A Deadly Grievance: The Troubling Tale of Theodore Streleski

In August 1978, a troubled and struggling Stanford grad student named Theodore Streleski bludgeoned a highly regarded professor to death in what he called an act of “protest”

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Depiction of Theodore Streleski (Image generated via Midjourney)

Background

Around 8 a.m. on a misty September morning in 1985, reporters and photographers stood by, awaiting their chance to ask questions to an unrepentant killer. 49-year-old Theodore Streleski had been released from prison after serving just over seven years for a second-degree murder conviction.

As Streleski fielded questions at the impromptu press conference, his answers were less than reassuring. When asked about the possibility of killing again, Streleski said, “I have no intention of killing again.” However, he then followed up with, “I can’t predict the future. I murdered before.”

When asked if he was remorseful, Streleski replied, “I have never felt remorse. I killed the man, and I…