Staff Reports
In today’s climate of oversaturation with documentaries and true-crime specials, it appears that the justice system is now being influenced by what could be dubbed the “Netflix Effect.” The Menendez brothers, long-serving inmates, have recently been the stars of their own documentary series, sparking interest and sympathy in corners of the public eye. It’s as if having a special on a streaming service can now change the perception of one’s guilt or innocence. For some, these series create a platform for re-examining cold cases, but they often fail to account for the lifelong suffering of crime victims and their families.
As an audience, people are becoming numb to the real horrors these victims face. One commentator, Nancy Grace, points out that the idea of “closure” is a myth perpetuated by those who haven’t experienced real trauma. Families affected by heinous acts, like those linked to Bryan Kohberger, go on living in a constant state of grief and loss. Everybody seems to oversimplify the gravity of these crimes to fit into neat television narratives. It’s not just about putting a criminal away; it’s about acknowledging the pain that endures forever for those left behind.
The real head-scratcher is how so-called experts think prison will somehow take care of these criminals. Some commentators glibly remark on the unpleasantness of prison life, assuming that it’ll be a deterrent or a form of justice. The Constitution doesn’t ask us to rely on other convicts to hand out justice. That responsibility lies with the legal system. When certain pundits suggest a kind of under-the-table justice, it’s clear they’ve forgotten why laws exist in the first place.
Then there are the courtrooms where victims’ family members are brave enough to confront monsters like Kohberger face-to-face. They ask pointed questions not to seek closure, but to perhaps understand what led to such tragedies. Kohberger, in particular, has been compared to an emotionless creature, only reinforcing why such characters will never express remorse. Responses from these offenders are as underwhelming and cold as one might expect, and yet there is a nervous anticipation, a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, they will show an ounce of humanity. But, let’s be realistic – that’s about as likely as your pet lizard learning to recite the Constitution.
To compound the frustration, some are predicting Kohberger might follow the Menendez brothers and end up being the star of his series. After all, fame is the currency of today’s media, and even a courtroom villain can become a household name overnight. Some say these criminals may even find a way to address people virtually, thanks to the wonders of technology. What’s next? Virtual seminars on how not to be a law-abiding citizen?
Ultimately, justice truly lies in ensuring these stories don’t glamorize criminals but rather serve as constant reminders of the pain and suffering caused. Families lose loved ones forever, and no amount of media attention can ever replace what they’ve lost. As a society, perhaps the goal should be to care more about the victims and less about the sensationalism that sometimes seems to turn criminals into stars. Maybe it’s time to reconsider where the focus should truly lie.
