Van Der Sloot Confesses to Extortion, Not Culpability, in Holloway Case

Although Joran van der Sloot has confessed to extorting money from Natalee Holloway's family and says he has remorse for the stories he told surrounding the teens 2005 disappearance, he refuses to accept any culpability in the case.

Van der Sloot is charged with wire fraud and extortion, saying he would give the family the location of Holloway's body provided they give him upwards of $250,000.

Natalee Holloway disappeared May 30, 2005 in Aruba. The teen had been at a nightclub where van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers were partying. Since her disappearance, the Dutchman has been arrested twice in connection with her disappearance but never charged. He has also confessed and later recanted on several occasions.

In an interview that aired on NBC's Today show, van der Sloot said, "For everything that's happened since 2005, all the things said in the media and everything, I feel guilty for, yeah." (See video at Today Show)

According to CNN, Van der Sloot claims he was being "...paid to make up stories, and I was really good at making up stories. Everybody keeps coming at you asking questions...if you want something, I'll tell you whatever you want to hear, sure."

John Q. Kelly, attorney for Holloway's mother, Beth Twitty, calls van der Sloot's behavior "...attention-seeking, as simple as that. He wants to be in the spotlight...he just can't help himself."

Kelly added he has multiple emails from van der Sloot where he is apologetic for what happened and will tell the truth in the Holloway case. However, Kelly believes the Dutchman is "incapable of it."

Van der Sloot is currently sitting in the Castro Castro prison in Peru awaiting trial for the murder of Peruvian student Stephany Flores whose body was found in van der Sloot's hotel room on the 5-year anniversary of Holloway's disappearance in May.

Van der Sloot has claimed he is being held unlawfully and that his constitutional rights have been violated. If any mistakes have been in the police department's investigation, there is the possibility van der Sloot could be released; however, should that happen, he will be sent to Alabama to face extortion charges in the Holloway case.

Sources:
Van der Sloot: I've 'misused' Holloway case 'for my own advantage' - CNN.com
Today Show Video Player - Van der Sloot: I feel 'guilty for everything'