Crime documentary discussion thread

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I've been sitting on this news for a few days, because I was hoping it wasn't true, but A&E have pulled all filming of The First 48 with immediate effect - Tulsa, Gwinett County and North Charleston. Gutted as this is one of my favourite crime shows 😢

However, a little bit of a consolation prize, A&E have also said:

“With over 90 episodes of The First 48 in production or completed and not yet aired, A&E has enough episodes to fill their schedule needs for the next three years so the network isn’t ordering new episodes at this time but remain committed to the franchise and to delivering this show to viewers."
 
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so glad there is a tattle thread about true crime docs. I have just finished one called The mysterious disappearance of Sherri Papini on Disney + ( it’s a Hulu doc ).
absolute madness - it is one of the most crackers true crime stories I have ever heard about . Let’s just say I went in with assumptions and was proven wrong on each one.

Really good watch. Watched the whole show over the evening ( as I was also dipping in and out of gladiators and poirot 🤓)
 
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so glad there is a tattle thread about true crime docs. I have just finished one called The mysterious disappearance of Sherri Papini on Disney + ( it’s a Hulu doc ).
absolute madness - it is one of the most crackers true crime stories I have ever heard about . Let’s just say I went in with assumptions and was proven wrong on each one.

Really good watch. Watched the whole show over the evening ( as I was also dipping in and out of gladiators and poirot 🤓)
I've watched a Dateline about the case. She's a bleeping nutjob!
 
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I've watched a Dateline about the case. She's a bleeping nutjob!
The lengths this woman went to are extreme to say the very least.
when I first started watching this I assumed the husband must have murdered her . Discovering that she was behind it all was shocking. I also think she has some kind munchausens by proxy going off making the kids ill by putting alcohol bags around their neck on the daily. Both those kids are going to grow up with some serious issues .
I can’t understand why anyone would want to injure themselves to that extent because some of those injuries were horrific .

The ex boyfriend who helped her is also very strange . Why anyone would want to help to hurt someone they apparently cared about is anyone’s guess . Very odd.
 
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The Scream Murders - A True Teen Horror - Disney+. This is one the best true crime documentaries I have seen in some time . It really highlights the impact murder leaves - not just on the victims life ( the family ) but the murderers and their families. The community as a whole . Really excellent watch.

just finished watching this documentary and it’s left me feeling very emotional . I can’t remember the last time I watched a true crime doc which left me feeling for everyone involved ( inc the murderers) . I think this is a tragedy from start to finish - a case of two young lads who should never have met. The documentary gives a really good perspective of the impact that murder has on everyone - not just the victims family. I weirdly have empathy for both the murderers who ifeel both are remorseful for their behaviour . Their families who have to live with the fact their child committed this crime .Both families who approached the victims family to apologise for what their child had done and for them to acknowledge that the kindness they received from Cassies family. Sorry for the long post .
 
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The Scream Murders - A True Teen Horror - Disney+. This is one the best true crime documentaries I have seen in some time . It really highlights the impact murder leaves - not just on the victims life ( the family ) but the murderers and their families. The community as a whole . Really excellent watch.

just finished watching this documentary and it’s left me feeling very emotional . I can’t remember the last time I watched a true crime doc which left me feeling for everyone involved ( inc the murderers) . I think this is a tragedy from start to finish - a case of two young lads who should never have met. The documentary gives a really good perspective of the impact that murder has on everyone - not just the victims family. I weirdly have empathy for both the murderers who ifeel both are remorseful for their behaviour . Their families who have to live with the fact their child committed this crime .Both families who approached the victims family to apologise for what their child had done and for them to acknowledge that the kindness they received from Cassies family. Sorry for the long post .
I haven't watched it but I know the case you're talking about. It has featured on a lot of true crime shows.

My favourite real life crime show is Cold Justice and Torey Adamcik was actually a 'suspect' in one of the cases they worked on. A woman called Nori Jones was murdered in Pocatello, two years before Cassie Jo Stoddart was killed, and her house backed on to Torey Adamcik's parent's house. They actually went to the prison to interview him on the show (he appeared) and also talked to Brian Draper on the phone. I think the strangest/saddest thing, (I can't decide which) and obviously I don't know if this came out in the Disney+ show you watched, is that they don't talk to each other anymore and haven't for a long time. I found a documentary afterwards they'd both taken part in, not long after their convictions IIRC - the impression I was left with from that was that BD was very contrite about the crime but TA was not and his parents blamed BD for everything - basically, their son could do no wrong in their eyes. Sounds like this have shifted a lot since then from what you have said.

Anyway, if you want to watch the CJ episode, it's season 3, episode - Still of the Night. It's available on YouTube. It's my favourite ever episode and I have watched it more times than I care to admit. I won't give away the ending - just rest assured, I did a lot of stalking for ten years on this one 🙈 and I can pretty much answer anything you want to know!

Back to TA and BD - this is probably going to be controversial but I'm going to keep saying it anyway. Juveniles should NEVER be given life without parole - it's unconscionable in my opinion - and the fact that this has been upheld in their case (yet probably would have been overturned in another state) is another travesty of the USA justice system.
 
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I haven't watched it but I know the case you're talking about. It has featured on a lot of true crime shows.

My favourite real life crime show is Cold Justice and Torey Adamcik was actually a 'suspect' in one of the cases they worked on. A woman called Nori Jones was murdered in Pocatello, two years before Cassie Jo Stoddart was killed, and her house backed on to Torey Adamcik's parent's house. They actually went to the prison to interview him on the show (he appeared) and also talked to Brian Draper on the phone. I think the strangest/saddest thing, (I can't decide which) and obviously I don't know if this came out in the Disney+ show you watched, is that they don't talk to each other anymore and haven't for a long time. I found a documentary afterwards they'd both taken part in, not long after their convictions IIRC - the impression I was left with from that was that BD was very contrite about the crime but TA was not and his parents blamed BD for everything - basically, their son could do no wrong in their eyes. Sounds like this have shifted a lot since then from what you have said.

Anyway, if you want to watch the CJ episode, it's season 3, episode - Still of the Night. It's available on YouTube. It's my favourite ever episode and I have watched it more times than I care to admit. I won't give away the ending - just rest assured, I did a lot of stalking for ten years on this one 🙈 and I can pretty much answer anything you want to know!

Back to TA and BD - this is probably going to be controversial but I'm going to keep saying it anyway. Juveniles should NEVER be given life without parole - it's unconscionable in my opinion - and the fact that this has been upheld in their case (yet probably would have been overturned in another state) is another travesty of the USA justice system.
The Disney doc did mention that there had been a similar murder close by to Pocatello however it only touched on this briefly and i don't recall them mentioning that TA lived that close either. This is not to say they didn't - could well have missed this as i was pottering around each episode. I also had the same opinion as you that TA parents thought the sun shone out his a initially but as the documentary progressed I did change my mind. But in hindsight i now wonder if this opinion was influenced by BD's family and BD's remorse because now i am thinking about the family didn't really stop making excuses for TA. I was also annoyed when the parents and TA basically blamed his behaviour on the fact he was possibly coming to terms with being gay.
The doc also featured both BD and TA in prison as well - both were 35 at the time ( and both were on the phone to the producers - not visited in person . It was whilst they were on the phone to TA i thought he came across as being remorseful . There is no question that BD has been remorseful from the very start but TA def less so.

Re - life without parole . I am not sure where i sit with this . The judge clearly thought they posed as a danger to the public at the time and I would agree ( given their "kill "list). You could argue that BD would most likely not reoffend but I cant be certain about TA ( so then if i am having these thoughts then why am I thinking he came across as remorseful? I don't know how to answer that :unsure: ).

I will look for the doc on YT as well thanks
 
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The Disney doc did mention that there had been a similar murder close by to Pocatello however it only touched on this briefly and i don't recall them mentioning that TA lived that close either. This is not to say they didn't - could well have missed this as i was pottering around each episode. I also had the same opinion as you that TA parents thought the sun shone out his a initially but as the documentary progressed I did change my mind. But in hindsight i now wonder if this opinion was influenced by BD's family and BD's remorse because now i am thinking about the family didn't really stop making excuses for TA. I was also annoyed when the parents and TA basically blamed his behaviour on the fact he was possibly coming to terms with being gay.
The doc also featured both BD and TA in prison as well - both were 35 at the time ( and both were on the phone to the producers - not visited in person . It was whilst they were on the phone to TA i thought he came across as being remorseful . There is no question that BD has been remorseful from the very start but TA def less so.

Re - life without parole . I am not sure where i sit with this . The judge clearly thought they posed as a danger to the public at the time and I would agree ( given their "kill "list). You could argue that BD would most likely not reoffend but I cant be certain about TA ( so then if i am having these thoughts then why am I thinking he came across as remorseful? I don't know how to answer that :unsure: ).

I will look for the doc on YT as well thanks
I wouldn't say the murder or Nori Jones was similar except for the use of a knife. Very different motive.

I think TA is highly manipulative - in fact, in the Cold Justice episode, one of the prison staff said to the detective that he was 'tricky' or 'slippery' - something similar. At the time of the filming, TA and BD were in the same prison (I don't know if they still are) and that's why I find it sad/weird that they don't talk to each other. I'd like to watch the documentary you saw but I don't have Disney+ but apparently we are getting it as part of our Sky package so I will watch it then. I'll admit that TA really intrigues me and that makes me feel pretty uncomfortable to be honest.

When I say life without parole for juveniles, I mean it shouldn't even be an option. That door should not be slammed shut immediately. I'm talking about a minimum term followed by parole hearings. Obviously, if they are deemed too dangerous to be released, then they may well end up in prison for their whole life - I'm just don't think that should not be the default position. I say this all the time I know but there has to be hope especially with children. There has to be hope of rehabilitation. There has to be hope that something positive can come out of a tragedy. You are condemning a child to a life behind bars forever and that's what does not sit well with me. That's my point really. Believe me, I have wrestled with this for many years - I was once (metaphorically speaking) one of those people banging on the Thompson/Venebles prison vans at their first court appearance. I actually can't believe I ever felt that way about children.
 
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I wouldn't say the murder or Nori Jones was similar except for the use of a knife. Very different motive.

I think TA is highly manipulative - in fact, in the Cold Justice episode, one of the prison staff said to the detective that he was 'tricky' or 'slippery' - something similar. At the time of the filming, TA and BD were in the same prison (I don't know if they still are) and that's why I find it sad/weird that they don't talk to each other. I'd like to watch the documentary you saw but I don't have Disney+ but apparently we are getting it as part of our Sky package so I will watch it then. I'll admit that TA really intrigues me and that makes me feel pretty uncomfortable to be honest.

When I say life without parole for juveniles, I mean it shouldn't even be an option. That door should not be slammed shut immediately. I'm talking about a minimum term followed by parole hearings. Obviously, if they are deemed too dangerous to be released, then they may well end up in prison for their whole life - I'm just don't think that should not be the default position. I say this all the time I know but there has to be hope especially with children. There has to be hope of rehabilitation. There has to be hope that something positive can come out of a tragedy. You are condemning a child to a life behind bars forever and that's what does not sit well with me. That's my point really. Believe me, I have wrestled with this for many years - I was once (metaphorically speaking) one of those people banging on the Thompson/Venebles prison vans at their first court appearance. I actually can't believe I ever felt that way about children.
If I am interpreting your comment correctly then I think we are on the same page as Thompson/Venables . A few years ago i read a book that was written by David James Smith ( he was a local journalist at the time and now works for the Sunday times and has since won a few writing awards) . I learned about the book through a course I was on whilst in Uni. It is extremely well written - factual and gave a balanced view overall.

It changed my views of the whole situation - from how i thought about Thompson/Venables ( going from thinking they were the epitome of evil to that they were failed from the start). From parents to school to social workers to the media. They became scapegoats for system failings. I do not think they should have been tried as adults either. This did more harm than good. They should have been protected from the media and public opinion. A 10 year old is not an adult.

What they did was horrendous and i do not condone what happened . I have nothing but empathy for James Bulgar and his family. But at the same time i have empathy for Thompson & Venables who both had a pretty crappy upbringing which played its part in what happened to James.

The book i read > https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleep-Reason-James-Bulger-Case/dp/0571282709
 
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If I am interpreting your comment correctly then I think we are on the same page as Thompson/Venables . A few years ago i read a book that was written by David James Smith ( he was a local journalist at the time and now works for the Sunday times and has since won a few writing awards) . I learned about the book through a course I was on whilst in Uni. It is extremely well written - factual and gave a balanced view overall.

It changed my views of the whole situation - from how i thought about Thompson/Venables ( going from thinking they were the epitome of evil to that they were failed from the start). From parents to school to social workers to the media. They became scapegoats for system failings. I do not think they should have been tried as adults either. This did more harm than good. They should have been protected from the media and public opinion. A 10 year old is not an adult.

What they did was horrendous and i do not condone what happened . I have nothing but empathy for James Bulgar and his family. But at the same time i have empathy for Thompson & Venables who both had a pretty crappy upbringing which played its part in what happened to James.

The book i read > https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleep-Reason-James-Bulger-Case/dp/0571282709
Such a well written and thoughtful book, I’ve recommended it a few times on this thread.
 
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It changed my views of the whole situation - from how i thought about Thompson/Venables ( going from thinking they were the epitome of evil to that they were failed from the start). From parents to school to social workers to the media. They became scapegoats for system failings.
Absolute agree that these kids were not plain evil or born evil. I hate that kind of narrative tbh. You hear it a lot, and tempting as it is, I think it’s something people are driven to say because it’s easier to say “evil” than actually dedicate some thought as to how and why the kid ended up committing such an unspeakable act.

Some people might think this is more sympathy than they deserve, or looking for excuses. It’s not that. How can we say “never again” without exploring how it happened?

Even Axel Rudekubana wasn’t born evil. The truth is so much more complicated, and involves tit parents and rank incompetence from multiple agencies.

Also, the Nottingham inquiry is raising identical issues. Our systems are rotten to the core.
 
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Lover, Liar, Predator - BBC Iplayer

Another doc that has made me feel emotional whilst watching it. Tears rolled whilst listening to the 4 women's experiences .
what an absolute wankstain. Glad he was convicted - I hope they throw away the key as he is dangerous

Friends like these . The murder of Skylar Neese- Disney+


feel like this was aimed at a much younger demographic based on how it was presented to the viewer . Another doc where
the murderers blame being gay for their behaviour. This is a tale about 3 teenage girls and the old "2's company 3's a crowd" friendship jealousy. Zero remorse shown by one of the girls and the apology/ "remorse" that the other was giving off came across as insincere.
 
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Just remembered another true crime doc recently - The Toolbox Murders - Amazon prime ( but have spotted its on hayu as well ).
what a way to die. Horrific crime - and how they walked got out because of a technicality is shocking. The people responsible should be locked up for life
 
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Real CSI last night, another tough watch but good outcome, truly shocking.
Yeah, I was shocked at the end.

I like to think I'm very cynical but the reality is that I always try see the good in people. I thought he'd got drunk, was walking home from the pub and had a moment of madness. But he'd actually made a special effort to get ready and go out looking for something. Then you find out the history.

He actually wasn't a bad looking fella - early thirties, living with his parents, didn't say if he worked but he was so bleeping pitiful - he just came across as a bit of a loser who was down on his luck. But no, actually full blown paedophile.

It had overtones of the Anwar Rosser case to me - that's what was in my mind the whole time I was watching. This is a little known whole life order one and the sentencing remake are graphic so proceed with caution.


I had a look online, as I wanted to try and find out how he'd got into the house (did he break in or was the door or a window left open?) and how he knew the other victims (I suspect maybe he was in a relationship with their mother(s) at some point) but I couldn't find anything. I'm assuming they came forward following his arrest.....? He was only just sentenced this month as well (charged January 2025)

I can't see him lasting in prison. I was expecting to see a message at the end that he'd died in custody (suicide) I still think that will be the case.
 
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