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By David Twiddy

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Dennis Rader, the churchgoing family man and Cub Scout leader accused of leading a double life as the BTK serial killer, was charged Tuesday with 10 counts of first-degree murder.

Rader made his first court appearance since his Friday arrest by videoconference from his cell at the Sedgwick County detention center. During the brief hearing, Rader sat with his hands folded behind a small desk.

The BTK killer, whose nickname stands for "Bind, Torture, Kill," was suspected of eight deaths beginning in 1974, but authorities said Saturday they had linked two additional victims to the serial killer.

Rader's arrest has also prompted nearby law enforcement agencies through Kansas to reinvestigate any cold cases that bear similarities to the string of slayings.

Sedgwick County District Judge Greg Waller read the charges during the hearing, which lasted about five minutes. A preliminary hearing was set for March 15, when Rader is likely to be arraigned.

Rader's only comments during the hearing were short "yes" and "no" answers to questions.

He was accompanied at the hearing by a temporary attorney. Waller appointed the state's public defender office to represent Rader.

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