FBI's mistake left suspect free while 4 women slain.(News)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), June, 2001 | by Kazak, David R.

Byline: David R. Kazak and John Patterson Daily Herald Staff Writers An admitted mistake by FBI agents investigating accused serial killer Paul F. Runge gave the convicted rapist 14 months of freedom, during which time four of the seven women he is charged with murdering were killed. Runge was charged this week with the brutal crimes.

Between 1995 and 1997, Runge, 31, raped his victims, bludgeoned them to death and, in some cases, dismembered or burned their bodies, federal and state authorities said, adding that he has admitted to the murders. On Friday, however, the focus of the case shifted to the FBI, which admitted it didn't turn vital information it had unearthed in its investigation over to state prison officials - information that could have...