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 ...
I think that there are two schools of thought on this thread...those who condemn the perverts on the show (ie, viewers who watch the show because they like to see people get busted), and those who condemn the show itself (its sleaze factor, its methods, etc). What I don't see on this thread is a lot of people standing up and saying that the perverts on the show are just misunderstood. I think that everyone is in general agreement that these guys need to get what they deserve, it's just how they get there that we're arguing about. BTW, I condemn the show, because I think that it's vigilantism pure and simple, and that the end does not justify the means.
Now - if people (show producers, or just regular guys) would like to aid in a police investigation, or if the show turned over its evidence to law enforcement after obtaining it...then I think that I'd approve a little more. But, the fact that it needs to lure the perv in, and get some sort of a "Money Shot" interview on camera is sensationalist crap, to me.
I think that people will support this kind of justice, until it's their particular ox that gets gored. There aren't too many people who would support a child molester, for instance. But, what about people that spank their kids? That's a real hot button issue with a lot of people. If I choose to give wbill jr a swat on the rear - or even if I do something that's misconstrued (by a busybody neighbor, for instance) as spanking, I don't need Dateline showing up at my house with CPS looking to take my kid away.
To take it to an extreme...what about speeders? Drunk Drivers? People that have a beer, are still legally sober, and drive? Jaywalkers? Where does it stop? Just because something is "for the children" doesn't necessarily make it right - even if the end result is a positive one.
Was he the one that typed the information? Are you absolutely sure beyond any doubt the gentleman typed any of the logs being presented here today? :)
If it was across state lines, doesn’t it become a federal case? I don’t know if they will push it that far, or exactly what the federal law states in cases like these. If there is a big difference between the Texas and federal laws, then I agree, the out-of-staters will walk.
I think the problem with the "Go GET'EM" crowd is that in general they have this puritanical religious fervor that minimizes the need for due process and fairness and subjugates all to a strict moral code that rejects the need to "presume innocence until proven guilty". Theyre sort of like jihadists, and it is beyond scary.
I thought that it was fairly apt. And, that we were getting there quickly.
In stings like this they typically get a year or two in jail or on probation & registered as a sex offender.
My problem with it is that the real danger is pedophiles and that's not what they're catching here. Someone who is interested in a 15 year old girl isn't a pedophile - he's just messed up in the head. Go after the guys who are chasing 9 year old girls. They're the really scary ones.
My gut feeling is that many of the same people who watch Jerry Springer would watch To Catch A Predator. It seems to be aiming for the same type of response from people—the appeal of the lurid. I could be wrong.
Thanks, that’s helpful. So if the guy broke the Texas law, but did it from a state that does not have a similar law, with a victim who is in Texas, how does that work?
Yes I am sure. He was a DA, not some homeless yahoo who can’t defend himself.
Where did he commit the alleged crime? In his home? Did he physically go to Texas? See where I’m going with this one? This is going to end up in Congress to protect the children....more laws on the books because a really smart Lawyer will find a loophole and use the loophole to protect their clients Constitutional Rights.
The Libertarians always defend pedophiles by hiding behind the opposition to “for the children” routine. Any attempts to slow the rate of perversion in this country is met with a howl of indignation. They will accept almost every form of government oppression as long as it doesn’t touch porn or drugs. They will defend porn and drugs to the death. That’s why they can’t get elected.
I watched several episodes, not many, and I assumed that the format was always the same, that they waited for the child molester to show up at the staged house.
As many others have pointed out, this was not the case in at least one instance, where they went to the home of the person involved.
That’s different. That’s a horse of a different color.
Through a group called perverted justice, that according to some things I have read was sending his friends letters he was a want a bee pervert. And as they will not give anyone the unedited transcripts or the original saved disks no one knows what he said to anyone on line. After so many months of harassment he probably was real close to that point when they showed up with cameras.
They met another guy in a park because he refused to go to the house. He turned out to have a record. The idiot suspected it was a set-up and showed up anyway. Sheesh...
If you have a DA who is doing this stuff, it’s best to get that out in the open. Imagine the damage a blackmailer could do.
I don’t think so. He gave them his phone number. That’s how they found him.
Honestly, do you think an innocent DA is going to let ANYONE harass them? He can have them thrown in jail. Think about it. My grandfather was a judge and people harassed him all the time. He called the cops and had them arrested.
Yes, I can see where this is going. This may end up being similar to wire-fraud, where the victims and the perpetrators are miles apart.
It would be interesting to see that if Texas applied for the extradition of such a criminal from another state, if it holds up in court.
From the story that this thread is attached to...
Exactly. The punishment is imposed at the time of arrest. The people are not prosecuted prior to punishment. There is not opportunity for defense prior to punishment.
This is a kangaroo court. In fact, it's not even a kangaroo court.
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