The Buzz: Serial Killer Caught, Or Confused?
America is the self-proclaimed land of opportunity, even if that means having the opportunity to be a serial killer. From H.H. Holmes to Ted Bundy, America has been a breeding ground for the demented and determined to end as many lives as possible. While the incorporation of DNA forensics and analysis has made it easier for criminals to be apprehended, this wasn’t always the case. The 80s especially saw an increase in reported serial killings, igniting a nationwide obsession with them. Serial killers became as infamous as celebrities. From Jeffrey Dahmer to Larry Eyler to Doug Clark and Carol Bundy – no relation to Ted Bundy – the 80s was the decade for murder and mayhem. But of these names, none presented such a confusing and paradoxical case as Henry Lee Lucas. Lucas has been accredited with over 200 crimes, claiming to have killed with everything “except poison”. Of the 200 plus confessions, only three of these had any physical evidence.
In Netflix’s documentary series, The Confession Killer, a closer look is taken into the confessions of Henry Lee Lucas. The series totals to five episodes each under one hour. The series draws attention to the serious inconsistencies of Lucas’ statements, such as the fact that he was not physically present in the states of murders he claims responsibility for during the victim’s time of death. It is literally impossible for him to have committed the kill, and yet he still confessed. The Confession Killer turns to the Texas Rangers, a law enforcement agency, for the answers. Whether intentionally or not, the Rangers may have allowed Lucas to have access to evidence such as photographs of the crime scene or even fed him information that would affect his answers.
Lucas is a murder. That much is certain. The question isn’t did he kill, but how many. Unlike most suspects in custody, Lucas didn’t downplay his responses; instead he would exaggerate and embellish details. His time in custody with Sheriff Boutwell, the reigning sheriff of Williamson County at the time, was the most attention and interest he’d ever received in his life. Lucas was arrested and found guilty for the murder of his abusive mother in the 60s and was questioned for the murders of his fifteen-year-old girlfriend, Becky Powell, and his landlord, Kate Rich in 1983. During his trial, Lucas asked what to do “about the hundred or so other women” he had killed. Panic thus ensued. Following the pandemonium, the Texas Rangers established a coordinating task force meant to help facilitate communications between Lucas and the hundreds of interested law enforcement officers and reporters who wanted to talk to him.
The documentary is wonderfully adept at storytelling. It maintains interest by juxtaposing conflicting opinions and beliefs, such as former Texas Ranger Bob Prince and reporter Hugh Aynesworth who also covered and wrote material for the Ted Bundy cases. There is archival footage included and sound bites spanning decades covering not just Lucas, but of those around him as well. For instance, Sister Clemmie, the jailhouse minister who is seen as an influencer on Lucas testifying, is included in the documentary. Lucas was the poster boy for serial killers in the 80s. He fit the description set in the 80s and had an accident in his youth that affected his ability to empathize and his impulse control. He, in addition to his friend Otis Toole, also confessed to the crimes, regardless of the reality of it.
Lucas was treated like a king with the Texas Rangers. A king, but led and fooled like a dog. The Confession Killer paints a stunning portrayal of incompetence and negligence on the part of the Texas Rangers. Not to discredit or shame the Rangers, but it is undeniable that they were so eager to close cases, that they failed to find the individual responsible. As one “talking head” said, Rangers were literally allowing the people responsible “to get away with murder”. Lucas often gave conflicting answers, stating that “he did do it” to the Rangers and then telling reporters that “he had nothing to do with it”. He was wishy-washy and unable to keep his story straight. Even then, the Rangers refused to believe anything other than what they wanted to hear.
Arguably, more interesting than Lucas’ case, is the animosity and legal troubles surrounding it. Vic Feazell, a former district attorney, faced the wrath and legal block of the Texas Rangers. He was accused of everything from bribery and even had his dog poisoned. Feazell incurred the Rangers’ wrath for publicly questioning them and calling attention to the fact that Lucas may have not been responsible for all the crimes. He was essentially targeted for something that has now been proven as fact. Oddly enough, there was even what seemed like a custody battle over Lucas between them.
Episode two and five focus on the victims and surviving loved ones. It is the remaining loved ones who truly push forth the fact that Lucas was innocent of nearly all his confessions. They have more reason than any to want to have seen Lucas dead, and in fact, that is something they called for in the past. Yet, new evidence has been brought to light, showcasing that Lucas was often wrong or made several inconsistencies in his claims. He was even prompted by legal officers at times to give certain answers or responses. A few of the surviving loved ones have even lived long enough to have had the real killers brought to justice.
The Confession Killer is a gripping documentary. With only five episodes, it spans decades and various cases. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger and weaves seamlessly into the next. It’s like listening to a horror story and a drama hybrid. Obviously, the substance of the documentary can be disheartening, both in terms of the murders as well as the legal ineptitude, but it’s compelling in a way few shows are. This non-fiction documentary is better than most of Netflix’s original fiction dramas.