Posted on 08/14/2007 4:27:34 AM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
What about innocent, mentally unstable people?
Exactly my point. A thought crime. No child was harmed in any way.
Of course, NAMBLA, ACLU and other pedophiles are expected to go after such a program.
How long has COPS and America’s Most Wanted been on the air?
So do you think that police got a warrant for his arrest under false pretenses? If so, then as a legal professional, he should have known that he can go to court and clear his name. The Duke lacrosse players showed that it can be done.
I agree that it is tragic that he shot himself. And as you say, we may never know the truth. But by doing so, he implicated himself.
Presumption of innocence is for the legal system and the courtroom, to assure a fair trial. Outside of the courtroom we have eyes, ears and, hopefully, common sense ... all of which allow us to evaluate a person's standing. Yet you seem to want to take a guy that shows up with condoms and love lube and presume him innocent -- until when exactly? Just asking.
The man got online and talked about having sex with a minor, even agreeing to having a meeting. And, he was a district attorney.
2 options here:
1. He was conducting his own legitimate sting operation or was trying to see what girls would agree to an illegal act. In either case, he should have notified his superiors/colleagues of what he was doing. By all indications, he was not conducting a legitimate exercise.
2. He was trolling for minor girls to have illegal sex with. Either he got scared or had a flat or something.
Let me ask you a question. How would you defend a 42 year-old man talking dirty and arranging to have sex with a 14 year-old girl? Under what circumstances is that acceptable behavior?
I couldn't do that job... how could you stay sane?
You know, it would be one thing if these folks were taking pictures of 16-17 yo girls who could pass for 20 (still not right or moral, but maybe understandable from a biological perspective). But it's always 10-12 yo's. Just sick! I do agree, though, that there's no curing that kind of perversity. Get them out of society... one way or another...
You posted: We don’t know. Now we will never know. We should demand a higher standard than “perhaps”.
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The reason we don’t know is because this good Samaritan chose to kill himself before he could present evidence or show the weakness of the evidence against him, or, in fact, even be CHARGED with a crime. I see that some on this thread are unwilling to give the cops and even lowly NBC the same presumption of innocence that is being afforded to this troubled suicide “victim.”
You are arguing that the well-respected and highly thought of prosecutor was mentally unstable?
GO back a few posts and read the transcript from the Esquire Magazine article.
I have NO SYMPATHY for this guy.
I see. But everyone will spend the $100 placed in their checking account.
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.
However, the state is held to a higher standard. NBC, when acting in concert with the state, should be held to the same standard. NBC is using local law enforcement to add a imprimatur of authority to their broadcast. But they are not holding themselves to the same standard.
This is evident by the fact that none of these cases goes forward for prosecution. The people are shamed on TV and that is the end of it.
But since the police are intimately involved in the shaming, this is a punishment that is imposed by the state without the benefit of a trial. These men are convicted of nothing, and yet their lives are ruined. They do not have a chance to defend themselves or confront their accusers, which is a right we grant to every murderer, rapist or thug in court.
We have a system of justice which works. It is cumbersome, at times, but it works. I see no reason to throw it out the window just so Dateline NBC can score a ratings victory over American Idol.
You posted: NBC also tried to trap white men at NASCAR races by showing up with some Muslim guys in full beard and regalia. That’s one. Another is the fact that many, many 14 yr. old girls have more miles on them than Rte. 95. So, the age factor becomes the hook. Why would seemingly normal men be doing this stuff to an innocent teen? I think that the Internet lets men seek out teens that they think are experienced, and they want some of that experience.
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I don’t see your point. If NASCAR fans, or anyone else, assaults someone else, whether dressed in Islamic clothing or not, it is a crime. Send a white, weak-looking white guy into Harlem at 2:00 am. It isn’t entrapment if some of the residents attack the guy. It is a crime.
As for the 14 year old girl with “miles on her,” I guess your point is that it’s ok for an adult male to have sex with a 14 year old as long as she isn’t a virgin. I disagree with that suggestion. I agree that some men, apparently a large number, want some of that 14 year old action, but it is a crime, and rightfully so.
Your analogy doesn’t work.
All of these guys, when confronted, know that they did something wrong. It’s not that they think there is a chance they may be innocent, they know it is illegal before they get caught.
Wedlock?
Maybe Conradt couldn't. Maybe that is why he was messed up in this business. Maybe he couldn't leave it alone, even though he was retired.
It’s not just 12 and 13. The professors kid who got busted had movies of men and 3 year-olds. This is a very sick underworld and we only see the tip of the iceberg. Eastern Europe uses orphanages as brothels.
I worked with a guy who ended up going to prison for drugs. The only job he could get coming from prison was running a porn site for the Russians. He told a friend that there is no bottom to the porn industry. His job is to troll around to find something that “ups the ante”. That’s how they make money. There is no limit to the depravity. I think that is how we end up like this.
I love the Predator Show. It’s not the substance of it that is appealing. It’s the fruition of the lifestyle. It’s watching people who finally wake up to what they have become.
NBC should have every right to defend themselves in a court of law and be protected by that very same presumption of innocence, if it comes to that.
Let's be clear. The crime was "thinking" that the person was a minor. They did not KNOW, nor could they KNOW, how old the person was.
Ironically, if a 13-year-old went on an adults-only chat room and posed as a 20-year-old, no adult would be arrested. Where an actual child IS harmed, everyone looks away.
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