Wichita

As the BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader thrived on having the last word during a 17-year slaying spree that claimed 10 lives. But as family members of the victims took their turn at the microphone on Thursday to confront the killer during his sentencing hearing, Rader could do nothing but listen as they vented their anger.

The sentencing of a longtime serial killer this week will allow the families of his victims to confront him in court for the first time. But they also will hear in graphic terms the depravity of the crimes that terrorised this community for more than three decades.