Worthwhile Victims

Recently, I watched a special titled "In the Shadow of Laci Peterson." It was about several pregnancy crime victim cases that occurred in the same time frame as the infamous Laci Peterson case. As a bit of a crime media observer, I'm also interested in the intersection of race, class, victimology and media coverage.  Who are the victims they chose to shine the spotlight of the media upon and the impact of that glare in the likelihood the case will be solved.  I remember all of the media coverage of the Peterson case and Natalee Holloway and I am always struck by the victims that are never seen. The faces never constantly splashed across the headlines of magazines.

I am sure this is a topic I will revisit in future posts. This topic was swimming around in my head and i just wanted to share, dear reader.

Mommie Dearest

Back in the day, I watched Nancy Grace religiously.  Then the Casey Anthony case began and I lost interest.  The wall to wall coverage of every mundane fact made me realize she might just be the "ambulance chaser" as critics have long espoused.  And then came Investigation Discovery, the channel that makes my casual criminologist's heart soar.  One episode of the Wicked Women series was called "When Mothers Kill" or something along those lines.  It was fascinating to say the least.  Yet there has never been a show devoted to daddies killing.  Is it because Mommy is the nurturer and society cannot imagine a woman not loving her children, or *gasp* not wanting them.  I am in no way making light of women who coldly, viciously murder their children, I just wonder why it is a phenomenon that must be singled out?  Everyone is not meant to have children. That goes for men and women.