All Episodes Discussion

[Guest]

19 hours ago, Lsk02 said:

The interviewer was Natalie Morales.

 

I didn’t really take her Gucci wearing as product placement? I mean, the entire show was about the name and the brand, so I’m guessing she was just part of it. I kept thinking how much she must have worried about what to wear for these interviews, her wardrobe for this episode was more important than it has likely ever been. 

Did anyone else notice the close-up of Natalie’s bum in the leather pants?  It was so close up the the fleeting thought of “needing spanx” entered my mind.  I do not know why they chose to keep that shot in but it wasn’t flattering at all.

16 hours ago, JudyObscure said:

I know these shows are always very careful not to speak ill of the victim, but I really didn't like him very much.  Spending money like water, ruining the business his father and grandfather had built, too chicken to ask his wife for a divorce, so he sneaks out and has a friend tell her  he's never coming back. 

The American girlfriend seemed kind of pathetic, talking about what a honor it had been to know him.  Any man who honestly believes his sail fell down because his wife's friend is a powerful witch who put a spell on it is just a silly child to me, I don't care how famous his name is, after all they're just shoes.

 

Yes, excellent points.  And exhausting.  I think it would be exhausting to be in their company.  So much drama.  So much nonsense.  So much duplicity.

Give me my quiet life with a closet filled with clothes, shoes and accessories that were not on a cover of a fashion magazine or do not cost more than my home is worth.  

I’m satisfied with that.  Not sure those people could say the same.

 

 

 

 

 

[Melina22]

 

1 hour ago, PsychoKlown said:

I do not know why they chose to keep that shot in but it wasn’t flattering at all.

Ack, yes! Especially in an episode all about a fashion house. To continue on this shallow streak, although I thought Natalie looked really pretty throughout the episode, her high heeled boots were driving me crazy. I know less about fashion than I do about Patricia's parrot, but I thought the boots looked uncomfortable and dated. 

I think Natalie is an excellent and very professional interviewer, so I feel bad saying this, but she's one of those people whose voices grate on me. I find her voice very hard and flat, in a nails-on-a-chalkboard kind of way. It kept taking me out of the show. (There must be a word for people like me who are hyperaware of voices, not just on TV but IRL. It's very distracting at times.) 

1 hour ago, PsychoKlown said:

Give me my quiet life with a closet filled with clothes, shoes and accessories that were not on a cover of a fashion magazine or do not cost more than my home is worth.  

I couldn't agree more. I just watched an interview with Kim K after she was robbed of her jewelry in Paris and I was thinking how peaceful it is, knowing that no one will be breaking into my house anytime soon to grab my Walmart-quality  clothing, or my sad little collection of jewelry. Yet I'll bet I'm ten times happier on a typical day than they all are on their multimillion dollar bespoke yachts. 

[nora1992]

7 hours ago, Melina22 said:

I couldn't agree more. I just watched an interview with Kim K after she was robbed of her jewelry in Paris and I was thinking how peaceful it is, knowing that no one will be breaking into my house anytime soon to grab my Walmart-quality  clothing, or my sad little collection of jewelry. Yet I'll bet I'm ten times happier on a typical day than they all are on their multimillion dollar bespoke yachts. 

I get what you’re saying, but wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to test that theory firsthand.

Was weighing going to the theater to see the movie, but the episode persuaded me to read the book instead.

Did anyone else find the cages in the courtroom eerie?

[Melina22]

47 minutes ago, nora1992 said:

Did anyone else find the cages in the courtroom eerie?

I was shocked at how cramped and dingy the room was too. 

[12catcrazy]

I have to agree with a lot of what you guys have said here.  And I'm glad that I'm not the only one who didn't find those leather pants looked good on Natalie Morales.  Every time they showed her from the back I thought that she was probably going to be mortified when she saw the film.  Just because you're really thin doesn't mean that clothing that isn't cut to fit your body is going to look good.    (And this is coming from a person whose "label" is LL Bean).

The reviews of the movie are all over the place.  If you want a laugh, find Tom Ford's review of the film (he had been the chief designer at Gucci for about 9 years).   I'm still kind of nervous about sitting in a movie theater - if that wasn't the case, I'd be running out to see it.  Now I want to get a copy of the book.  

And it always amazes me when I see (or read) these tales of misery at the top of the money/power structure.  All that money and all the freedom it brings yet some people are so miserable with it all.    And agree that keeping up with the lifestyles that the Guccis lived seemed exhausting.  To have to be that obsessed with what you look like and what you wear on a daily basis - talk about drowning in shallow waters.     Funny thing, last night's 60 Minutes had a profile on the current Creative Head guy at Gucci and he is this weird looking dude who looks like he escaped from a 1973 rock band and whose fashion choices can make Billy Porter look like Bill Blass.  Now I don't know about you, but this guy is the last person who'd I'd let choose my clothing, but hey!  He's apparently bringing Gucci back into hipness or something.

[MsJamieDornan]

9 hours ago, 12catcrazy said:

Now I don't know about you, but this guy is the last person who'd I'd let choose my clothing, but hey!  He's apparently bringing Gucci back into hipness or something.

I don't like what he has done to the Gucci brand. It's messy.

[Whimsy]

Please keep your discussion to the Dateline episodes, not other cases you’ve read about or watched on different shows. Thank you. 

[iMonrey]

The Peter Nygard episode was depressing, and went on way too long. Especially since there was no real resolution to the story. I take it the case against him is still pending and there will be another episode about him at some point when the case goes to trial. Yes, felt bad for his victims but as of this airing they have no closure, so that's a frustrating way to spend two hours.

[TVbitch]

I was bummed by all the women who held professional jobs in the company who stayed mum, even after they left the company.

And why is the bartender who admitted to DRUGGING YOUNG GIRLS' DRINKS upon request of this creep not in jail?!?! She was laughing about being his pimp! So gross!

[Ellee]

I’ve been under the weather so I haven’t been watching. I’m definitely going to have to watch this and read about this.  I don’t know anything and I’m cussing just by what has been posted. 

[Vivigirl10]

The Nygard episode was so frightening.  What a monster (he physically looked like one too).  Beverly Peele's story towards the end was a total shocker.  They presented her as untouchable and to find out no one was safe from Nygard!  I liked his son too.  He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders and was able to see the truth; which must be incredibly difficult when it's your own father.

I follow fashion some and had no idea who Nygard was.  Did anyone else know his brand?

 

[Melina22]

2 hours ago, Kiki620 said:

I follow fashion some and had no idea who Nygard was.  Did anyone else know his brand?

 

I'm Canadian and I've always linked him with the Tan-Jay line. They just closed the store near me. I was sorry to see it go but I understood why. 

[sainte-chapelle]

3 hours ago, Kiki620 said:

The Nygard episode was so frightening.  What a monster (he physically looked like one too).  Beverly Peele's story towards the end was a total shocker.  They presented her as untouchable and to find out no one was safe from Nygard!  I liked his son too.  He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders and was able to see the truth; which must be incredibly difficult when it's your own father.

I follow fashion some and had no idea who Nygard was.  Did anyone else know his brand?

 

I like his son, he seems to have a very strong moral compass which shocked me a bit considering he did spend quite a bit of time with his father. His dedication to helping victims of such crimes is noble.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I was watching an OWN rerun, of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, about a nearly fatal beating of a 19 year old in Albuquerque.   She was beaten almost to death, and her mother walked into the house, found her, and ran for help with the attacker chasing her with a butcher knife.   Some passing good samaritan stopped, helped the mother, and chased the attacker away.   

It was 10 years later the police actually identified the attacker, and had DNA proof.    So, he took a plea deal, and had a sentence of 18 years.     No one brought up on the show the possibility that this wasn't his only attack, and if there could be other cases unsolved too.   I find it unbelieveable that someone did one brutal attack, was chasing the mother with a knife, and then wasn't discovered and arrested until 10 years later, and it was the only time he did anything criminal.  

Edited December 22, 2021 by CrazyInAlabama

[GiandujaPie]

Just watched the Peter Nygard episode. What a disgusting creep. Any idea why this story hasn't gotten as much attention as Jeffrey Epstein? Is it because he wasn't hobnobbing with Trump and Prince Andrew and other more powerful figures? I had never even heard of this guy or his fashion brand although I gather this story is probably a bigger deal in Canada. 

The whole Beverly Peele thing was also very strange. I did some googling after watching this and I vaguely remember hearing her name in the 90s as a model. She apparently was going around saying that she was about to be homeless because Nygard had stopped paying her child support. But she has 2 other children who are younger than the one we saw on the show. Not sure who their father is. 

[TVbitch]

Just FYI, tuned into The Amazing Race which started a new season Wednesday, and Ryan Ferguson is a contestant. He was the kid wrongfully convicted of murder who spent 10 years in prison after a friend's false (coerced) confession implicated him. Dateline covered it several times. Nice to see him so happy! 

[pdlinda]

2 hours ago, TVbitch said:

Just FYI, tuned into The Amazing Race which started a new season Wednesday, and Ryan Ferguson is a contestant. He was the kid wrongfully convicted of murder who spent 10 years in prison after a friend's false (coerced) confession implicated him. Dateline covered it several times. Nice to see him so happy! 

I'm not familiar with that show; however, I know that Ryan is a fitness enthusiast so, just from the title, I think it would be a perfect fit for him.

He received an $11 million settlement from the State for being wrongfully incarcerated (A GREAT outcome; however, there is no amount of $$$ that could compensate an innocent man for 10 years of imprisonment!)

Also, to this DAY, the killer of the sports editor (name escapes me at the moment) has never been found AND the intellectually challenged co-defendant of Ryan is still behind bars even though it was clearly established that he didn't commit the crime either.  

Of course, Ryan had the services of the super-star defense attorney, Kathleen Zellner, who was able to get his jury verdict overturned (an almost impossible feat)!

Last, after his release, Ryan was in a relationship with a lady named Myka for several years.  However, I recently read he is engaged to be married to another woman.

Wishing Ryan the BEST would be an understatement!  

[chediavolo]

The house on the lake: I say the husband got away with murder. She was no angel & The living situation when there was a divorce pending made no sense to me. Do lawyers actually tell their clients to stay in the house when they are getting divorced? But  even so,who else could’ve done this? they didn’t tell deeper into the abuse allegations etc.  

[Melina22]

What Happened in Vegas. This was one of the most interesting episodes they've done in a really long time. It's still a mystery whether or not Ted was murdered and whether or not his girlfriend and friend did it - anything is possible. I can't say either of them gave off particularly red flags to me in their interviews. 

Either way, it was a fascinating look at a world I know very little about, and quite the bunch of characters. I could see this as a very entertaining fictional series. 

I hate to say it, but it was a relief not to have to hear another horrible saga of a woman murdered by her boyfriend or husband. Those are so tragically common that now I delete them without watching. I feel like I can't watch any more of those. 😥

[TVbitch]

I don't know if they killed him. But they certainly did not kill him by sitting on his chest. (Like those two would come up with that!)  

HOWEVER, they were having an affair. And it is very suspicious that he died literally the night before changing his will. 

It was unclear if she knew Ted was changing his will, or if Ted knew about the affair. I do think the guy was trying to steal Ted's silver, and she wanted to cash in on his death as best she could.

BUT, the fact that she saw Keith and flagged him down to tell him how she was doing is why I really don't think she killed him. Somebody who has gotten away with murder is not going to flag down Keith Fucking Morrison on the highway and invite Dateline back into their life. At least I sure as hell wouldn't!

[UsernameFatigue]

I don't think either Sandy or Rick were responsible for Ted's death. I think Ted was responsible for Ted's death, whether intentional or accidental. I am glad they both got second trials, as even in the first trial I thought it was ridiculous that the prosecution witness claimed that Ted was killed by sitting on his chest.  Sheesh. Why would anyone plan a murder and then use such a ridiculous method of killing the person? Especially a person who is a known drug addict. Also I don't necessarily believe the lawyer that Ted was going to change his will. The quote that the lawyer attributed to Ted just seemed too pat, and I am glad it got thrown out before the retrial. 

It really sealed it for me that Sandy was innocent when she was waiting for the verdict on the second trial. She knew if she was found guilty a second time that would be it. I think she was innocent, and was freaking out knowing that this was her last chance. I thought Rick's lawyer in the second trial made some good points, but he really gave a head shaking closing argument, so thank goodness the jury didn't hold that against Rick.

I love that Sandy saw Keith by chance on the PCH and reconnected with him. And I agree with the post above, that she would never have done that is she was guilty of Ted's murder. I am glad that she went on to have a happy life. 

[Melina22]

14 minutes ago, UsernameFatigue said:

It really sealed it for me that Sandy was innocent when she was waiting for the verdict on the second trial.

Yes, when in the course of this show have we ever seen psychopathic killers shaking and throwing up in fear before the sentencing? She also lacked that wide-eyed stare of innocence I've come to associate with women with no conscience. 

Either she's innocent, or she's absolutely stellar at faking innocence, but I think it's the first one. 

[iMonrey]

On 1/15/2022 at 11:01 AM, TVbitch said:

BUT, the fact that she saw Keith and flagged him down to tell him how she was doing is why I really don't think she killed him. Somebody who has gotten away with murder is not going to flag down Keith Fucking Morrison on the highway and invite Dateline back into their life. At least I sure as hell wouldn't!

Well, that's because you're not a murderer! LOL. Seriously, though - her need for additional attention does not necessarily demonstrate her innocence. We've seen tons of killers with egos so enormous they've convinced themselves they're smarter than anyone else.

I can't really decide whether Sandy and Rick were responsible for Ted's death, but I would have had to vote "not guilty" based on the lack of evidence and the fact that Ted was a known drug addict and the death was initially ruled drug overdose. That said, they certainly had motive and their behavior immediately afterwards was suspicious as hell.

[12catcrazy]

This was actually an interesting episode.  Sandy must have some real personal magnetism as first she just meets Teddy Banion and also immediately becomes his live-in girlfriend and gets "kept" pretty nicely, and then, when she has murder charges filed against her, this rich older man comes along and foots her legal bills.   And so far, it looks like she has a happy ending (husband, kids, and an art gallery).  

It sucked that she spent four years in jail for probably being innocent.   I don't think that she murdered Ted.  If I had been on that jury and heard that the "victim" was a heroin user and on top of that had lost his license and wasn't even allowed into the casino he used to run, I'd think that the guy either killed himself accidently (by not giving a damn and getting sloppy with his drugs) or on purpose.   I just wonder why his sister had such a thing against Sandy.  As was even brought up on the show, 300 k and that house would have been chickenfeed to that family; you'd think they would just let her have the money and house and call it a day.  Seems like there was some kind of personal vendetta there.  

Gotta say that the second defense lawyer (I think he was the guy from Montana's lawyer) cracked me up.  At least the jury on that trial got some entertainment out of it.  

[Melina22]

52 minutes ago, 12catcrazy said:

 I just wonder why his sister had such a thing against Sandy. 

His sister was straight out of an OTP Dynasty type drama. I found her incredibly shady even though I have literally no reason to say that. Just a feeling. But I realize I could be wrong. 

54 minutes ago, 12catcrazy said:

Gotta say that the second defense lawyer (I think he was the guy from Montana's lawyer) cracked me up.  At least the jury on that trial got some entertainment out of it.  

Yet another character in this drama that you couldn't make up. When he was doing his closing arguments (or whatever they're called) I was studying the people in the audience (probably not the right word) to see if they were laughing, or rolling their eyes at the melodramatics. I felt bad finding him so hilarious when Sandy was shaking and throwing up, because her entire future was at stake, but he really was such a showman. 

[iMonrey]

Quote

 I was studying the people in the audience (probably not the right word) 

LOL I always wonder what the right word for that is too. I looked it up, it's "the gallery."

[Melina22]

Thank you! Although for that weird lawyer, you know an audience is what he craved. It's probably very disappointing to him that the gallery aren't allowed to cheer and boo and give standing ovations. 😁

[pdlinda]

Does anyone remember a Vegas case with an older woman named Margaret who was convicted of killing her husband who was a wealthy antiques dealer and somehow she was tied into the Ted Binion case with Sandy and Rick and all the silver stashed underground??

The woman fled and was finally picked up in the NE (I think Boston) where she was living with a BF who was a firefighter (if memory serves me correctly)??

I know they had several show about her on Dateline or 20/20.

This has been bugging me for several days😄

[CrazyInAlabama]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Rudin

I remember this case.   Margaret Rudin.   There's a list of TV shows and books about the case, at the bottom of the article.   It either doesn't list Dateline, or I missed it.   It was on 20/20.    This case is so old, that it could have been on Dateline, and just isn't listed any longer. 

She was released in 2020 on parole, and wanted to relocate to Chicago near relatives. 

Edited January 19, 2022 by CrazyInAlabama

[pdlinda]

46 minutes ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Rudin

I remember this case.   Margaret Rudin.   There's a list of TV shows and books about the case, at the bottom of the article.   It either doesn't list Dateline, or I missed it.   It was on 20/20.    

She was released in 2020 on parole, and wanted to relocate to Chicago near relatives. 

YES, that's IT!  She was connected to the Binion case, right?  I'll read the link articles.  Thanks so much!!

[KittyMom4]

On 12/21/2021 at 4:10 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I was watching an OWN rerun, of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered, about a nearly fatal beating of a 19 year old in Albuquerque.   She was beaten almost to death, and her mother walked into the house, found her, and ran for help with the attacker chasing her with a butcher knife.   Some passing good samaritan stopped, helped the mother, and chased the attacker away. 

I watched that episode as well, I was so impressed at how well this girl recovered from such a horrific beating. I too wondered if the perpetrator had any events either preceding or following her attack, just seemed so random. Wasn't he married with a child when they finally figured it all out?  That had to be a shock for his wife to find out.  

[CrazyInAlabama]

5 hours ago, BexKeps said:

I watched that episode as well, I was so impressed at how well this girl recovered from such a horrific beating. I too wondered if the perpetrator had any events either preceding or following her attack, just seemed so random. Wasn't he married with a child when they finally figured it all out?  That had to be a shock for his wife to find out.  

I'm wondering if in the long interval between the attack, and the arrest, there were similar attacks?   

[Irlandesa]

On 1/16/2022 at 12:03 PM, iMonrey said:

I can't really decide whether Sandy and Rick were responsible for Ted's death, but I would have had to vote "not guilty" based on the lack of evidence and the fact that Ted was a known drug addict and the death was initially ruled drug overdose. That said, they certainly had motive and their behavior immediately afterwards was suspicious as hell.

They didn't think he was murdered until his sister insisted that he had been murdered.  But there was no reason to think he was murdered considering how well known his drug abuse was.

And I didn't think their behavior was that suspicious given the context of what happened.  If his drug abuse was as bad as it was, this was a very sick man.  Sandy, on some level, was probably prepared to find him dead one day. Caregivers often start mourning long before the actual death takes place because they see the decline. 

Then immediately after he dies, the sister starts removing things from her house.  I know it's considered crude to think of money at that time but that was kind of their arrangement.  She was the beautiful younger woman by his side and she took care of him in his drug state.

On 1/17/2022 at 2:14 PM, Melina22 said:

His sister was straight out of an OTP Dynasty type drama. I found her incredibly shady even though I have literally no reason to say that. Just a feeling. But I realize I could be wrong.

I think having the power to get them to investigate a likely drug overdose as a murder and then getting people organized quickly to remove things from her brother's house does suggest shadiness.  So I do think you have reason to say that.

[iMonrey]

Quote

And I didn't think their behavior was that suspicious given the context of what happened.  If his drug abuse was as bad as it was, this was a very sick man.  Sandy, on some level, was probably prepared to find him dead one day. Caregivers often start mourning long before the actual death takes place because they see the decline.

The suspicious part was Rick digging up the secret vault where the silver was stashed, then saying it was on Ted's orders. After he'd already died.

[Melina22]

1 hour ago, iMonrey said:

The suspicious part was Rick digging up the secret vault where the silver was stashed, then saying it was on Ted's orders. After he'd already died.

True, but he was able to prove he called the sheriff's office beforehand to say he'd be doing it. That doesn't sound like something a thief would do. (Unless that's what he was counting on.) Nothing in this case is straightforward. 

[gaPeach]

14 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I think having the power to get them to investigate a likely drug overdose as a murder and then getting people organized quickly to remove things from her brother's house does suggest shadiness.  So I do think you have reason to say that

Exactly.  The sister looks like a hardcore bitch, and she did not like the girlfriend.  She pushed it to be a homicide and she has the clout in that town to do that.  Also, the State's evidence that Sandy was different the day after the death when videotaping the contents of the house, well of course she was!  I would be laser focus if I found out people were taking things from my house without my permission.  To me she sounded pissed off more than diabolical.

And Sandy mentioned that Ted's relationship with his family had issues.  Basically they did not get along at all. I think the sister pushed for a homicide because she is a Bitch and she did not like Sandy.  So she just did what she could to mess Sandy's life up.

[Annber03]

Tonight's "Dateline" episode should be played on a loop for anyone who still, in this day and age, can't seem to comprehend or understand why women don't come forward after being raped. Also would be good to play it for those who don't get why there's such a push for police reform. 

'Cause WOW, the Waterbury police department came off hideously awful in this story. That dickhead excuse for an officer berating and threatening Donna with arrest...he's lucky she, or her husband, didn't haul off and punch him square in the face at some point. What a fucking asshole. So basically, he's just willing to go off a rumor about an affair instead of investigate the claim - you know, his job - and take this random person's word over hers. 

The 911 operator was bugging me, too. I get the importance of making sure the caller is calm enough to give the necessary information, but they came off so brusque and almost annoyed with her. 

Given this guy's history in the town and the prominence of his family, I think we can guess one reason why it took so long for people to nab him. It's infuriating there was any chance of him being released on "good behavior". Meanwhile, there are people in jail for decades on drug charges. Love, too, that when the cops pulled him over after he attempted to kidnap that one woman, they didn't pull their guns on him. You know the situation would've been very different had he not been a rich white guy. 

I am glad that the jury agreed he was likely to offend again and kept him from going back on the streets. And I admire Donna for doing her part to help other women who've been victims of sexual assault. It's crazy that this whole ordeal has dragged out as long as it has for her, but I do hope this is the end of it once and for all for her, and I wish her well going forward. Same with the other women who were victims of this creep. 

[partofme]

I agree the behavior of the original cops in tonight’s case was appalling and women being accused and charged with false reporting rape is far too common.  I read a really well written book on the topic of rape victims not being believed a few years back called False Report: A True Story of Rape in America and there is a Netflix show based on it.  The way that rape victims are treated in this country is horrifying.  

Edited January 22, 2022 by partofme

[iMonrey]

Quote

Tonight's "Dateline" episode should be played on a loop for anyone who still, in this day and age, can't seem to comprehend or understand why women don't come forward after being raped. Also would be good to play it for those who don't get why there's such a push for police reform. 

If you're like me, you've seen enough Dateline episodes already to support police reform. (Not defund the police - reform.) How many stories have we seen with horrifyingly inept police work and/or downright crooked cops? Plenty. I think I would have been more appalled at this story if I hadn't already seen so many similar stories, whether the crime is rape, kidnapping or murder. You really don't need to be very smart to become a police officer, do you?

[Crashcourse]

I also think the detectives glommed onto her calling her rapist a "gentleman," which was an odd choice of words to describe him; however, that shouldn't have affected their investigation of the case.  

[MerBearHou]

6 minutes ago, Crashcourse said:

I also think the detectives glommed onto her calling her rapist a "gentleman," which was an odd choice of words to describe him; however, that shouldn't have affected their investigation of the case.  

It is a pet peeve of mine when men are called “gentlemen” when criminals are being described.  I hear it on our local news when people are being interviewed about a crime and it drives me nuts.  Later in the broadcast, one of the Saratoga Springs men described Regan as a gentleman when talking about him being caught.  Definition of gentleman is FAR from what this guy is.  

Edited January 22, 2022 by MerBearHou

[TVbitch]

Donna and her husband were a solid couple. Nice to see them happy and laughing. Thank god that guy will be under supervision. I mean, the dude tries to kidnap another girl while awaiting trial for two previous counts of kidnapping/assaulting women! And they are going to let him out again?! 

PS. I think depending on how, where and in what generation you were raised, "gentleman" is just the way you were taught to refer to men. I use it all the time and it's just ingrained, I don't think about it. For me, it doesn't mean anything more than "male I don't know". 

[ridethemaverick]

This is probably nitpicky but it really irks me when stories about women being raped focus on how the husband feels/reacts. Frankly, I don't care. It's not about him. Both the victim and Andrea turned the focus on him a little too much for my liking.

I usually don't mind her but Andrea also annoyed me with all her excited interjections. "That's so shocking!!!" "Seriously?!!!" "Oh my goodness!!!" This isn't brunch with your girlfriends, Andrea. Dial it down, please.

The original investigators were inept and disgusting. That goes without saying. Glad the new detective got it right.

[Annber03]

2 hours ago, iMonrey said:

If you're like me, you've seen enough Dateline episodes already to support police reform. (Not defund the police - reform.) How many stories have we seen with horrifyingly inept police work and/or downright crooked cops? Plenty.

Oh, absolutely. You're right that this is sadly nothing new at all - like you said, there are plenty of episodes just like this out there. Just another example to show people who still don't seem to get it, is all (though, then again, if they don't get it by now, I don't know if they'll ever be swayed, but still).

42 minutes ago, ridethemaverick said:

This is probably nitpicky but it really irks me when stories about women being raped focus on how the husband feels/reacts. Frankly, I don't care. It's not about him. Both the victim and Andrea turned the focus on him a little too much for my liking.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. 

[pdlinda]

6 hours ago, TVbitch said:

Thank god that guy will be under supervision.

I can't speak to how other states handle sex offenders like this guy, but I can say in MY state the likely outcome would have been a MUCH LONGER prison sentence to begin with (because he offended in 2 different states) and, if all else failed, he probably would have been placed on Sex Offender Probation (ankle monitor and many other specific terms and conditions intended to keep such an individual closely monitored 24/7 for the rest of his life.

I got the impression that when they referred to him as being "supervised" in a facility they may have meant that he had to "check in" and "check out" to go and do certain things in a much more casual way that I described above.  That was very concerning to me. 

This man is a sexual deviant whose predilections toward harming women seems severe and chronic.

 

 

 

[Annber03]

1 minute ago, pdlinda said:

if all else failed, he probably would have been placed on Sex Offender Probation (ankle monitor and many other specific terms and conditions intended to keep such an individual closely monitored 24/7 for the rest of his life.

Laws like that have never made sense to me. If you have to warn people about a prisoner's release, or put them on a list and monitor them, to me, that says they're clearly not rehabilitated enough/safe enough to be released back onto the streets. Just leave them in prison. 

(Mind, I know there's the issue of overcrowded prisons, which explains some of that, but maybe if we stopped putting people in prison for minor, non-violent offenses, for instance, that might help solve that problem at least to some degree.) 

[iMonrey]

Quote

I usually don't mind her but Andrea also annoyed me with all her excited interjections. "That's so shocking!!!" "Seriously?!!!" "Oh my goodness!!!" This isn't brunch with your girlfriends, Andrea. Dial it down, please.

Agreed. It's like she's prompting histrionics. When Donna was talking about her kids down the hall Andrea was all "That's the worst thing imaginable!!" and I was like "No shit, Andrea." Her commentary is pointlessly over the top.

[LuvMyShows]

On 1/21/2022 at 11:12 PM, Annber03 said:

So basically, he's just willing to go off a rumor about an affair instead of investigate the claim - you know, his job - and take this random person's word over hers. 

It's funny how jaded we've become, because when the detectives were menacing Donna about this iron-clad evidence that she was lying, she kept being exasperated that they wouldn't tell her what it was, and I was saying to myself, "That's because they don't have any!" and wishing that she would be able to call their bluff rather than let it upset her. 

On 1/21/2022 at 11:12 PM, Annber03 said:

It's infuriating there was any chance of him being released on "good behavior".

I was infuriated that the sentencing for the second crime was allowed to be run concurrently with the first.

On 1/22/2022 at 12:31 PM, TVbitch said:

Donna and her husband were a solid couple. Nice to see them happy and laughing.

For sure.  I was worried that the whole ordeal would have broken them up, but they seem solid.

On 1/22/2022 at 11:30 AM, iMonrey said:

How many stories have we seen with horrifyingly inept police work and/or downright crooked cops? 

Even so, I was still flabbergasted that the police had not done ANY canvassing of neighbors, and hadn't done any swabbing of the crime scene.  They mentioned that basically the only correct thing was that the rookie detective on scene at least bagged the bed linens.

[gaPeach]

If I were on the jury I would have hands down not allowed him out on good behavior just for the mere fact he tried kidnapping a young girl while out on bond awaiting his trail for the other assults.  That right there proved he was incapable of stopping.  Being good in jail is not a reason to let him out.  

Good for her and her husband for not being his victims again.  

[TVbitch]

Go Mrs. McCurley! What a great memory! 

I have to admit, listening to his story, I thought it was the boyfriend. Then, I felt guilty for thinking it was him. Then, when he became prime suspect, I felt vindicated. Then...

Dude is appealing his conviction after changing his plea to guilty?! Good luck with that. 

Soon this DNA stuff will be at the level where if the killer so much as breathed on the victim, they will be able to find them.