Q and A with Paul Runge
interview
August 2010

Paul Runge is serving a death sentence for the 1997 rapes and murders of a mother and 10 year old daughter. Runge is also responsible for five other slayings in a string of attacks between January 1995 and March 1997. Paul is currently residing in Pontiac Correctional in Pontiac, Illinois.



Do you believe in the death penalty?
Damn Jessika, nothing like channeling your inner Barbara Walters. LOL! Okay, this may surprise you, but I'm a firm believer that if you make a decision to kill even one person out of

Paul Runge
Paul Runge
 anything but self defense, an eye for an eye or war, you should be prepared to pay with your own life.  If I'm guilty as charged with what I'm on death row for, I can't cry miscarriage of justice when it's time to get whacked. I firmly believe life is about finding a balance. Besides that, I can only say that in Illinois you might kill seven people in an armed robbery gone wrong and get a life sentence. Another person may kill in a burglary gone wrong but in a nice neighborhood and get the death penalty. No balance or justice in that.

Do you have any regrets?
Absolutely. When I was arrested in '97, I left a wife and four children to make it without a husband and father.  I also let my family down big-time.  They really supported me when I walked out of prison in '94. We've always been a close family and I really dumped on that. I also regret not being a better son to my mother who passed away in '87. Heck, I have many regrets, but I just try not to dwell on them. Maybe the next life will be regret free...

Do you believe the world will end in "2012"?
Nothing like questions of substance, Jessika.  Alright, I believe that nothing lasts forever as we know it. Could December 21st in the year 2012 be the end? Sure it could.  There are some unique alignments taking place in outer space that could cause a variety of changes on Earth.  I've read books where some experts think the worst that will happen will be interference in radio, cell and satellite signals. Others say the magnetic poles will shift, killing millions. It's hard to deny the accuracy of the Mayan calendar or that many different cultures all over the world have some major event predicted for around that time.  Hey, I welcome change in my situation, but I won't be holding my breath.   You know Jessika, I'm going to be surprised if you don't ask if I believe in God.

It's nice to know I would have surprised you because that wasn't a question. However, it now seems like a good one. Do you believe in God?
Zing! I guess I asked for that one. Umm...I believe in a "Creator", but not the God man has written about in the Bible. I was raised Catholic and even went for some years to Catholic schools.  The thing is, I never really felt connected to it.  Humans are selfish, greedy, power hungry and manipulative. How can you trust something written by man as the supposed word of God? To me, the two main factors that drive religion are power and peace. The Creator I pray to is an energy that controls all. The goal is to find and keep a balance between the positive and the negative that abound in everything.

What would your ideal job have been?
This will probably not surprise some of the people reading this who may know me, but probably something in the "Adult" film or entertainment field. I've starred in, produced and filmed my own amateur porn on various occasions.  Taking it to Cali to make the high end professional stuff would be cool. I could also see myself owning a large chain of strip/gentleman's clubs,  Other than that, I'd probably just chill and be a fishing guide.

It sounds like from that last answer you've probably had a lot of sexual experiences. How many women have you had sex with?
Thanks for the tasty slice of cake. LOL! I've had sex with 157 women. This was all by the time I turned 27 years old. It's a good thing because there's a high probability those days are over. I guess most guys dream of a number like that (unless you're Tommy Lee or Gene Simmons) so I guess I've had enough for a lifetime. (Note to the Nancy Grace's of the world: I'm not counting anyone I'm accused or convicted of committing crimes against.)

Where's the strangest place you've ever had sex?
There's never really been a strange or off limits place so thinking of a strange one isn't easy. In the "spirit" of the question, I guess I'll have to say the bathroom at the "Jerry Springer"  show before a taping. Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!

What was your first sexual experience?
It was playing doctor with the neighbor girl who lived across the street. I think we were like seven or eight years old. The family garage was the office and the exam included nudity and minor touching. Years later we sealed the deal without playing.  It was a major accomplishment for me because I ended up being her first and she was the town hottie.

Describe your ideal woman and what do you look for in a girl/woman?
My ideal woman would be totally trusting of me and not the least bit clingy.  She would support me 100% in public and only question me in private if needed. She'd have to share or have similar interests and not be afraid to step outside her comfort zone.  Being athletic and fit would be important along with being a good cook.  I'd like her to know how and when to use her educated proper lady side, but also be a total gutter freak in a split second.  Maybe a Sandra Bullock/Natalie Portman/Britney Spears mix. In the so called "free" world, the first thing I look for is a nice athletic body. A great body can make up for almost any facial or other flaws.  A smoker not being one of them.  I like to kiss my women, not an ashtray.  Long hair kind of an 80's/90's style is preferred, but it's not a deal breaker.  A unique voice is sexy and so is confidence. I like a motivated woman who keeps off the lazy train.  A warped sense of humor and a lust for adventure is a must. I also don't want a liar or a game player. Keep it real and be a freak on call. To wrap this up, if there isn't great legs or good hygiene, I'm moving on.

I think that you already just answered this, but 20 questions is 20 questions--What is your favorite female body part?
Correct you are Jessika, I'm a total leg man. Really, I like the whole lower body of a female. It's probably why I've mostly dated cheerleaders, gymnasts, dancers and sprinters.

What celebrities do you find hot?
Keep the cake coming. LOL! Here's my "top fifteen" in no particular order since their looks vary from time to time: Salma Hayek-Pinault, Minka Kelly, Drea de Matteo, Missy Peregrym, Christina Ricci, Nadia Bjorlin, Jaime Pressly, Marcy Rylan, Katy Perry, Mena Suvari, Brittany Daniel, Kristen Davis, Elisabeth Hassleback, Hayden Panettiere, and Jenna Dewan. A full list is just a request away.

Let's mix things up a bit. If you could fight any one person, dead or alive, who would you fight?
Growing up I was a mega Bruce Lee fan so I'd have to say ol' Bruce. I'd like to see how his original "MMA" (Mixed Martial Arts) style would adapt to the new style that rules the MMA world. I know I'd be in for a major ass kicking but there's no better teacher. Not many people can say they fought Bruce Lee.

If you could meet one person, would would it be?
Since you didn't specify past or present, I'll give you three of each. What a blabber mouth, huh? I'd like to have met the Marquis de Sade, Vlad the Impaler (original Dracula) and Attila the Hun.  Grim and powerful history at it's best.The three present day people would be Hugh Hefner, Rob Zombie and Britney Spears. (For all those thinking, “what a waste”. Why not Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Obama or the Pope? Simply put, their knowledge wouldn't help one iota in my situation.)

What is your favorite vacation spot?
Well, if I could go there now, it would be the Hedonism resorts in Jamaica. Nothing like hot bodies and orgies for a vacation.  Now if it's a place I've actually vacationed at, it would be Miami Beach, Florida.  As a child, we spent plenty of Summer vacations there. I'd also like to spend a week or two fishing on a secluded lake in Canada or Alaska. 

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
I'm a big fan of "Double Chocolate Fudge." I usually get a banana split with two scoops of Double Chocolate Fudge and one of French Vanilla in the middle.

What's your favorite movie/TV show?
Keeping with the tradition, there's no way to name just one of each. In the movie area, it's Rob Zombie's "Halloween", From Dusk Till Dawn, Alien and Armageddon. TV shows are "Babewatch/Baywatch", Two and a half Men, Supernatural, and (don't laugh!) The Gilmore Girls. Hey, great writing.

What's your favorite band/song?
Another impossibility! Let's go with Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Bush and AC/DC. Songs are "Bodies" by Drowning Pool, "The Sickness" by Disturbed, "Hey Man Nice Shot" by Filter, "Come Down" by Bush and "Lovin' Every Minute of it" by Loverboy.

What's your favorite food?
Finally something with an easy answer. LOL! Pizza is numero uno in my book. Best place to get it, Lou Malnati's Pizza. If you're in the Chicago area, it's a must!

What's your favorite book?
Back to adding or answering more than you requested or required. Who can say there's no depth, right? Here's some favorite books: "The Descent" by Jeff Long, "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis and "World Without End" by Ken Follett.

What's your favorite "true crime" case?
I wouldn't say I have any favorites, but there are some more interesting than others.  Christopher Wilder was an alleged serial killer in the early to mid 80's that made the F.B.I.'s "Ten Most Wanted" list. During this time he manages to drive across the country leaving in his wake a trail of tortured, raped and murdered females. It's like he never tried to hide. The whole story is like a Hollywood production with the F.B.I. starring as the ones who dropped the ball. No surprise, huh?  Next there's Maury Travis. He's another alleged serial killer from the St. Louis, Mo area who supposedly killed like 20 (crack ho's) (his words) in early 2000-2002. The cops zeroed in on him because he sent a map to a newspaper reporter with "X" marks the spot where bodies could be found.  The reporter turns the map over to the cops. Because the map was downloaded from a web site, the cops traced it back to him.  When they searched his house, they found VHS tapes in his basement with what looked like rape, torture and murder.  The cops were so proud they ended up letting scenes from the tapes be aired on the local news, Primetime and A&E's "Cold Case Files."  Amazing how that happens. Anyway, like with Wilder, Travis offed himself before he could be charged or questioned. I was surprised the F.B.I. wasn't there to mess that one up. LOL!

Do you hate Nancy Grace as much as I do?
I'm guessing we probably hate her for different reasons.  I of course don't watch her show anymore because we as Americans aren't forced to watch or listen to what annoys the living piss out of us. you know, change the frakking channel and all that. (Note: no amount of bitching or crying justifies telling others what they can or can't watch---you know who you are.) I turned because the yappie bitch invites people on her show but talks over them when she doesn't like what they say. She's a disease that needs a cure. Oh yeah, there is no cure for being a psychopath. LOL!

Well Jessika, I enjoyed your interview. You did Barbara Walters proud. Maybe she's got a spot for you on "The View"? In any case, you can call on me any time. There isn't much female conversation on the "Grey Mile".  And for those reading this, I hope I shed more than a negative light on the kind of person I am.  Not everyone convicted of or accused of committing monstrous acts is a monster.  With that said, maybe there's some possible future pen friends out there? All I ask is that you keep it real and don't play games.  I'll answer all letters so there's no need to be phony. I'll be respectful and pretty much like what you've just read.

Paul Runge
N-84715 Pontiac C.C.
P.O. Box 99
Pontic, Il 61764

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