Today is Saturday, September 26, 2020. On this day in 1985, Robert Burdella, Jr.,

aka the Kansas City Butcher, brutally abused and murdered his fourth victim, James Ferris.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a podcast original due to the graphic nature of today's crimes.

Listener discretion is advised. Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13.

Today we're covering the torture and murder of 25-year-old James Ferris.

Let's go back to a dingy Kansas City bar on September 26, 1985.

James Ferris tapped his foot anxiously against the bar stool, nursing a beer.

He hoped his friend would arrive soon. He didn't have the money to pay for the drink on his own.

Just as he was considering giving up and slipping out the back door,

he felt a large rough hand on the back of his neck. He turned to see 36-year-old Robert Burdella,

a large man with a thick mustache standing beside him. James smiled and motioned to the stool

next to him. Burdella sat down and ordered a drink. The two of them spent the next few minutes

catching up. They didn't know each other too well, but that only made James more eager to talk.

He'd alienated nearly everyone else in his life, including his wife, Bonnie, because of his drug

addiction. In fact, Burdella was probably the only person in Missouri that would have taken his

call. James was at the end of his rope. He didn't have anywhere to sleep that night.

When Burdella agreed to let him stay over, James nearly broke down in tears. He started to thank

his friend, but Burdella wouldn't hear it. They'd get even somehow.

After they finished their drinks, James went back to Burdella's house for dinner.

Something about his food tasted wrong. It was chalky and medicinal, but James didn't say anything.

After all that Burdella had done for him, the least he could do was eat some cruddy food.

But all too quickly, James realized his mistake. He suddenly felt light-headed. He tried to stand,

...