General True Crime Shows

[Minivanessa]

On 8/2/2018 at 9:44 PM, kathyk24 said:

The over acting on a Perfect Murder has to stop. It's a distraction from interesting cases. 

IIRC, A Perfect Murder is that show I can't stand. Because they act out an interminable number of hypothetical solutions to the crime before finally revealing what really happened. Even if the acting were better, it wouldn't help as far as I'm concerned. Because I know that the first forty minutes is going to be misdirection and a waste of bandwidth. Not even worth space on my DVR. 

[Tardislass]

My favorite crime show is still Cold Case Files with Bill Kurtis, probably because he was our local news anchor growing up and was the old style newsman. The stories were well told and interesting without being too salacious. I think the show used to be on A&E back before all the reality-Dog the Bounty Hunter crap.

[Annber03]

I liked "Cold Case Files", too. I remember the opening music and the whole thing with the zoom in on the text always creeped me out a little. I know A&E brought the show back for a time last year, but I don't know if they plan on having more seasons of it. 

As for Bill Kurtis, I read his Wikipedia article a while back and my god, that guy has sure kept himself busy throughout his life! He's got one hell of an impressive resume. I like seeing him when I watch an old episode of "American Justice" or that "Through the Decades" show on the Decades channel, too. He's a good host. 

[Minivanessa]

3 hours ago, Tardislass said:

My favorite crime show is still Cold Case Files with Bill Kurtis, probably because he was our local news anchor growing up and was the old style newsman. The stories were well told and interesting without being too salacious. I think the show used to be on A&E back before all the reality-Dog the Bounty Hunter crap.

Cold Case Files shows up on the schedule of the Justice Network. It's an over the air channel in my area, and is now also on Comcast. They currently rerun Dr. G: Medical Examiner, and some repeats of shows from the ID Network.

Edited to correct: The show "Secret Lives of Stepford Wives," which is on their current show list, is *not* a repackaging of the series "Momsters," as I originally said here. Sorry about that. Should have done my homework first.

Edited August 4, 2018 by Jeeves
Correct a mistake

[walnutqueen]

8 hours ago, Jeeves said:

IIRC, A Perfect Murder is that show I can't stand. Because they act out an interminable number of hypothetical solutions to the crime before finally revealing what really happened. Even if the acting were better, it wouldn't help as far as I'm concerned. Because I know that the first forty minutes is going to be misdirection and a waste of bandwidth. Not even worth space on my DVR. 

Even worse is that stupid tape rewind sound effect they use before each reenactment of the cops' hypotheses,  Makes me stabby.

[nokat]

I would NOT want to be the person who stumbled upon a body. I was once riding my horse in the desert and smelled something foul, I told myself it was a dead animal and didn't go closer. I should have checked.
 

[auntjess]

On 8/2/2018 at 11:43 AM, Grommet said:

He worked at a local vet office while waiting for trial and everyone there said he was so nice, he couldn't have done it, etc. - even with all that evidence against him. People just don't want to believe that not all monsters are easy to spot.

Didn't see it, but why was he on bail for a murder charge?
I really liked the poetic justice in a recent show I saw,
 

Spoiler

It was Perfect Suspect, Every Step You Take.  The husband had attached a GPS to his wife's car, then when he dumped her body and abandoned her car, he removed it.
He then stuck it in his pocket.  When cops got a warrant for his computer, they could see the map of of his walk home, and were even able to find things he'd dumped.
Loved it!

 

[Annber03]

1 hour ago, nokat said:

I would NOT want to be the person who stumbled upon a body. I was once riding my horse in the desert and smelled something foul, I told myself it was a dead animal and didn't go closer. I should have checked.

I think about that sometimes when I hear about somebody stumbling upon a body on these shows-how do those people deal with having made such a horrible discovery going forward? I don't know that I could stop thinking about it, at least not for a fairly long time.

[nokat]

Some evil people are very good at looking nice and normal. So when you hear, but they were so nice. Ha, fooled you. 
 

17 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

I think about that sometimes when I hear about somebody stumbling upon a body on these shows-how do those people deal with having made such a horrible discovery going forward? I don't know that I could stop thinking about it, at least not for a fairly long time.

annber, it has to be a horrible burden.
 

[nokat]

Is about to watch Fear Thy Neighbor, that should help me sleep. Had one neighbor be a bit annoying about the shared fence. Getting someone out to replace it worked, good fences make good neighbors is the saying I think.
 

[funky-rat]

11 hours ago, Annber03 said:

I think about that sometimes when I hear about somebody stumbling upon a body on these shows-how do those people deal with having made such a horrible discovery going forward? I don't know that I could stop thinking about it, at least not for a fairly long time.

My husband found his co-worker dead.  He died of natural causes, and hadn't been dead even 24 hours when he found him, but still.  I saw my grandfather after he died - he was in a nursing home and was in bed and looked like he was sleeping, and I could rationalize that - we were on watch because he'd had a stroke, and was in a coma-like state, so we knew it was coming.  He looked peaceful, and he was in his 80's, so again, you can rationalize it.  Husband's co-worker was 10 years older than him, so he wasn't really old.  When he walked in the house, he was sitting in his recliner, feet up.  TV was on.  He was covered with a blanket.  He was a heavy sleeper, so my husband thought he overslept.  You can't really rationalize that away in the same way.  It was well known he hated doctors and never went, and so he had undiagnosed heart disease, and had a heart attack in his sleep.  But he wasn't old.  He wasn't in visible ill health.  He just didn't show up for work, and my husband's asshole boss insisted my husband go down there (asshole boss went along, but didn't go in the house).  Then asshole boss couldn't understand why my husband never really got over it, and his depression that he already deals with spiraled out of control.  He hasn't really been the same since then, and he has had some trouble functioning (he ended up losing that job).  My husband said he'll probably never get that image out of his head.  That was a natural death, and he'd been gone maybe 12 hours, so nothing had really happened yet in the natural progression of things.  I really can't imagine coming across someone who had been murdered.

[Tardislass]

Finding someone dead of natural causes and finding someone murdered are two different things. I was watching a cold case from 1963 and the reporter was interviewing the neighbor who found the raped and murdered neighbor at the time of the crime. Amazingly this woman talked about finding the body like she was running down her grocery list. Saw her, checked her pulse, didn't find it, called police. She was as calm and cool as I've seen them. Guess California in the 1960s was a different place. Back in high school we had a cop come in and talk to our civics class and one thing I remember is him saying no matter how many murders you see, there are some that stay with you and take an emotional toll.

Watching these shows also shows how life has changed from 1970-1980s. Was watching the episode about the I-5 killer in California back in the 1980s. One of his victims was a young woman who was out with her mother and their car broke down at night. The killer offered them a ride but said he could only take one as his car was a two seater. Amazingly her mom let this young woman get into the car alone with the man, who she couldn't see that well and didn't even take down his plate number. My mom would have never left me get in a strangers car or I would have sat on her lap.  However, like many serial killers he got caught by trying to hurt a prostitute. He hit her head on the dashboard and tried to cuff her but she got away and luckily there was a cop nearby who caught them.

Edited August 5, 2018 by Tardislass

[Fable]

Fear Thy Neighbor:  Both of these ladies had a few screws loose.  One was saying, “oh okay, I slit my neighbors tires and lit a fire in her yard.” While the other was saying, “oops, I had a fling with her boyfriend, but I have no idea why she was so irate.”  They were both completely delusional, so it’s a small wonder everything got out of control. 

[walnutqueen]

3 hours ago, Fable said:

Fear Thy Neighbor:  Both of these ladies had a few screws loose.  One was saying, “oh okay, I slit my neighbors tires and lit a fire in her yard.” While the other was saying, “oops, I had a fling with her boyfriend, but I have no idea why she was so irate.”  They were both completely delusional, so it’s a small wonder everything got out of control. 

And even after all that went down, these two women still live next door to each other!

[Sile]

On 8/3/2018 at 11:13 PM, nokat said:

I consider Homicide Hunter soft porn. My, my, my.
 

That's so funny,  I used to sort of know Kenda (professionally!) and it cracks me up that I kind of actually fangirl over him now.

Is there an eta on a new season yet?  I seem to recall that it's usually around late August.  It's so sad...I've watched ID since back when it was Discovery-Times and it has gone so far downhill that the only things I watch now are HH and A Crime to Remember so I rely on my DVR to know when a new season is going to start.

[Tardislass]

11 hours ago, walnutqueen said:

And even after all that went down, these two women still live next door to each other!

Some people just live for drama.

[Annber03]

36 minutes ago, Sile said:

Is there an eta on a new season yet?  I seem to recall that it's usually around late August.

I saw a promo advertising a new season at one point recently. I can't recall the exact date right now, but I think it's supposed to be in mid to late August sometime, like usual. I'll keep an eye out and see if I can catch the promo again-if I do, I'll share the info here. So you'll have that to look forward to soon :). 

12 hours ago, walnutqueen said:

And even after all that went down, these two women still live next door to each other!

That surprised me, too. I could not do that. Not after that kind of craziness (and I agree that both women were acting like idiots). 

I tell ya, I'm just so proud that that story took place in Iowa. Always great when your state pops up on one of these shows :/. 

@funky-rat, I'm so sorry about your husband having to stumble upon such a tragic sight. That sucks that his boss couldn't be more sympathetic about that-I totally get where your husband's coming from with his reaction. Like with the examples you give with the co-worker and your grandfather (condolences on that loss, too), my dad's death was due to health issues as well, and the night he died still haunts me to this day because of what I was witness to. Your husband has my sympathies-sending good thoughts and wishes to him, and to you as well. 

On 8/5/2018 at 10:41 AM, Tardislass said:

Back in high school we had a cop come in and talk to our civics class and one thing I remember is him saying no matter how many murders you see, there are some that stay with you and take an emotional toll.

Yeah, there's been a few officers on some of these shows who've said that as well. Just hearing some of these stories on these shows can get to me. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for the people who actually work these cases. Especially if they've worked them for months, years, decades. It's great that they care so much, of course, but yeah, it's easy to see where that dedication and care can take an emotional toll as well. 

[walnutqueen]

3 hours ago, Sile said:

Is there an eta on a new season yet? 

Homicide Hunter returns Wednesday, Aug 29th.

[Tardislass]

If anyone has Netflix, there's a documentary miniseries called I Am A Killer, which is about men on death row mostly in Texas and the crime in their words, the words of the victims family's and prosecutors. Very enlightening and is further proof that kids who grew up with abuse, drugs and alcohol in the family are far more likely to commit violent crimes. The show is also interesting on how prosecutors can sometimes twist the truth. An owner of a pawn shop and his friend were held up and the friend was shot and killed by a 17 year old. The kid maintains that the victim jumped over the counter and tried to get the gun away and was shot. The DA said the forensic evidence showed that there wasn't a fight. When interviewed, the owner corroborated the killer's story yet the prosecutor insisted that man remembered it wrong. 

I didn't think I'd like the show but it is well-done and not salacious.

[ratgirlagogo]

5 hours ago, Tardislass said:

17 hours ago, walnutqueen said:

And even after all that went down, these two women still live next door to each other!

Some people just live for drama.

And then they can end up dying for it.

[nokat]

6 hours ago, Annber03 said:

I saw a promo advertising a new season at one point recently. I can't recall the exact date right now, but I think it's supposed to be in mid to late August sometime, like usual. I'll keep an eye out and see if I can catch the promo again-if I do, I'll share the info here. So you'll have that to look forward to soon :).

That surprised me, too. I could not do that. Not after that kind of craziness (and I agree that both women were acting like idiots).

I tell ya, I'm just so proud that that story took place in Iowa. Always great when your state pops up on one of these shows :/.

@funky-rat, I'm so sorry about your husband having to stumble upon such a tragic sight. That sucks that his boss couldn't be more sympathetic about that-I totally get where your husband's coming from with his reaction. Like with the examples you give with the co-worker and your grandfather (condolences on that loss, too), my dad's death was due to health issues as well, and the night he died still haunts me to this day because of what I was witness to. Your husband has my sympathies-sending good thoughts and wishes to him, and to you as well.

Yeah, there's been a few officers on some of these shows who've said that as well. Just hearing some of these stories on these shows can get to me. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for the people who actually work these cases. Especially if they've worked them for months, years, decades. It's great that they care so much, of course, but yeah, it's easy to see where that dedication and care can take an emotional toll as well.

When you see a detective tear up talking about a case, you know it gets to them.

I do like how a lot of these shows start with what a wonderful town these people live in. Great place to raise the kids, the best neighborhood ever. Well except for the murder.

I'm happy to know there is another season of Homicide Hunter. That guy and his droll delivery. If being an asshole was a crime, there would be a fence around Colorado Springs.
 

[SunnyBeBe]

9 hours ago, Tardislass said:

If anyone has Netflix, there's a documentary miniseries called I Am A Killer, which is about men on death row mostly in Texas and the crime in their words, the words of the victims family's and prosecutors. Very enlightening and is further proof that kids who grew up with abuse, drugs and alcohol in the family are far more likely to commit violent crimes. The show is also interesting on how prosecutors can sometimes twist the truth. An owner of a pawn shop and his friend were held up and the friend was shot and killed by a 17 year old. The kid maintains that the victim jumped over the counter and tried to get the gun away and was shot. The DA said the forensic evidence showed that there wasn't a fight. When interviewed, the owner corroborated the killer's story yet the prosecutor insisted that man remembered it wrong. 

I didn't think I'd like the show but it is well-done and not salacious.

I've seen similar shows, one is called Life or Death or something like that. I find them interesting too. I appreciate what you are saying about how sometimes the prosecutors and/or police get on a mission that may not really be based on fact, like Kelly Siegler, of Cold Justice.  She really crossed the line and I now boycott her show.  I no longer trust her.  No telling how many cases she has messed up.  I don't know how they could put someone on death row or prison for life, when they shouldn't be there AND they know it. 

I think that a lot of people who commit crimes, especially young people, don't realize that if you are committing a felony, and someone gets killed, EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T mean to kill them, it's first degree murder by felony murder rule.  So, if your accomplice shoots someone during the crime, it's on you. If your gun accidentally discharges, that's on you too.  What if you scare the victim and they die from a heart attack?  That's tricky, but, it is likely to be on you too.  So, if you are committing armed robbery and the victim attacks you, and you kill them in self defense......it's probably still murder by felony murder rule.  Just my guess.  I wonder if that was the reasoning in the case you mention above, Tardislass.

[andromeda331]

7 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I've seen similar shows, one is called Life or Death or something like that. I find them interesting too. I appreciate what you are saying about how sometimes the prosecutors and/or police get on a mission that may not really be based on fact, like Kelly Siegler, of Cold Justice.  She really crossed the line and I now boycott her show.  I no longer trust her.  No telling how many cases she has messed up.  I don't know how they could put someone on death row or prison for life, when they shouldn't be there AND they know it. 

I've boycotted her show too. It really hate that she did that. And the show was such a great idea. I loved the idea of them going into small towns that usually don't have the training or resources to investigate murders.  I'm still floored by the sex crimes spin off that only lasted one season but paid for all of those rape kits sitting on the self.

Quote

 

I think that a lot of people who commit crimes, especially young people, don't realize that if you are committing a felony, and someone gets killed, EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T mean to kill them, it's first degree murder by felony murder rule.  So, if your accomplice shoots someone during the crime, it's on you. If your gun accidentally discharges, that's on you too.  What if you scare the victim and they die from a heart attack?  That's tricky, but, it is likely to be on you too.  So, if you are committing armed robbery and the victim attacks you, and you kill them in self defense......it's probably still murder by felony murder rule.  Just my guess.  I wonder if that was the reasoning in the case you mention above, Tardislass.

 

I do agree with that. My dad and I have talked every time there's another teen arrested for a serious crime about how teens are surprised to learn after they committed a crime they can be tried as adults and really can't figure out how they don't realize that. Yes, you really can. All those criminal shows aren't making it up DAs really can try you as an adult. There are crimes where they can try you as an adult. You can be charged with first degree murder, second degree murder or manslaughter.  And of course as you mention felony murder rule. But their young and don't think. 

[Annber03]

7 hours ago, nokat said:

I do like how a lot of these shows start with what a wonderful town these people live in. Great place to raise the kids, the best neighborhood ever. Well except for the murder.

Oh, yes, I always get a kick out of that, too. And it's a small town, and they know everyone here, nobody's a stranger, etc....and then they're all shocked, SHOCKED to find out one or more people in the town is holding some kind of dark secret. I find it refreshing when local officers and citizens will straight up say, "Yeah, our town can have its share of problems." Sometimes it's more that they're used to certain types of crimes happening more often than murders, but still, at least they're willing to acknowledge their town isn't perfect. 

39 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I think that a lot of people who commit crimes, especially young people, don't realize that if you are committing a felony, and someone gets killed, EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T mean to kill them, it's first degree murder by felony murder rule.  So, if your accomplice shoots someone during the crime, it's on you. If your gun accidentally discharges, that's on you too.  What if you scare the victim and they die from a heart attack?  That's tricky, but, it is likely to be on you too.  So, if you are committing armed robbery and the victim attacks you, and you kill them in self defense......it's probably still murder by felony murder rule.

Ohhhhhhhh, yeah. These people are usually so caught up in the heat of the moment, the anger, that they think this is their quick fix solution to their problems, and so long as they cover their tracks and nobody says anything, all should be fine. Except, of course, it never winds up being that simple, because murder is never simple, and you can see, when they're getting their sentence in court, that it's fully hit them then that, "Oh, shit. I'm really screwed." And as we've seen in many shows, teenagers in particular generally aren't the most sophisticated of criminals, so it doesn't take much to catch them a lot of the time. Every time I see a story about teenagers being sent to jail for much, if not all of their lives, I just think, "You threw away your life for this?" 

I'm also always amazed by the people who don't realize until after a murder that, oh, gee, cleaning up the crime scene and disposing of the body is a LOT harder than they thought! Blood is a really tough stain to get out, and dead bodies are...not easy to carry. That's another thing that trips up a lot of these people-they plan out everything right up to the time of the murder itself, and then wind up having to kinda improvise how to handle the aftermath. 

[Tardislass]

3 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I've seen similar shows, one is called Life or Death or something like that. I find them interesting too. I appreciate what you are saying about how sometimes the prosecutors and/or police get on a mission that may not really be based on fact, like Kelly Siegler, of Cold Justice.  She really crossed the line and I now boycott her show.  I no longer trust her.  No telling how many cases she has messed up.  I don't know how they could put someone on death row or prison for life, when they shouldn't be there AND they know it. 

I think that a lot of people who commit crimes, especially young people, don't realize that if you are committing a felony, and someone gets killed, EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T mean to kill them, it's first degree murder by felony murder rule.  So, if your accomplice shoots someone during the crime, it's on you. If your gun accidentally discharges, that's on you too.  What if you scare the victim and they die from a heart attack?  That's tricky, but, it is likely to be on you too.  So, if you are committing armed robbery and the victim attacks you, and you kill them in self defense......it's probably still murder by felony murder rule.  Just my guess.  I wonder if that was the reasoning in the case you mention above, Tardislass.

One factor from all the interviews of death row killers is poverty. In one of the cases, a teenager whose father was a judge had two friends that used to come to his apartment(on his fathers land) and use his cocaine to get high. One of the friends, during one high, wanted to go and bust something up, so the son of the judge gave him and the other friend an axe and a serrated knife. They go and break into a house and the high guy kills all the residents to bring their souls to Satan.  The two friends involved in the murder get death penalty. Interestingly, the judge's son doesn't get charged even though he supplied them the tools and car. Had an interview with the judge and he defends his son by claiming he never thought they'd murder someone only damaged property(well, why did they need a knife), then contradicts himself by praising his son for not allowing the killers to take a gun-only the ax and knife. The judge of course ends by saying his son's a good boy and should have this hung over his head.

If the kid wasn't a judge's kid, he would've been charge with supplying weapons(the killers brought the weapons back after the fact and the ax had tell-tale markings of the killing) not to mention selling drugs and cocaine to the others. But the judge was trying to push all the blame on the two other boys.

[funky-rat]

On ‎8‎/‎5‎/‎2018 at 11:41 AM, Tardislass said:

Finding someone dead of natural causes and finding someone murdered are two different things. 

I understand that, but your average person who stumbles on someone they considered a friend for over 20 years (over 2 different jobs) who doesn't give any signs of anything being wrong and just doesn't show up for work one day may have issues as well.  I didn't when my grandfather died, but we were expecting it, and he looked peaceful, where he had looked prior like he was in constant pain (his face would contort and he would moan, but he didn't communitcate with us, or open his eyes), so it didn't really bother me.  But had I stumbled upon a friend deceased - even of natural causes - because they didn't show up for something and I found them like he did, it would shake me to the core.  Three years out, it still haunts him.  We all take things differently.

[funky-rat]

4 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I think that a lot of people who commit crimes, especially young people, don't realize that if you are committing a felony, and someone gets killed, EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T mean to kill them, it's first degree murder by felony murder rule.  So, if your accomplice shoots someone during the crime, it's on you. If your gun accidentally discharges, that's on you too.  What if you scare the victim and they die from a heart attack?  That's tricky, but, it is likely to be on you too.  So, if you are committing armed robbery and the victim attacks you, and you kill them in self defense......it's probably still murder by felony murder rule.  Just my guess.  I wonder if that was the reasoning in the case you mention above, Tardislass.

16 minutes ago, Tardislass said:

One factor from all the interviews of death row killers is poverty. In one of the cases, a teenager whose father was a judge had two friends that used to come to his apartment(on his fathers land) and use his cocaine to get high. One of the friends, during one high, wanted to go and bust something up, so the son of the judge gave him and the other friend an axe and a serrated knife. They go and break into a house and the high guy kills all the residents to bring their souls to Satan.  The two friends involved in the murder get death penalty. Interestingly, the judge's son doesn't get charged even though he supplied them the tools and car. Had an interview with the judge and he defends his son by claiming he never thought they'd murder someone only damaged property(well, why did they need a knife), then contradicts himself by praising his son for not allowing the killers to take a gun-only the ax and knife. The judge of course ends by saying his son's a good boy and should have this hung over his head.

If the kid wasn't a judge's kid, he would've been charge with supplying weapons(the killers brought the weapons back after the fact and the ax had tell-tale markings of the killing) not to mention selling drugs and cocaine to the others. But the judge was trying to push all the blame on the two other boys.

My husband had a relative that died in prison (natural causes) as life w/o possibility of parole because he drove the car in a murder committed.  He didn't do enough to stop it (even though one of the victims said he saved her life - her boyfriend died at the hands of the other person with his relative), so he was just as guilty in the eyes of the law.  While I would never argue that he deserved jail time (the relative never argued that either), it was so very lopsided.  They were tried separately in separate venues (on purpose) with separate lawyers.  The killer got parole eventually.  The relative got life w/o parole.  He had a horrible upbringing - horrible abuse, and he was a Viet-Nam Vet who came home horribly broken.  While it's not a sole indicator, past does absolutely play a part in things.

Edited August 7, 2018 by funky-rat

[riley702]

Way back in high school, the son of a state trooper killed his best friend by shooting him in the face with a shotgun, over a girl (so he told his friends at school), but his dad pushed it as an accident and got him off without even recklessness charges. How could a teenage kid of a policeman not know not to "play" with a gun? He moved away pretty quickly as school was out for the summer as soon as it was wrapped up.

Edited August 7, 2018 by riley702
clarity

[walnutqueen]

Did anyone else happen to catch Sugar Town on ID last night?  It was the Louisiana case about the young black man who "somehow" shot himself in the chest while sitting in the back of a police cruiser with his hands manacled behind his back (after being searched and arrested for the small amount of marijuana the police officer DID find hidden on his person).  The entire story enraged me - especially the obvious and systematic abuse of power in the sheriff's office, but the fact that the dickswab sheriff avoided prosecution despite his own subordinates being convicted and testifying against him was beyond the pale.  His arrogance and sheer venom during his interview was astonishing, as is the thought that folks are still electing him to office.

[Sile]

7 hours ago, Tardislass said:

Had an interview with the judge and he defends his son by claiming he never thought they'd murder someone only damaged property(well, why did they need a knife), then contradicts himself by praising his son for not allowing the killers to take a gun-only the ax and knife.

WTF?  Yeah, Dad, that's really praiseworthy.  Because if I had a choice of what weapon would be used to murder me, I'd definitely take an ax or a serrated knife over a gun...

Thanks @Annber03 and @walnutqueen!  Now I have a reward to look forward to for getting through the hellish month of August.  I'm always interested to see if it's a crime I'm familiar with (a lot of his cases are before my time but I've heard of them) and to see what facts they've altered for dramatic purposes.  Sometimes it's really odd, for instance using a fictitious address for no reason, like when the neighborhood isn't even in existence anymore.

17 hours ago, nokat said:

I'm happy to know there is another season of Homicide Hunter. That guy and his droll delivery. If being an asshole was a crime, there would be a fence around Colorado Springs.
 

Does that mean that the town would be full of assholes or that Kenda would have them all cleared out and declare it an asshole free zone?

Edited August 8, 2018 by Sile

[walnutqueen]

3 minutes ago, Sile said:

Does that mean that the town would be full of assholes or that Kenda would have them all cleared out and declare it an asshole free zone?

I think both.  It is full of assholes, but Kenda would have them all cleared out if he had his druthers.  ;-)

[atlantaloves]

What in the hell? Don't tell me, she fell down the stairs, right? God I hate that guy, he is beyond guilty. Hey, is the new netflix documentary on him worth watching? I have seen so many, I am not sure I can stomach one more.  Advise guys, thanks! 

[galleta]

48 minutes ago, walnutqueen said:

Did anyone else happen to catch Sugar Town on ID last night?  It was the Louisiana case about the young black man who "somehow" shot himself in the chest while sitting in the back of a police cruiser with his hands manacled behind his back (after being searched and arrested for the small amount of marijuana the police officer DID find hidden on his person).  The entire story enraged me - especially the obvious and systematic abuse of power in the sheriff's office, but the fact that the dickswab sheriff avoided prosecution despite his own subordinates being convicted and testifying against him was beyond the pale.  His arrogance and sheer venom during his interview was astonishing, as is the thought that folks are still electing him to office.

 I believe he was prosecuted (in federal court) for overall abuses but acquitted, which makes it worse. I looked it up mid show and when I saw he was acquitted,  I couldn't watch the rest. Just so depressing.

[walnutqueen]

Just now, galleta said:

 I believe he was prosecuted (in federal court) for overall abuses but acquitted, which makes it worse. I looked it up mid show and when I saw he was acquitted,  I couldn't watch the rest. Just so depressing.

You're absolutely right - I think I was so enraged that I might have blocked out that acquittal.  You are smart to have tuned out, because every subsequent minute of this show after that travesty of justice elevated my blood pressure another few points. 

Also, great clarification about the federal cases against this sheriff's office for general abuse, not the young man's death (which was ruled a suicide).

[Sile]

Anybody watching Buried in the Backyard?  I've seen most of the cases on other shows, but the one this week was new.  Guy disappears, girlfriend protests innocence, he's found in a well in, well, the backyard.  Further investigation turns up a missing ex who end up being buried in the yard of their old house.  Except his head (which dug up before she moved and later tossed into a landfill).

Thing that gets me is that they identified well guy from his pacemaker.  My first thought was 'why aren't they checking out his pacemaker relay machine'?  It took them quite some time to come up with the same thought, which proved he did not die from a heart attack as girlfriend claimed.  I still can't figure out why 1.  they didn't check his pacemaker machine when his son first reported him missing and 2.  why she didn't dispose of the machine...  and, while she was at it, remove his pacemaker before she threw him in the well.

Also of note, she also left enough skull fragments in the husband's grave to prove that he died of gunshots to the head and not natural causes as she claimed.

[Lovecat]

Is anyone watching the 4-part series Evil Genius on Netflix?  The first episode tells the story of a pizza delivery guy who is kidnapped, fitted with a collar bomb, and forced to rob a bank...and ends with a 911 call reporting a body in a freezer. Shit gets weird from there ;)  I devoured 3 episodes last night and am fixin’ to finish today.

[andromeda331]

19 hours ago, Tardislass said:

One factor from all the interviews of death row killers is poverty. In one of the cases, a teenager whose father was a judge had two friends that used to come to his apartment(on his fathers land) and use his cocaine to get high. One of the friends, during one high, wanted to go and bust something up, so the son of the judge gave him and the other friend an axe and a serrated knife. They go and break into a house and the high guy kills all the residents to bring their souls to Satan.  The two friends involved in the murder get death penalty. Interestingly, the judge's son doesn't get charged even though he supplied them the tools and car. Had an interview with the judge and he defends his son by claiming he never thought they'd murder someone only damaged property(well, why did they need a knife), then contradicts himself by praising his son for not allowing the killers to take a gun-only the ax and knife. The judge of course ends by saying his son's a good boy and should have this hung over his head.

If the kid wasn't a judge's kid, he would've been charge with supplying weapons(the killers brought the weapons back after the fact and the ax had tell-tale markings of the killing) not to mention selling drugs and cocaine to the others. But the judge was trying to push all the blame on the two other boys.

He would and really should have yes. He supplied the weapons. That should have received the same amount of time as the ones who committed the murder. Giving weapons and a car to go commit murder that should fall under facilitation? Of course he gets away with it because he's a judge's son. How do people believe that crap? Oh, he's a good boy, so its totally okay he committed a crime that lead to murders we'll just let him off. Its the others who were clearly bad, bad boys. Congratulations Judge, you just helped your boy get away with murder. I'm sure he'll take that lesson to heart.   

[Tardislass]

7 minutes ago, andromeda331 said:

He would and really should have yes. He supplied the weapons. That should have received the same amount of time as the ones who committed the murder. Giving weapons and a car to go commit murder that should fall under facilitation? Of course he gets away with it because he's a judge's son. How do people believe that crap? Oh, he's a good boy, so its totally okay he committed a crime that lead to murders we'll just let him off. Its the others who were clearly bad, bad boys. Congratulations Judge, you just helped your boy get away with murder. I'm sure he'll take that lesson to heart.   

Watching these crime shows shows how judges can make really bad decisions emotionally. Forensic Files had a case of a lawyer who had killed his wife after finding out she was pregnant and knowing his mistress would be angry. Of course, the mistress turns out to be a local judge who presided over trials where the husband/killer was a lawyer and surprise! ruled in favor of him. Both the lawyer and judge were pretty despicable human beings. The husband had shot his wife right after they had sex and she was getting dressed. Ugh. And the judge knew about the wife and gave husband ultimatum. Never did find out if the mistress lost her judgeship and law degree but as a professional, I think the state bar would probably disqualify her. 

[Annber03]

2 hours ago, Lovecat said:

Is anyone watching the 4-part series Evil Genius on Netflix?  The first episode tells the story of a pizza delivery guy who is kidnapped, fitted with a collar bomb, and forced to rob a bank...and ends with a 911 call reporting a body in a freezer. Shit gets weird from there ;)  I devoured 3 episodes last night and am fixin’ to finish today.

I haven't seen that particular series, but I've heard that story about the delivery guy on other shows before, yeah. Truly one of the weirdest stories I've ever heard-the elaborate nature of all the craziness alone is just wild. 

[hoosiermom]

walnutqueen: I am pissed off at the world enough right now. I have “Sugar Town” on DVR but after yours and others comments, I don’t think I’ll be watching it!

[SunnyBeBe]

Did anyone see Reasonable Doubt last night on ID channel?  I had actually seen this story done by a totally different show years ago.  So, from the get go, I knew that the defendant was a real piece of work.  And, it's true.  This show really took an objective look, imo.  Too bad that they lost so much of the physical evidence, but, I do believe they had enough to convict.  Plus, if they had the actual evidence, I think it would have really proved that this guy was guilty.  

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/reasonable-doubt/about

This inmate's father and brother are very smart, but, they are totally blind when it comes to their son/brother. And to condone implying that the estranged wife was lying or involved is beyond low.  I know she didn't appear on the show and I can't say that I blame her.  She knows that her ex is parole eligible in 2 years! I'd be terrified that he would get out and come after me. 

I do NOT believe the man who they labeled a witness who was the husband of Scott's estranged wife's best friend. I wonder if someone influenced his testimony.  I just don't believe that the victim's girlfriend/Scott's estranged wife was involved nor that she lied. I do not believe that she told Scott that the victim was shot in the head. I think Scott knew, because he did it.  I have seen the estranged wife's  full story/interview, etc.  on tv and it was VERY compelling.  The hell that Scott put her through.....and then to blame her.  Infuriating.  Here's her interview.  I tried to find a clip with a condensed version, but, couldn't.  But, if you get time, you can check it out.  It puts the Reasonable Doubt episode into a better perspective, imo. I know you can't always go by demeanor, but, I do find the girlfriend/estranged wife story compelling and believable. 

Edited August 9, 2018 by SunnyBeBe

[Annber03]

I did see that episode, yeah. And I agree that Scott did it. For me, the part that had my antenna up was when he was asked point blank by Chris during that phone interview if he killed this guy, and he gave this roundabout answer about how he didn't like the guy and all that before claiming he wouldn't kill the guy. Maybe it's just me, but if somebody asked me if I killed someone, and I did not do it, the very first, and only, word out of my mouth would be, "No." Not something like, "Well, I didn't like the guy, blah, blah..." and things of that sort. Just a flat out, "No."

Thanks for the clip. I'll give it a look.

[SunnyBeBe]

I suspect that Scott has some kind of disorder, maybe, narcissistic personality or something, because, to me, he appears to be one of those people who doesn't realize how ridiculous their lies are. They are so full of themselves and impressed with their intellect, that they think that they can tell any story, no matter how bizarre, and it will be believed and not challenged.  

You make a good point about the answer he gave about how he didn't like the guy, but, wouldn't kill him.  It reminds me of an answer that quite a few defendants will give when asked if they assaulted their victim.  For some reason, MANY of them will not answer you outright, but, say, "If I had hit her, she wouldn't be able to have gotten to the phone and called 911, because, if I had hit her like she claims, she'd be flat on the floor, with a bloody nose, because, I'm strong and she'd really know it, if I had hit her!"  To some defendant's they think that is a great answer, when in reality, it tells the judge just who you are and does nothing to help your case.  Plus, it makes no sense and inflames the judge.  But, no matter how many times, it might be explained that it would HURT their case to say that.....they say it anyway and of course, it hurts their case.  lol

[Tardislass]

4 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I suspect that Scott has some kind of disorder, maybe, narcissistic personality or something, because, to me, he appears to be one of those people who doesn't realize how ridiculous their lies are. They are so full of themselves and impressed with their intellect, that they think that they can tell any story, no matter how bizarre, and it will be believed and not challenged.  

You make a good point about the answer he gave about how he didn't like the guy, but, wouldn't kill him.  It reminds me of an answer that quite a few defendants will give when asked if they assaulted their victim.  For some reason, MANY of them will not answer you outright, but, say, "If I had hit her, she wouldn't be able to have gotten to the phone and called 911, because, if I had hit her like she claims, she'd be flat on the floor, with a bloody nose, because, I'm strong and she'd really know it, if I had hit her!"  To some defendant's they think that is a great answer, when in reality, it tells the judge just who you are and does nothing to help your case.  Plus, it makes no sense and inflames the judge.  But, no matter how many times, it might be explained that it would HURT their case to say that.....they say it anyway and of course, it hurts their case.  lol

On I Am A Killer, one of the childhood friends of a killer actually stated that yes he knew that his friend beat up girls he dated but would never kill a person. I'm sure he wanted to show how non-bloodthirsty his pal was but yeeesh. Just the matter of fact tone and how he said it led me to believe that he and the friend were both jerk-wads. 

[Jaded]

If anyone decided to stick with it....Airing two episodes at a time seems like a burn off.
 

8:00 PM est/ 7:00 ct CBS

Pink Collar Crimes

Two episodes: The first hour focuses on an investigator known as “The Psychic Crime Fighter,” while the 9 pm installment highlights a real estate investor with close ties to the hip hop community whose shady past comes back to haunt her.

[SunnyBeBe]

I saw one episode of Pink Collar Crime and liked it. 

Edited August 12, 2018 by SunnyBeBe

[ExplainItAgain]

On 8/6/2018 at 11:12 PM, Tardislass said:

If anyone has Netflix, there's a documentary miniseries called I Am A Killer, which is about men on death row mostly in Texas and the crime in their words, the words of the victims family's and prosecutors. Very enlightening and is further proof that kids who grew up with abuse, drugs and alcohol in the family are far more likely to commit violent crimes. The show is also interesting on how prosecutors can sometimes twist the truth. An owner of a pawn shop and his friend were held up and the friend was shot and killed by a 17 year old. The kid maintains that the victim jumped over the counter and tried to get the gun away and was shot. The DA said the forensic evidence showed that there wasn't a fight. When interviewed, the owner corroborated the killer's story yet the prosecutor insisted that man remembered it wrong. 

I didn't think I'd like the show but it is well-done and not salacious.

The guy in the first episode was crazy asking for the death penalty. I just watched the second episode and it had a few twists and turns with the brother turning out to be the DA and the guy possibly inciting his friend to commit the murder. I'll have to keep watching to see the one you describe.

I know that there are only a handful of women on death row, but I would like to see this show profile one of their cases.

[InDueTime]

On 8/7/2018 at 7:49 PM, walnutqueen said:

You're absolutely right - I think I was so enraged that I might have blocked out that acquittal.  You are smart to have tuned out, because every subsequent minute of this show after that travesty of justice elevated my blood pressure another few points. 

Also, great clarification about the federal cases against this sheriff's office for general abuse, not the young man's death (which was ruled a suicide).

I agree. When the people talking about how they where certain that the sheriff would be found guilty, I had a sinking feeling the old bastard would walk. Part of me wanted at least one of the jurors to explain themselves. On the other hand, whatever answer they gave would've likely pissed me off even more.

 

Did anyone watch Broken Trust on Wendesday, the 19th? I'm not blaming the victim at all. However, as the episode went on, I wanted to grab her by shoulders and shake some sense into her. I get wanting to give someone a second chance, but come on. Letting the layabout, theiving handyman borrow her truck, which he delayed bringing back looted. Then, she takes in some woman off the street. Soon after, she takes some of the woman's things and runs off. Then, she buys a gun from the handyman, of all people; and, surprise surprise, gets screwed over again. Why him, I'll never understand. As she keeps demanding the gun she paid for, eventually, he bludgeons her to death. He got only 30 years; with the possibility of parole. The victim thought a gun to would keep her safe, and it was the gun deal that lead to her being in danger. Nonetheless, Rest in Peace.

Edited August 13, 2018 by InDueTime
Missing word

[azshadowwalker]

On 8/8/2018 at 8:32 AM, Annber03 said:

I haven't seen that particular series, but I've heard that story about the delivery guy on other shows before, yeah. Truly one of the weirdest stories I've ever heard-the elaborate nature of all the craziness alone is just wild. 

There's an old Unsolved Mysteries about a cabbie who was fitted with a bomb and forced to rob a bank. Weird that it happened again. 

[SunnyBeBe]

I've missed a lot these stories above.  I'm not sure how. I watch quite a bit of ID.

It would seem to me that committing just about any kind of crime would be so risky now days. With the ability LE has to trace your DNA, prints on just about anything, trace receipts, purchases, surveillance footage on roads, stores, homes, GPS on phones and cars, etc.  It would seem that if local police and especially the FBI put their full effort into it, you wouldn't have a chance to hide what you did.  (That's why I'm wondering why they can't find out what happened to Mollie Tibbetts. missing person)

https://whotv.com/2018/08/13/dci-to-give-update-on-mollie-tibbetts-investigation/