JACKSON, Mo. - Even Timothy Krajcir doesn't know why he committed a series of sexual assaults and nine murders in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Missouri detective who helped crack the case said Thursday.

Krajcir, 63, appeared via video before Cape Girardeau County Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp on Thursday in his first hearing on charges that he killed five women in Cape Girardeau more than a quarter of a century ago. Five additional charges were outlined for the first time -- four for sexual assaults and one for robbing an elderly couple of $130. All five of those crimes also occurred in Cape Girardeau, in 1981 and 1982.

In an arraignment that lasted less than one minute, Krajcir -- standing in a holding cell at the county jail and wearing black-rimmed glasses and orange jail clothing -- answered "Yes, sir" when asked if he understood the charges, and told the judge "Thank you" as the brief hearing concluded.

Review: 'Second Lives' makes the virtual real

A Journey Through Virtual Worlds," an engrossing travelogue of the author's explorations in alternate gaming realities, this kind of dual life is growing in popularity with staggering speed.

For instance, consider the digital world of Second Life, which allows "residents" to interact with others in a quasi-realistic landscape where players can build giant castles on their virtual land, give their avatars angel wings or jetpacks, and even start businesses that lead to real-world cash. In 2003, when the game premiered, it had 25,000 players, who paid monthly fees for access; today, it boasts more than 12 million residents. (It's so popular that the news agency Reuters has a reporter working full time in the game to sleuth out the latest virtual news.) In total, an estimated 70 million people worldwide regularly log onto enormous online game worlds like EverQuest and World of Warcraft, to do everything from hunt monsters to break dance in floating clubs.

Gomery blasts Tory response to sponsorship recommendations

There's that 'Blasts' word in a headline again. How original.Must be a confidence vote coming up. Everytime there is, we hear about detainess and accountability instead of the confidence issue.

Which confidence issue is being ignored this week?

The climate? The budget? The crime bill? Nope--that was last week.

Let's see---oh yeah---the Libs are about to vote against their own RESP PMB. Yikes. Better drag out the Randy White quotes also---need a BIG smokescreen to bury this one.... Posted 13/03/08 at 9:50 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment .