Conversations with a Killer finale recap: Burn Bundy Burn

In the finale of Netflix series Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, we see what led to Bundy’s confession days before his execution.

The finale of Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes begins looking at May of 1979. Ted Bundy was on trial for murdering three women in Florida, after fleeing charges in Colorado. Because he couldn’t keep from killing, the world gained even more reason to lock him up forever — if not put him to death. That’s what his trial was for, with or without the media spectacle.

With Judge Edward Cowart presiding, Prosecutor Larry Simpson says the Chi Omega case was a trial by fire for him. Strangely, there wasn’t a vast amount of evidence in this case, as Bundy struck very quickly. Bundy’s Defense Attorney, Michael Minerva, says the forensic evidence was “sketchy,” and that Bundy was instructed to be low-profile, or to “sit quietly and look innocent.” Due to his ego-maniacal nature, Bundy didn’t listen. The trial was an opportunity to show off.

Also, because Bundy wanted to appear normal, he rejected a plea deal wherein his life would’ve been spared. Why? It would have required his admitting guilt. Because Bundy was sabotaging his defense strategy, Minerva wanted to opt out. Cowart didn’t allow it, so Minerva became a legal adviser instead. However, when Bundy became co-counsel to his own defense, he basically signed his own death warrant.

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July 1, 1979

By the time Margaret Good joined Bundy’s team, she questioned his competency. He had motioned for a change of menu in the jail, and had complaints about lighting in cell. In the trial itself, Bundy made the bad decision to cross-examine witnesses himself. When it came to Officer Ray Crew, Ted actually wanted more details of what he observed at crime scene. Disgustingly, it seemed like he enjoyed the details. In a pivotal moment, Nita Neary, a witness and resident of the Chi Omega sorority house, pointed out Ted as the man she saw fleeing with the murder weapon — an oak log.

However, Attorney Robert Haggard revealed she didn’t have clear identification of Ted. Remarkably, Ted either fired Haggard or inspired him to leave. Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes does an excellent job of showing Ted’s self-sabotaging ego. Meanwhile, women were entering the courtroom, wanting to pass notes to Bundy. Carole Ann Boone was also becoming closer to him. At this point, Leon County Sherriff Ken Katsaris feared Bundy might get away with it.

Crooked teeth of a crooked man

The tide turned against Bundy when Richard Souviron, a Forensic Odontologist, matched Bundy’s crooked teeth to a bite mark on a victim’s buttock. Minerva still calls it “junk science” and Good suggests it’s “gross speculation.” However, it was a significant moment. Because Bundy felt embittered, he childishly jammed his cell door’s lock with toilet paper the next morning. Judge Cowart lectured him about him about it, adding: “Don’t shake your finger at me.” Obviously, Bundy did not understanding that jail is punishment, and that he was not going to receive special care and consideration.

1979-1984

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes looks at the moment when Bundy was found guilty and sentenced to die. Cowart told Bundy: “You’d have made a good lawyer and I would have loved to have you practice in front of me, but you went another way, partner. I don’t feel any animosity toward you. I want you to know that. Take care of yourself.” While some question his words, they were among the last kind words he’d ever hear. There’s also a general sentiment that, perhaps, had his brain developed differently, it could have been capable of good. However, when we see the 1979 trial for the murder of 12-year-old Kim Leach, we’re reminded that he was undeniably terrible, and wouldn’t even limit himself by age range.

Prosecutor George Dekle says the 2nd trial was necessary to assure that Bundy would never get out. There was actually more evidence this time, too. At least one witness saw Bundy putting Leach into a van, and there was a blood stain in the vehicle consistent with her blood type. There was also fiber and shoe imprint evidence. Dekle calls Ted Bundy “a piece of garbage in the shape of a human being.” Still, during the trial, the trash was married to Carole Ann Boone in an impromptu wedding ceremony. In fact, they conceived a baby while he was in prison. Rather ironically, the child was female. How could Bundy have had female fans, even after his crimes were known?

In an interview with journalists Stephen Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth, Bundy said “I am in the enviable position of not having to feel any guilt…guilt is this mechanism we use to control people. It’s an illusion.” By 1984, Bundy was also interviewed by FBI Special Agent Bill Hagmaier, which gave more insight into his character (such as it was). It was also revealed that, quite often, serial killers return to crime scenes, and also that they may leave fake evidence to throw investigators off. Bundy’s new Lawyer at this time, Polly Nelson, revealed he was manic-depressive and did not feel empathy (though one wonders if he could understand it intellectually).

Final moments

Shortly before his death, Bundy confessed to various murders, providing insights that only the killer would likely know. It was a last-ditch effort to buy himself time, but it wouldn’t work. Still, Detective Robert D. Keppel took advantage. Bundy told Keppel nearly everything, generally in a whisper. He confessed to severing heads and discussed necrophilia. It devastated his mother, Louise Bundy, and probably others who previously defended him.

However, as his execution drew near, thousands of people celebrated outside, selling t-shirts, shooting fireworks, and saying “Burn Bundy burn.” At this time, Hugh Aynesworth said Ted was a wimp for sneaking up on girls. It’s one of the funniest moments in Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (not that it’s a humorous topic, but there it is). It’s also revealed that Bundy threatened to kill himself rather than let the government do it.

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What’s to blame?

As the chair drew closer, evangelist James Dobson interviewed Ted Bundy. Predictably, he blamed his murders on things like pornography. However, Aynesworth humorously notes that we all grew up having access to pornography, but it doesn’t turn us all into serial killers. Bundy maintained a connection with his victims years later. His cremated remains were put in the Cascade Mountains, where some of his victims were found.

As Bundy explained: “The really scary thing is you can’t identify [Bundy-like killers]. People don’t realize there are potential killers among them. How could anyone live in a society where people they liked, loved, lived with, worked with, and admired could the next day turn out to be the most demonic people imaginable?”

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Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes finale recap: Burn Bundy Burn

By Wade Wainio | Jun 3, 2019