become her right hand man – her enforcer at the asylum. Dr. Porter had the sole power of filling out death certificates at her institution. This gave her the control to report any ‘cause of death’ in whichever manner she saw fit. Thus, with Todd at her side, Dr. Porter could literally get away with murder. All she needed was a loyal, dedicated patient, who was adept at killing people – and Todd Waddington was the perfect man for her needs.
Finally, the opening day of the trial arrived. The entire courthouse was packed with TV and newspaper reporters, along with hundreds of cameramen representing various publications. Todd was led into the courtroom, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, while sporting handcuffs and ankle chains. Many people in the audience gasped out loud as they stared at Todd’s mutilated facial features.
“Ladies and gentlemen – This court is now in session,” said the bailiff. “All rise for the honorable Judge Harold Jenkins, presiding. Announcing the case of the defendant, Todd Waddington, versus the people of the State of Texas.”
“I warn all you cameramen that no photos are to be taken in this courtroom,” said the stout, middle-aged judge while pointing his index finger towards a huge contingent of photographers. “OK, let’s proceed. We’ll begin by hearing the opening statement of the prosecution.”
The prosecuting attorney was a sharp, Jewish attorney named Benjamin Goldwater. He was famous for seeking and obtaining the death penalty for many other perpetrators in the past.
He made sure to establish eye contact with each member of the jury as he spoke, “The accused person sitting over there, Todd Waddington, is a serial killer who is commonly known as the Texas Chainsaw Masochist. At the time of his capture, a collection of 24 severed hands was found in his possession. Most of these hands were in various stages of decay, but they clearly belonged to 24 different people. While many of his victims remain unidentified, his three most recent victims were: Barney Wallace – an upstanding member of society and avid church member; Peter Lufkin – a member of the Mongol Nation gang; and Kyle Puckett – his boss at the morgue where Mr. Waddington was employed during the past year and a half.”
An enraged Todd stood up and shouted, “I d-didn’t k-kill K-K-Kyle – he was m-my f-friend.”
The judge slammed down his gavel several times in rapid succession and said, “Order in the court, order in the court – hey, you – public defender, you need to keep your client under control. If he has another outburst, I’ll hold both of you in contempt of court.”
“I’m sorry, your honor,” replied Sal Bower, who turned around and whispered to Todd, “You need to sit down and behave. You’ll get your chance to be heard later on.”
“OK, Mr. Goldwater – you may continue,” said Judge Jenkins.
“The prosecution plans to present irrefutable evidence that the defendant, Mr. Waddington, knowingly and repeatedly, tortured his victims to death, using the most gruesome, and heinous methods conceivable. It is believed that Mr. Waddington conveniently used the morgue’s crematory to incinerate the bodies of his victims, while retaining only a severed hand from each cadaver as a keepsake. The prosecution will present evidence that all of his murders were premeditated, and performed as part of some perverse game he conceived. Thus, the State of Texas is demanding that Todd Waddington, also known as the Texas Chainsaw Masochist, is handed the death penalty.”
“Thank you, Mr. Goldwater, for a brilliant opening statement,” said the judge. “OK – public defender – by the way, I forgot your name…”
“My name is, Sal Bower – your honor.”
“Well, let’s have your opening statement, Mr. Bowser,” said the judge.
“It’s ‘Bower’ – your honor.”
“Whatever – you may proceed.”
Although Sal turned to face the jury, unlike the prosecuting attorney, he made no attempt to make eye contact with any of them as he spoke…
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen. The defense plans to show evidence to cast doubt that my client, Todd Waddington, is a serial killer at all. The defense admits that my client, Todd Waddington, is indeed only responsible for two of the fatalities, and the evidence of the other murders he is charged with is purely circumstantial. In the case of Kyle Puckett, my client claims that the Mongol biker, Peter Lufkin, stabbed Mr. Puckett to death, and he ended up killing the biker in an act of self-defense. The only murder to which the defense confesses to concerns the case of Barney Wallace. Mr. Wallace came to my client’s place of residence to evict him from the house he grew up in. Mr. Waddington felt threatened by Mr. Wallace’s action and he attacked him. Thus, we would be willing to accept the lesser charge of ‘aggravated manslaughter’, since my client clearly did not have any premeditated notion of killing him. Finally, at the time of the arraignment approximately six months ago, my client entered the plea of ‘insanity’. Mr. Waddington has already undergone extensive psychological evaluation by an accredited psychiatrist to support that claim.”
“Thank you for your opening statement, Mr. Bowser,” said the judge. “OK, we are ready to begin the trial. Prosecution – you may call your first witness.”
“Your honor, I would like to call Sheriff John Banner to the witn
ess stand,” said Benjamin Goldwater.
The sheriff had a generous ‘donut belly’ on him, and was in the twilight years of his career. He approached the witness stand, and then turned around to face the audience.
The bailiff approached the witness stand and said, “Sheriff John Banner, raise your hand. Do you swear to tell the court the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”
“I do.”
“You may be seated,” said the bailiff.
Benjamin Goldwater rubbed his hands as he asked the sheriff, “I understand that you were in charge the day you arrested Mr. Waddington at his own residence on the morning of September 22nd – isn’t that so?”
“Yes, sir – that is correct.”
“Sheriff Banner, would you please tell the court what you witnessed on that fateful morning?”
“Our local police headquarters had received a missing person’s alert from Audrey Wallace, the wife of Barney Wallace, when he failed to come home the previous night. By the time we found out that Mr. Wallace was hired to post an eviction notice at Mr. Waddington’s property for failure to pay his property tax, we planned to follow up on the lead by making a routine checkup at the Waddington residence. However, we subsequently got a 911 call from his next-door neighbor who heard what he described as screams of agony coming from the Waddington residence, so we promptly rounded up every available squad car and headed quickly to his house.”
“When you arrived at the scene, can you tell us what you saw?” asked the confident-looking, prosecuting attorney.
“Oddly enough, as soon as I stepped out of my squad car, I overheard the sound of a chainsaw being operated from within the residence. Personally, I don’t recollect anyone ever using a chainsaw indoors, so I ordered all my deputies to draw their guns. I used a bullhorn to tell anyone inside the house to come out with their hands up.”
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