Philadelphia was still reeling from 1985's MOVE disaster when 43-year-old Gary Heidnik became our Ted Bundy, with his own brand of horror that included rape, torture, and rumors of cannibalism.
His neighbors and friends thought Heidnik — whose IQ was 148 — was an eccentric oddball, but certainly didn't consider him capable of the gruesome evil that played out for months in his North Philadelphia cellar.
When the case came to trial before then-Judge Lynne Abraham, a young, publicity-hungry Chuck Peruto tried to convince a jury — and the country — that Heidnik was insane and therefore not responsible for his crimes.
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