Author and communication professor Dirk Gibson cites historical examples of how televised murder trial outcomes are influenced by media reporting leading up to the case, as well as throughout the trial process.
“I’d like to think that we’ve become more sophisticated. History is replete with examples of kangaroo trials – whether for racial, socioeconomic, patriotic or other reasons – certain types of people were not given the same due process justice as others,” Gibson said.
“It was easier perhaps in the past for the media to try to slant coverage or or against someone. But the basic fact here is that serial killers are never acquitted – they’re either not guilty of their crimes or they’re found not guilty by reason of insanity,” he said, adding that it’s therefore basically a moot point.
“Bad news and accusations are on page one, corrections and remedies are way back in page 7B, and no one ever sees them.” So the media does have tremendous power in making people think that whatever releases they’re getting from the defense or prosecution teams are true.
Addressing the idea of checkbook journalism, Gibson said the practice can be “a major, major factor” in the outcome of trials.
He cited the example of the Gianni Versace killing by Andrew Cunanan in Miami. “The photographer who got on the scene first was offering a photograph of Versace’s body – his corpse in the back of an ambulance with his feet sticking out – he was offering to sell it for $30,000 on the spot,” he said calling the selling of information and photos “a pernicious practice.”
Watch the full interview to also hear how serial killer celebrities can be turned into stars during highly publicized murder trials.
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