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Serial killer writes Duquesne University criminology students back

PITTSBURGH — A group of students at Duquesne University wrote a letter to a serial killer hoping he would write back, and he did.
 
Only Channel 11 was there Tuesday when the students opened the letter from Gerald Parker.
 
Parker, dubbed the bedroom basher, is currently on death row in California, convicted for raping and murdering five women in Orange County in 1998.
 
With the supervision of instructors, retired Pittsburgh police homicide commander Ron Freeman and Ross Township detective Brian Kolhepp, criminology students wrote Parker, hoping he would reveal more about his crimes.
 
"It's not an ordinary classroom, as you can see by their enthusiasm.  They're really into it," said Freeman.
 
"My case is still pending in the courts.  I would like to help you and other students, but first I need to talk to my attorneys," Parker wrote.
 
Parker, who confessed his crimes to police, did not reveal his sinister side to the class but promised to keep writing.
 
"It was kind of disappointing, but it was kind of interesting that we got a letter back," said student Michael McBride.