The Silence of the Psychopaths

After New Yorker Joel Rifkin (yearbook photo, left) confessed last week to murdering 17 prostitutes, a high school classmate said he was "quiet, shy, not the kind of guy who would do something like this." It's the quiet ones you've got to watch.

DAVID BERKOWITZ

Convicted of six "Son of Sam" murders, 1976 and 1977

"He was quiet and reserved and kept pretty much to himself." -- ARMY BUDDY. "That's the way he was here, nice -- a quiet, shy fellow." -- BOSS

JUAN CORONA

Convicted of 25 murders of itinerant workers, 1971

"That's the kind of man he is -- kept to himself and never said much, for the most part." -- FRIEND

JEFFREY DAHMER

Confessed to killing and dismembering 17 people, 1991

"He didn't have much to say about anything, just 'Hi, nice to meet you' He seemed quiet." -- FRIEND OF VICTIM

WESTLEY ALLAN DODD

Executed in 1993 for the kidnapping, rape and murder of three small boys

"Wes seemed so harmless, such an all-around, basic good citizen." -- NEIGHBOR

JOHN ESPOSITO

Charged with kidnapping Katie Beers, 10, and keeping her in an underground bunker for 16 days, 1993

"He was such a quiet, caring person. He was a very nice person." -- NEIGHBOR

MICHAEL GRIFFIN

Confessed to murdering a doctor who performed abortions, 1993

"Very nice and well-spoken mild-mannered, very quiet." -- FRIEND