Karen Conti, a lawyer, defended John Wayne Gacy during his final death row appeals from 1993 until his execution in 1994. Gacy, known as the “Killer Clown,” was convicted of 33 murders, but Conti believes there are more victims. She points to Gacy’s meticulously kept business records and his frequent travels to rural areas, suggesting that these areas may hold clues to additional victims. Conti believes there are at least 20 more victims that Gacy may have been involved in killing. She also suspects that Gacy had help from two men who lived with and had relationships with him during his crimes.
Conti referenced a victim who escaped Gacy’s grasp in 1978, Jeffrey Rignall, who testified that he believed Gacy had an accomplice during his ordeal. However, prosecutors did not want to complicate the case against Gacy by introducing other suspects. Conti believes that these two young men not only helped Gacy find victims but also participated in the crimes and helped bury the bodies. She also noted Gacy’s dark sense of humor and his ability to manipulate those around him.
At the time of Gacy’s arrest, Conti noted that he seemed relieved to be caught and behind bars. She believed that he knew if he were ever released, he would resume killing. Conti mentioned that Gacy had a troubled childhood, including sexual abuse, head injuries, and repressed homosexual tendencies. She suggested that his crimes were a form of self-destructive behavior. Despite receiving death threats and experiencing backlash for taking Gacy’s case, Conti has continued her career as a trial attorney for 37 years and is now an author, with a recent book about her experiences with Gacy.
Conti’s book, “Killing Time,” delves into her interactions with Gacy and explores how she navigated the public backlash and forged a relationship with a man considered evil by society. She emphasizes the humanity that Gacy possessed, despite his horrific crimes, and highlights the love of his family. The book provides insight into Conti’s motivations for taking on Gacy’s case and how she dealt with the challenges that came with defending such a notorious criminal. Throughout her career, Conti has faced a range of experiences, from threats to her reputation to a newfound interest from strangers intrigued by her work with Gacy.
