Man gets death in girl's killing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City man sentenced to die Monday for kidnapping and killing a 10-year-old girl responded with profanity and criticism for the legal system and the girl's family.

"People say, 'How can you kill a 10-year-old girl?'" Keith D. Nelson told the court. "It's not that hard."

U.S. District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan approved a November 2001 jury decision to sentence Nelson, 27, to death for the Oct. 12, 1999 kidnapping and killing Pamela Butler of Kansas City, Kan. Nelson pleaded guilty last November.

The kidnapping, which happened right in front of Pamela's home, triggered one of the largest manhunts in Kansas City history.

As Gaitan read the sentence, Nelson accused the victim's family of profiting off Pamela's death. Kansas Citians, shocked by the crime, contributed money to support the family.

"The family sits there all sad," he said. "They were bragging about their sister being dead to get the money. They weren't sad."

Susan Hunt, Nelson's attorney, said Nelson's behavior in court Monday would make it difficult for him in future court appearances. Hunt said she would appeal the sentence.