NBC stung by criticism of sex-predator cases

Steve Thompson Dallas Morning News ^

[Dudoight]

The show was an instant success. It lured would-be child-sex predators to a public shaming, delivered by a handsome host. Ratings, awards and even praise from members of Congress followed. But now Dateline NBC's "To Catch a Predator" series is taking heat. And so is the police chief of the Collin County town that hosted it eight months ago. The troubles stem from the show's visit to Murphy, where more than 20 people were arrested but escaped prosecution because of evidence problems. Also a former district attorney ensnared in the sting shot himself.

[SmoothTalker]

“NOTHING is shameful any more.”

Nothing is shameful to some but there is much that is shameful for the overwhelming amount of Americans and even most pervs have to work and interact with normal americans on a daily basis.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"I am not going to ask such a man over for dinner, of course. I am going to make the reasonable assumption, for my own purposes, that he is likely guilty, and act accordingly."

First you said that you would show favor to the guy because he is to be presumed innocent ... then you are going to shun him because he's likely guilty.

[DesScorp]

"I'm a supporter of the death penalty for child molesters. But I do think in order to be a child molester... you kinda' have to molest a child or something..."

Wait just a damn minute...this guy, a former prosecutor, was trying to pick up boys on the Internet. We can thank God that he snagged the NBC crew rather than a real kid. And you're argument is essentially "well, he's a wannabe scumbag, but he didn't get caught this time, so don't shame him". Do I have that right? That you think this pedophile should get a pass, should have been exempt from being put to shame in public because even though he tried to f*ck teenage boys, he didn't actually get one. So public shame is out, right?

[AppyPappy]

Pre-emptive punishment is a great deterrent. When you walk into a bank and fire off a few round while yelling “this is a hold up”, saying “just joking” isn’t going to get you off.

There is a reason why so many of these men plead guilty. They know they truly are guilty. Even they recognize the horribleness of their crimes. Yet, they do them anyway. But they don’t face their depravity until they are caught.

If we had caught the 9/11 terrorists before they commited their crime, they would probably be out of prison right now. Think about that. Their only crime was conspiring to knock down the WTC and the Pentagon. They were just “thinking” about it as someone said earlier.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

""I am not going to ask such a man over for dinner, of course. I am going to make the reasonable assumption, for my own purposes, that he is likely guilty, and act accordingly."

First you said that you would show favor to the guy because he is to be presumed innocent ... then you are going to shun him because he's likely guilty.

Had to correct my error with italics.

[robertpaulsen]

"How long has COPS and America’s Most Wanted been on the air?"

Are they on the air to educate parents? Or is it pure entertainment?

Gosh, maybe you believe America's Funniest Home Videos are being aired as a precaution not to do those things. An hour-long PSA, huh?

[NCLaw441]

You posted: And if you think that even 10 yr. old girls don’t know what that sex act is, then you haven’t been keeping up.
***
I know that girls are growing up sexually too early. The difference between us is that I think that taking advantage of that by an adult male is wrong, even if they are not virgins, and you seem to think it somehow is less wrong, if wrong at all.

[Zechariah11]

In a Google video of the Channel 8 investigations it was brought out that after the initial crime of sexual chat with a minor, some of those involved had serious reservations about going any further. Those at Perverted Justice, however, wouldn't take "no" for an answer and further baited those backing out with taunts and come-ons. NBC is refusing to share internet logs or contractural arrangements with the prosecutors.

You might wish to see Channel 8's attempt to interview the head of PervertedJustice (someone who has a shady past and is living under an assumed identity). A video, I might add, which is a real keeper because when the tables are turned, the head of PervertedJustice is far more insulting, aggressive, and thuggish than any of the ones he "snares." Ironically, the interviwer, Chris Hansen refuses to be interviewed about the Murphy fiasco.

The police agencies benefit from this alliance by getting financial compensation and possession of the perp's cars. Investigations of bribery are now underway. One police chief is driving around in a new SUV. Furthermore, city officials are chagrinned because all of this is being done without the police doing any investigation of their own.

Before the arrests, contrary to standard procedures, there were no arrest warrants issued. After the arrests, according to DA Roach, the required paperwork is not even being submitted in a majority of the cases!!!

One other thing which has not been mentioned is that the neighbors to the bait house are enraged because they did not want pedophiles coming from miles away into their neghborhoods. Something which has caused at least one city manager to resign.

[ishabibble]

Again, NO. That is not what I said. Here is something about teen girls:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/the_mating_habits_of_the_suburban_high_school_teenager/

If you read it, you will see that the little darlings are not particularly interested in having their honour protected, or that they are very choosy. These girls are quite savvy about sex, and that NBC show plays a mindgame like they are protecting Pollyanna. The show is creepy and the premise is flawed. OK????

[Paige]

I would love to be the one handling this in court. On line I don’t talk to strangers, but yet I still get unsolicited mail all the time and some is rather graphic.

The sister of the man that killed himself will make millions off of this case. Trust me on this one. NBC screwed up as did their Keystone Cops.

[NCLaw441]

Little girls are too young to know anything about their honor, and keeping it protected. That is why having sex with them is illegal. They cannot make an informed choice. Some of these girls may not be Pollyanna, agreed, but in this country we try to protect all children, whether they may have been previously soiled or not.

[Paige]

Were the law passed before or after the fact? Did these alleged solicitations take place in the State of TX? Were the physical addresses in the State of Texas of the alleged perpetrators in the State of Texas?

[new cruelty]

Are they on the air to educate parents? Or is it pure entertainment?

Maybe both? I know you can comprehend such a concept. Still, that is not what my comment was suggesting. I was actually agreeing with you. You asked "How many seasons does that take? At some point you have to admit that it's only for ratings and nothing else." Maybe you'd feel better about yourself if I stroked your ego by stating, "Gosh, that is a thoughtful observation. You make a good point- NBC is doing this for profit. Just look at shows like COPS and America's Most Wanted. They have been on the air for many many years and haven't really eliminated crime."

Gosh, maybe you believe America's Funniest Home Videos are being aired as a precaution not to do those things. An hour-long PSA, huh?

Huh? huh? huh?

LOL, relax, darla. Get back after you've had a chance to unbunch.

[Paige]

Intent? What was the man’s Intent? Did he actually know he was talking to a “14” year old? If so, his past needs to be checked into and see if has been involved with under aged children in the past.

My major issue in this whole matter deals with the possibility of “entrapment.”

[Aquinasfan]

NBC is recklessly ruining lives without meeting any kind of an objective standard.

I never understood why the faces weren't blurred out.

OTOH, if you show up at a strange place to have sex with a minor, you shouldn't be shocked at what you find, including a sting operation.

[Aquinasfan]

while I am all for getting perv’s off the street, the “reporter” is going to wind up with a bullet in his head sooner or later. He’s going to come out from behind a closed door with that smug look on his face to “confront” someone, only to find someone whos armed, realizes his life is now over, and commits a murder suicide while NBC’s hidden cameras catch it all.

Yup. The cops should do the takedown. The interview can happen later.

But you never know, maybe NBC has posted a "gun free zone" outside the home.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

...this guy, a former prosecutor, was trying to pick up boys on the Internet.

Or was a "pretend" boy on the internet trying to pick up him? The DA in that jurisdiction seems to think that NBC's methods were not clear enough to say who was enticing whom. Had he shown up at the meeting, then I would say "hang him!" But, when all you have is NBC's statements about what was said, and the fact that he never attempted to meeet the "boy," I'm not convinced everything here is exactly as it is being portrayed.

BTW, did you miss the post where I said book him for "contributing..." or "internet enticement" or whatever laws actually apply to what he did? But if he didn't show up to the meeting, he didn't try to molest a child...

[AppyPappy]

Trust me, when they bring out the chat logs, the jury will dismiss it.

[Ditto]

These sexual predators weren't committing any actual crime -- no children were involved at any time -- they simply thought they were.

The police run the same stings to identify and prosecute these creeps and they do get convictions even though no children were involved.

That said, there is something wrong IMHO, with NBC doing the same thing just for ratings.