GRIPPNG his walking stick tightly, a hunched-over Ronald Dominique,
42, needed help from detectives to plod out of the Louisiana
courthouse.
-- AP
Short, overweight and suffering from a heart condition, the
homeless man hardly seemed like a brutal serial killer.
But three days ago, Dominique was charged with the murders of two
men. He is also suspected of killing 21 others, mostly homeless
males, between the ages of 16 and 46.
It is believed that the killings took place in Louisiana between
1997 and 2005.
The police alleged that Dominique raped, strangled and suffocated
his victims before dumping their bodies in remote spots.
On 1 Dec, Dominique was arrested at the homeless shelter where he
was staying.
According to reports, he went willingly with police officers to the
Terrebonne Parish jail.
He will held there without bail until a 17 Jan hearing.
Terrebonne sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Dominique, whom he
described as a 'nobody', had eagerly confessed to the
killings.
Said Mr Larpenter: 'We'd been talking to him for just a short
period of time and he started giving it up. I don't know what
prompted it. Maybe he just wanted to clear his conscience.'
Dominique also voluntarily gave investigators a DNA sample, which
connected him to the two murders.
-- AP
According to the police, Dominique was a charmer. He allegedly met
his victims while he was walking or cycling on the street, and
would chat with them. He then offered them a ride or talked them
into sex.
The district attorney said he plans to seek the death penalty for
Dominique.
This is not the man's first brush with the law. Investigators said
that over the years, Dominique has been charged seven times and
jailed twice for traffic violations, simple battery and disturbing
the peace by offensive language.
But one case held vital clues for his later crimes, according to
the police. On 25 Aug, Dominique was arrested for rape and
remanded.
However, the case did not go to trial as the victim could not be
found.
The police said that a break in the case came when an ex-convict
told his parole agent about escaping from a man who wanted to tie
him up for sex.
Dominique allegedly told the police that his previous encounters in
prison left him determined not to go back.
According to FBI Special Agent Jim Bernazzani, this is the most
significant current serial killer case for FBI profilers.
He said: 'A serial killer like this hides in plain sight. That's
why they are so effective.' - AP
