2nd bill would keep BTK out of national cemetery
Washington ? Kansas Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback introduced a bill in the Senate on Monday to keep anyone convicted of a capital offense – including BTK serial killer Dennis Rader – from being buried in a national cemetery.
The senators, both Republicans, said the measure would close a loophole under current law that allows convicted murderers sentenced to life imprisonment with a chance for parole to be eligible for the military honor.
Rader, an Air Force veteran, pleaded guilty to murder earlier this year in Wichita, Kan., and was sentenced to a minimum of 175 years in prison. He is technically eligible for parole in 2180.
The bill is similar to legislation offered by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., in the House last week, and introduced in the Senate by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., on Sept. 22.