fact or fiction
Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about copycat killers, eyewitnesses testimony, what makes a murderer and more.
Creeper at work
From September 2014 - December 2016, I worked at The Home Depot. For the last year I worked there, plus even some time after I had quit, there was one employee that worked there that scared the living shit out of me and I was actually terrified of. For the sake of this story, we will call him Eric, but please note, this is NOT his real name.
By Jo. Schmidt6 years ago in Criminal
Broken Windows Theory. Top Story - November 2019.
In the 1980s crime in New York City had reached almost epidemic proportions. Apparently, New York was suffering by increased immigration and as a result a much younger population and, added to that, New Yorkers were hit hard by welfare cuts. It wasn’t safe to travel the subway and you would be advised not to go to certain areas, particularly after dark. Yet, by the end of the 1990s the city had cleaned up its act and saw a dramatic fall in the rate of crime.
By Charles Leon6 years ago in Criminal
Child or Not?
I'm sure you have seen the news about Natalia and how there is a big debate about whether she is a teenager or a grown woman. Before I saw The Dr. Phil Show I kept flipping over in my mind; she's a child, not an adult. After watching Dr. Phil, I still keep arguing with myself. I don't understand how a 16-year-old girl could say she's never had a period; that seems a little odd to me. Could any conditions delay puberty by that much? It seemed to me when doctor Phil asked about her previous families, Natalia was maybe willfully holding back specific details. Like when her former foster mother said she couldn't do it anymore after Natalia broke her siblings' arm. It would seem to me that maybe she does have past of aggression, and perhaps that's why she could not make it work with other families. I felt that Natalia looked older than 16 in presenting herself older than 16. Now I know that some teenagers appear to be older than they are because of life experiences. Still, there's usually a personality flaw that tells their age. And I did not see that in Natalia's case, but I am no expert by any means. I think perhaps Natalia's appearance may have hurt her in the long run on The Dr. Phil Show.
By Yvonne Knight6 years ago in Criminal
"Talking Star: 'The Star Report’”
Star shines at the outset of the show with a question about squabbling in a mall. Mr. Torain wants to know who assisted the young woman to the mall. He also wants to know if there is a heterosexual adult mixer down in the Atlanta area. The other topic includes Steve Harvey’s daughter Lori Harvey, who allegedly tried to flee from the scene of a collision. Some guesswork comes into play on Star’s part as he says that Harvey must have said about his daughter that “God will handle this.” Mr. Torain would like to know if Lori tweaked on a substance prior to getting behind the wheel. He declares the exit of Bucwild from the rehabilitation “program” a “nightmare.”
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in Criminal
Suicide Square (Pt. 4)
~ Chapter Seven ~ I’m driving now; the powerful reverberation of the 365 hp, 460 cubic inch engine stuffed under the hood of the Lincoln and the winding leaf and snow littered roads of south central Massachusetts, cold, dark, and vacant; provides brief, sporadic moments of quietude as the memories of the chaotic events that occurred earlier in Auburn quickly fade, only to be overwhelmingly replaced and drowned out by the deafening clamor of a mind possessed by an ungovernable rage, a rage that rises up within me without warning like volcanic bile. A rage inspired by very particular life experiences and behaviors, and which took on a life of its own. Toxic, unimpeded, and unhindered, my rage easily and quite readily transfers from one thought to the next, from topic to topic and ultimately from person to person; impacting all relationships with others. My rage is a highly skilled and masterful predator. I am the meal on which it insatiably feeds; it is the overwhelming and oft times devastating burden I place upon others. Critical, judgmental and extremely protective of me, it manifests itself in a variety of forms; from abject emotional, verbal, and physical violence to sheer inner terror and unsurmountable panic, anxiety, and stress. Ultimately and eventually, it subsides into a profound and profuse state of shame and guilt over being in such an untenable and uncontrollable mental condition and a great sadness over what it all means.
By J.K. Chenevert, BSCJ, CPS6 years ago in Criminal
Suicide Square (Pt. 3)
~ Chapter Four ~ “Suicide Square,” in its day, was a remarkable cacophony of engineering idiotcracy that was a true sight to behold, never mind attempt to maneuver across safely. Imagine, if you can, six intersecting streets consisting of: a freeway on ramp, a freeway off ramp, two major arteries and two secondary streets all converging, intersecting, like knife slices in a pie, into this kind of free-for-all, demolition derby-like madness called Kelly Square. No signs, no traffic lights, no islands, no rotaries, no directions, no suggestions… just fucking drive… or don’t… but if ya don’t, you are liable to get plowed into or run the fuck over, so just drive… and pray, if you are so inclined. My mom, back in the day, closed her eyes and floored the goddamn gas to get from one side to the other… no shit. She scared the living shit out of me every time she drove, truth be told. And it was here… at ‘Suicide’ Square… I decided in a flash of highly questionable genius or not so questionable stupidity, where I intended to lose those two Worcester cops, at about 80 mph or so… and for a brief second, I wondered… do they have the balls to try the same thing?
By J.K. Chenevert, BSCJ, CPS6 years ago in Criminal
What Was the Satanic Panic?
If you watch the news, you'll see no shortage of ridiculous things Americans believe. A number of people still believe former President Barack Obama is actually a Kenyan-born foreigner, despite producing a legitimate US birth certificate. There are large portions of the population who believe modern vaccines will cause children to develop autism, despite the only study that made such a claim being discredited, the author having his medical license revoked, and the CDC confirming there is no link. There are Americans who believe they've seen angels, Bigfoot, and unidentified flying objects.
By Neal Litherland6 years ago in Criminal
Four Explanations to Why People Are Obsessed with Crime
With every new true crime documentary release, there seems to be more and more people becoming obsessed with understanding criminals. The more twisted the stories are, the more intrigued viewers are watching the events unfold.
By Britney Clayton7 years ago in Criminal
Street Gangs
A gang can be described as a group of individuals who are in close relations with leadership and internal organizations which claim to control certain geographical region in a particular community. There is no given leader, but the leader is assumed to be the person who takes command of the activities in demanding situations. The gangs engage in violent and illegal activities either in groups or individually. When one wants to join a gang, he/she has to be "jumped in," which is a way of proving his loyalty to the gang. Joining a gang involves acts such as stealing something that one is told, engaging in violence, or even being beaten for a particular period of time. Research shows that although street gangs exist throughout the world, they originated from the United States of America.
By Jessica Sanders7 years ago in Criminal
