Why Would Any Woman Want to Marry van der Sloot?
Joran Van der Sloot may be behind bars, but he claims his popularity is on the rise.
The Dutchman, 22, is accused of killing Peruvian business student Stephany Flores, 21, in his Lima hotel room May 30. He's confessed, but claims the confession was coerced and he was tricked into giving it, and he wants it tossed out. He also remains the chief suspect in the 2005 disappearance in Aruba of Alabama teen Natallee Holloway.
Van der Sloot told a Dutch newspaper he's received dozens of marriage proposals from women sending him letters.
What are those women -- and others who've sought relationships with other criminals -- thinking?
It has little to do with the men, and more to do with the women themselves, Northeastern University criminologist Jack Levin explained on "The Early Show" Wednesday.
Men may be notorious killers but, says Levin, they have somehow become the new celebrity, showing up everywhere from magazine covers to T-shirts.
Inside van der Sloot's Prison Cell: Have a Look!
Van der Sloot Boasts of Marriage Offers
Van der Sloot Clams Up with Peruvian Judge
Inside Van der Sloot's Prison Cell
Expert: Van der Sloot's Moms Words May Boost Insanity Plea
Photos: Stephany Flores Murder
Photos: Van der Sloot Wanted for Murder
Photos: Natalee Holloway, Paradise Lost
"These women would love to date and marry a rock star or a rap idol," Levin pointed out. "But if they send a letter to a rock star, they're lucky if they get some kind of computerized signature on a photograph and that's it," explained Levin. "These new celebrities, these inmates, are very different. These women may actually get a marriage proposal." The appeal of those inmates is getting the response.
Even someone like Van der Sloot who, a psychological evaluation found, has no respect for women is still a seductive candidate, because these women believe he isn't guilty.
"These guys are so shrewd that they talk the women into believing they are innocent victims of injustice," said Levin. "Sometimes, the women who end up dating or even marrying these guys are given a mission, a purpose in life. They are going to show the world that their man is innocent."
As for Van der Sloot himself, he knows he is in hot water this time, Levin says, adding Van der Sloot is using the same tactics he used years ago in Aruba as what Levin calls "a manipulative sociopath.
"But this time, it's not going to work, because there's a tremendous amount of physical evidence against him. That's going to make all the difference," said Levin.
Copyright 2010 CBS. All rights reserved. The Dutchman, 22, is accused of killing Peruvian business student Stephany Flores, 21, in his Lima hotel room May 30. He's confessed, but claims the confession was coerced and he was tricked into giving it, and he wants it tossed out. He also remains the chief suspect in the 2005 disappearance in Aruba of Alabama teen Natallee Holloway.
Van der Sloot told a Dutch newspaper he's received dozens of marriage proposals from women sending him letters.
What are those women -- and others who've sought relationships with other criminals -- thinking?
It has little to do with the men, and more to do with the women themselves, Northeastern University criminologist Jack Levin explained on "The Early Show" Wednesday.
Men may be notorious killers but, says Levin, they have somehow become the new celebrity, showing up everywhere from magazine covers to T-shirts.
Inside van der Sloot's Prison Cell: Have a Look!
Van der Sloot Boasts of Marriage Offers
Van der Sloot Clams Up with Peruvian Judge
Inside Van der Sloot's Prison Cell
Expert: Van der Sloot's Moms Words May Boost Insanity Plea
Photos: Stephany Flores Murder
Photos: Van der Sloot Wanted for Murder
Photos: Natalee Holloway, Paradise Lost
"These women would love to date and marry a rock star or a rap idol," Levin pointed out. "But if they send a letter to a rock star, they're lucky if they get some kind of computerized signature on a photograph and that's it," explained Levin. "These new celebrities, these inmates, are very different. These women may actually get a marriage proposal." The appeal of those inmates is getting the response.
Even someone like Van der Sloot who, a psychological evaluation found, has no respect for women is still a seductive candidate, because these women believe he isn't guilty.
"These guys are so shrewd that they talk the women into believing they are innocent victims of injustice," said Levin. "Sometimes, the women who end up dating or even marrying these guys are given a mission, a purpose in life. They are going to show the world that their man is innocent."
As for Van der Sloot himself, he knows he is in hot water this time, Levin says, adding Van der Sloot is using the same tactics he used years ago in Aruba as what Levin calls "a manipulative sociopath.
"But this time, it's not going to work, because there's a tremendous amount of physical evidence against him. That's going to make all the difference," said Levin.
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This arrangement will last for the rest of his life, however long or short his wretched existance may be.
Brave Joran will never be raped in prison. He will simply be ordered to asssume the position and will meekly give it up. He is a bully, and like all bullies, a coward.
I don't think the old, throw wine in their faces and beat them to death with a tennis racquet trick will work too well against those guys.
In any case, a butt-ugly, Dumbo eared punk like him should be flattered by all the attention he will receive from his new friends, that is, until his masters get bored with him and cut his lying throat.