HOUSTON (AP) - The letters are unfailingly polite. There's
nothing to suggest that they were penned by David Berkowitz, known
as the Son of Sam, who once terrorized New York City with his
missives.
     
In these letters, sent from a prison cell in upstate New York to
an office in Houston's city hall annex, there is an effort to prove
contrition for the homicides back then.
     
The letters from the notorious serial killer are addressed to
Andy Kahan (Khan), crime victim advocate for the city of Houston.
They reveal an unlikely decade-long alliance that began with a
simple form letter.
     
Kahan is a crusader against serial killer memorabilia. So when
he wanted to ratchet up his campaign against the sellers of
"murderabilia," he decided to go straight to the killers
themselves.
     
Kahan sent out form letters to 20 serial killers, including
Berkowitz: Did they know that their autographs, drawings, letters
and other personal belongings were being sold through online
auction sites? Did they approve of the practice? Were they making
money from the sales?
     
Twelve responded to the 2000 letter. But only Berkowitz seemed
to embrace the cause.
     
"Dear Mr. Kahan," Berkowitz wrote in his October 26th reply.
"I am very bothered and troubled by what these auction sites are
doing ... I am willing to help in any way I can."
     
Berkowitz included a notarized statement disavowing involvement
in any sale of murderabilia -- and swearing regret for the murder
spree in which he killed six women and shot seven others.
     

     
      (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)
     
AP-NY-06-26-09 1316EDT