Examining the Flaws of True Crime Narratives Lexi Nabor Eastern Arizona College Written Communications 102 Mrs. Ruiz February 22, 2024 Background True crime storytelling is a genre that delves into real-life criminal cases and the people involved in them. It focuses on the investigation, the suspects, and the victims, often exploring the motives behind the crimes and the impact they had on society. True crime storytelling seeks to uncover the truth behind these shocking and often gruesome events, shedding light on the darker side of human nature. Through various mediums such as books, podcasts, documentaries, and television shows, true crime storytelling captivates audiences with its gripping narratives and suspenseful twists. …show more content…
It can also shed light on the societal issues and cultural factors that may have contributed to the commission of the crimes. True crime stories can be both captivating and chilling, drawing in audiences with their suspenseful narratives and compelling characters. Additionally, true crime storytelling has gained popularity in recent years with the rise of podcasts and streaming platforms that focus on the genre. These platforms provide a platform for both amateur and professional storytellers to share their research and insights into real-life criminal cases, allowing audiences to engage with the stories in a more interactive and immersive way. True crime storytelling can also serve as a form of advocacy, bringing attention to unsolved cases or miscarriages of justice, and helping to generate public interest and support for further investigation or legal action. Past In her article "True crime media distorts our understanding of crime and the criminal justice system," Sarah McGrath argues that the popularity of true crime media has led to a distorted understanding of crime and the criminal justice system among the public. She
perpetrators, society as a whole, and the complete justice system. Amidst outrage, five African American and Hispanic teenagers - Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise - were wrongfully accused and convicted of the crime. Despite the lack of physical evidence tying them to the scene and inconsistencies in their confessions, the teenagers were unjustifiably convicted in a highly publicized trial marked by racial tensions and media melodrama. The convictions of the Central
Racism abounds in this case – from the nature of the crime to the handling during and after. In essence, the trial became a racialized arena, stretching beyond institutional boundaries to involve societal perspectives on Indigenous peoples as being less deserving of justice. Conclusions drawn from racial biases echo the systemic racism deeply rooted within Canada's judicial practices. Racism casts a long and distinct shadow over the entire narrative of the Boushie-Stanley case, the case revitalizing