A Look At Thompson's Troubled Past

Suspect Acquitted Of Attempted Murder In '95

TARENTUM, Pa., Updated 11:41 p.m. EDT October 25, 2000 -- Damien Thompson, who is suspected in the brutal attempted rape of a college student at the University of Washington, had a troubled past in western Pennsylvania, WTAE-TV's Sheldon Ingram reports.

Sheldon Ingram Looks At Damien Thompson's Past

Thompson, 23, formerly of Natrona Heights, dropped out of the Highlands School District in ninth grade. Ingram said that Thompson told friends that he idolized serial killer Ted Bundy, who was put to death in 1989 for the deaths of more than 30 people.

Autumn Cook, a former friend of Thompson, told WTAE-TV's Jon Greiner that Thompson usually dressed in black and was a social outcast.

She said that Thompson studied serial killers and could quote anything that Bundy said. But she also said that Thompson was a victim of his fellow students at Highlands. She said that he was teased every day and that kids threw rocks at him.

Another one of Thompson's former friends said that Thompson liked to listen to the death-metal band "Deicide" and that Thompson liked to emulate the lead singer, who had a cross burned into his forehead.

Thompson ran into trouble with the law in 1995 when he was acquitted on attempted murder charges.

Police said that Thompson picked up a girl in Brackenridge that year. An altercation occurred while they were driving through Fawn Township, police said, and the girl was able to escape after being stabbed repeatedly.

WTAE-TV reports that Thompson is being held on an illegal weapons charge and other charges while police investigate. Thompson is being held on $250,000 bond.

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