Ep 5. Ted Bundy, Part 3: The Murder Trials

Ted Bundy remains as one of America's most notorious serial killers who was convicted of the murder of multiple women in the 1970s. The How It Really Happened series continues with Ted Bundy Part 3: The Murder Trials, which is the fifth episode of season three. The episode focuses on the trials and imprisonment of Bundy after his initial arrest in Florida.

The show starts with an introduction to Bundy, including how he became a person of interest and how his trial progressed with the prosecutors and defense attorneys setting their positions. The producers, through interviews with individuals acquainted with Bundy, emphasize his unique charm and ability to manipulate others into believing he was innocent. Bundy was known for not only being attractive but also for his high intelligence and legal knowledge, which he later used in both his defense and questioning the prosecution's argument.

The episode then details the initial trial, which raised several legal challenges against Bundy and the evidence presented. Bundy, acting as his own lawyer, challenged how the standard of evidence retained by the prosecution was being applied in his case. The show delves into the trial, focusing on the strategies of both the defense and the prosecution. The testimony of some witnesses was also highlighted, including Liz Kloepfer, Bundy's former girlfriend, and Carol DaRonch, one of the few survivors of the serial killer's attacks.

The episode spends a significant amount of time highlighting the key role of forensic evidence in Bundy's conviction, specifically how dental marks were used to match the assailant’s teeth with Bundy's. Dr. Richard Souviron, an FBI forensic odontologist, gave evidence to the jury that showed the bite marks found during investigations were consistent with Bundy's teeth. This was one of the first times that forensic odontology had been used in any criminal case.

The documentary discusses the gruesome nature of Bundy's murders and his lack of remorse for the crimes he committed. Even after his conviction, which he appealed several times, Bundy still struggled to confess to his actions, claiming that he needed to save the families of the victims from the trauma of the truth, which is a common tactic in manipulation. Bundy attempts to convince people that he was not responsible for the crimes and that he was wrongly accused.

The show closes with an explanation of Bundy's execution in the electric chair after he exhausted all appeal options, and the willingness of some people to believe that he was wrongly convicted even though it is undoubtedly clear that he was the murderer.

Overall, this episode of How It Really Happened Part 3: The Murder Trials is a fascinating glimpse into the legal aspects of Bundy's case. The show exposes how Bundy manipulated the legal system to prolong his trial and speaks to how forensic evidence played an essential role in his conviction. The producers examine the argument of the prosecutors and the defense attorneys and show how the forensic evidence and the dental match led to Bundy’s conviction. Bundy was a notorious murderer and legal case study, and this episode gives an insightful view into the case and the individuals involved.