Crimes So Disturbing They Changed Laws..

Crimes That Changed Laws

Introduction to Horrifying Crimes

• Investigators describe a gruesome crime scene involving a young girl, leading to significant legal changes in America.

• The murder of a 7-year-old girl by her neighbor prompted the creation of a nationwide sex offender registry.

• A brutal attack on a woman outside her apartment highlighted the need for emergency response systems like 911.

Case Study: Megan Kanka

• On July 29, 1994, Megan Kanka was murdered by Jesse Tendiquis, who pretended to help search for her.

• The shocking nature of this crime raised questions about how someone could harm a child so brutally.

• Tendiquis had previously been convicted of assaulting two girls but lived near children without any notification to the community.

Legal Reforms Following Megan's Murder

• The Conka family’s realization of their neighbor's past led to advocacy for public awareness regarding sex offenders.

• New Jersey passed Megan's Law just 89 days after her death, mandating sex offender registration and public notification.

• This law eventually influenced federal legislation requiring all states to maintain public sex offender registries.

Hate Crimes and Legislative Changes

Matthew Shepard Case

• In October 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered due to his sexual orientation, sparking national outrage and calls for change.

• His attackers lured him under false pretenses before committing robbery and violence against him that resulted in his death five days later.

Legal Implications of Hate Crimes

• The trial included attempts at using a "gay panic defense," which was ultimately rejected but indicative of societal attitudes at the time.

• Public protests following his murder highlighted deep-seated homophobia and led to increased advocacy for hate crime legislation.

James Byrd Jr.'s Murder

Overview of the Crime

• James Byrd Jr., an African American man, was murdered by three white supremacists in June 1998 in Texas; he was dragged behind a truck until death ensued.

Legislative Response

• Both Byrd's and Shepard's murders contributed significantly to the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, aimed at protecting individuals from hate crimes based on sexual orientation or race.

Lacy Peterson Case

Background Information

• Lacy Peterson went missing while eight months pregnant; her husband Scott reported her disappearance but later became the prime suspect as evidence mounted against him after Lacy’s body was found alongside their unborn child Connor’s remains.

Legal Outcomes

• Scott Peterson faced charges under California's fetal homicide law; he received life imprisonment after being initially sentenced to death.

• The Unborn Victims of Violence Act established legal protections for unborn children harmed during crimes against pregnant women.

David Berkowitz: Son of Sam Law

Overview of Berkowitz’s Crimes

• Between 1976 and 1977, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City with multiple shootings targeting young couples parked in cars.

Media Influence on Legislation

• After Berkowitz attempted to profit from his notoriety through book deals, New York enacted the Son of Sam Law preventing criminals from profiting off their crimes.

Kitty Genovese Incident

Details Surrounding Her Murder

• Kitty Genovese was attacked outside her apartment building while neighbors failed to intervene or call for help promptly.

Impact on Emergency Response Systems

• This incident led directly to improvements in emergency response protocols including establishing a universal emergency number (911).

The Impact of a Murder: A Cultural Reflection

The Crime and Its Aftermath

• On March 27, 1964, the New York Times published an article titled "37 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call Police," highlighting the indifference of witnesses to a brutal murder.

• The article suggested that urban life had desensitized people, leading them to ignore a woman's cries for help. This narrative became emblematic of societal moral decay.

• Subsequent investigations revealed that most witnesses did not recognize the situation as a murder; only two neighbors understood the gravity and chose not to act.

Psychological Insights

• One witness, Carl Ross, initially failed to call police after witnessing the attack but later sought advice from a friend instead of contacting authorities directly.

• This incident prompted psychologists John Darley and Bibb Latané to study bystander behavior, leading to the identification of the "bystander effect" where individuals are less likely to intervene in emergencies when others are present.

Legislative Changes

• The public outcry following this case contributed to calls for better emergency response systems, resulting in the establishment of 911 as a nationwide emergency number in 1968.

The Three Strikes Law: A Reactionary Measure

Polly Klaas's Abduction

• In October 1993, 12-year-old Polly Klaas was kidnapped during a slumber party by Richard Allen Davis, who had a history of violent crimes.

• Davis had been released from prison shortly before abducting Polly despite his criminal record. Public outrage ensued over his release and subsequent actions.

Legislative Response

• California voters passed the "Three Strikes" law in 1994 mandating life sentences for individuals with two prior serious convictions who commit any third felony.

• While intended to deter crime, this law led to significant unintended consequences including harsh sentences for nonviolent offenses.

Consequences of Overly Harsh Sentencing

Unintended Outcomes

• Many individuals received life sentences for minor crimes under the Three Strikes law; examples include theft or possession of small amounts of drugs.

• Critics argue that such laws disproportionately affected nonviolent offenders and did not effectively reduce crime rates.

Amber Alerts: A System Born from Tragedy

Amber Hagerman's Case

• Nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted on January 13th, 1996. Her disappearance sparked widespread concern and media coverage.

• Despite extensive searches by local authorities following her abduction, Amber's body was discovered four days later in a drainage ditch.

Creation of Alert Systems

• Diana Simone proposed an alert system for missing children after being deeply affected by Amber’s case. This led to the development of what is now known as the Amber Alert system launched in July 1997.

Victim Rights Legislation: Sharon Tate's Legacy

Manson Family Murders

• In August 1969, actress Sharon Tate was murdered along with several others at her home by followers of Charles Manson.

• Following these murders, Sharon Tate’s mother Doris fought tirelessly against parole for one killer which led her advocacy efforts toward victim rights legislation.

Legislative Change

• In California, Doris helped pass legislation allowing victims' families to speak at trials and parole hearings—an important step towards recognizing their rights within legal proceedings.

Consumer Safety Regulations: The Tylenol Murders

Tylenol Poisonings Incident

• In September 1982 , seven people died after consuming cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules purchased from stores around Chicago .

• Johnson & Johnson responded swiftly by recalling millions of bottles and redesigning packaging standards across consumer products .

Legislative Action

• Congress enacted federal anti-tampering laws following this crisis , ensuring stricter regulations on product safety .

Johnny Gosh: Missing Children Legislation

Disappearance Case

• Twelve-year-old Johnny Gosh vanished while delivering newspapers on September 5th ,1982 , prompting national attention regarding child abductions .

• His mother Norine faced challenges with local police who were slow to respond due largely due assumptions about runaways .

Legal Reforms

• As awareness grew surrounding Johnny’s case , Iowa passed legislation requiring immediate investigation into missing children cases suspected foul play .