Nancy Grace Says 'Guilt' Likely Made Mother Commit Suicide

[underpants]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2448050&page=1

Talk Show Host Unapologetic About Hard-Line Interview With Missing Boy's Mother

Sept. 15, 2006 — Former prosecutor turned talk show host Nancy Grace is unapologetic about her aggressive approach to a mother who committed suicide after their televised interview about the woman's missing son.

Twenty-one year-old Melinda Duckett was the mother of 2-year-old Trenton Duckett, who has been missing since Aug. 27.

Duckett appeared on Grace's show on Sept. 7, and before it was over, the talk show host was pounding her desk and demanding, "Where were you? Why aren't you telling us where you were that day?"


"If anything, I would suggest that guilt made Melinda Duckett commit suicide," Grace told ABC News' Chris Cuomo.



10 minute discussion (Scarborough) here-Oh she ran this interview AFTER the woman killed herself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Xuej2IfPE

[Cerridwen]

1. How convenient for nancy that the woman isn't around to defend

herself.

:sarcasm:

[NC_Nurse]

2. F*CK Nancy Grace

and all the other talking heads who profit from others' misery.

[Fierce]

3. Hey Nancy? Go to hell.

nt

[itsrobert]

4. I agree

Sorry, but this woman was being evasive. It's sad she killed herself, but Nancy Grace had nothing to do with this woman's death.

[Connie_Corleone]

7. But the woman's attorney told her not to speak on certain things.

She told the FBI. She had no responsibility to tell Nancy Grace all of the details.

Grace may not be responsible for the woman's death, but she believes that people are guilty before proven innocent.

The police may never find out what happened to that boy because the mother is dead now.

[onenote]

33. then why go on the show?

I can never understand why someone would go on a show like Grace's, especially if they've been advised not to discuss certain matters.

[zreosumgame]

35. because nutsy Graceless and her producers lied to her?

offered her a chance to 'make a plea' to whoever took her son? it's not like lying has ever bothered nutsy.

[madmusic]

52. They "nurtured" her to death n/t

[AngryOldDem]

54. Ever hear of bait and switch?

If I had been the woman's attorney, I would have declined Grace's offer. But it's rather pointless talking about "woulda, coulda, shouldas" now.

I did not watch the show but the news article I read made it sound like Grace hounded the poor woman to confess during the entire interview. With Grace, it's always guilty until proven innocent. I think she needs massive psychotherapy to get over the death of her fiance, which is clearly driving her vendettas via cable. It just ain't healthy.

Having something happen to your kid is a parent's worst nightmare. No matter what happens, you most likely will always blame yourself, and you won't need anyone else piling it on. Unless Grace had specific proof that the woman was complicit in her son's disappearance, she just should have backed the hell off. But there I go with the "what if's" again.

[peace13]

9. The tone of this type of show undermines the fabric of our society!

We have too many righteous talking heads on TV.

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. Perhaps she REFLECTS the fabric of our society. n/t

[peace13]

31. You may be right

[qanda]

14. Why did Nancy Grace run the interview

Even after she found out the woman committed suicide? That's just disturbing.

[treestar]

16. She is not responsible for the woman's suicide, but that doesn't

exclude the co-existing fact that she is a shrewish bitch.

[TAPat]

5. Not to be rude...

but, I swear, that woman could drive ANYone to suicide. :(

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Judge, Jury, Executioner.

That's out little Nancy!

[peace13]

8. That is so rich! Thanks for the laugh! n/t

[Turtlebah]

12. *LoL* That's a hoot!

Thanks for that laugh.

[CatWoman]

19. OMG, Ronny!!!

:rofl:

[Richard Steele]

23. Nice one! No doubt you are familiar with this as well:

Separated at Birth?

[ronnykmarshall]

26. The poor cat

:rofl:

[melnjones]

10. Nancy Grace...

has hit a new low. I didn't know that level of low existed.

[Onlooker]

11. Send Nancy Grace your thoughts

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5c.html?24

[rodeodance]

17. thanks I will.

[rodeodance]

15. Trial by talk show--the new america. Guilty as charged by Grace.

[Wilber_Stool]

18. What a parisite.

What can you expect when there's no penalty for being wrong.

[zbdent]

20. Now, could that be called libel?

Does Nancy Grace have any proof of this person's guilt? She wasn't a "public figure" like Clinton ...

[Kagemusha]

24. The dead can't be defamed, legally speaking.

Else we'd have endless lawsuits

[zbdent]

55. Gee, whatever happened to "don't speak ill of the dead"?

Must only apply to Reagan and Kenneth Lay ...

[saltpoint]

21. Nancy Grace is repellent. CNN should never have put her badgering

mouth in front of a camera and a microphone, and having done so should now yank her from its schedule.

She's a mess and she's a menace.

[DU9598]

22. She should shut up ...

If she had any legal training she would realize that as she opens her mouth and spouts off she is increasing the liklihood that she will get sued. I am all for it! What Nancy did to this mother - regardless of whether it turns out the mother was guilty - is unforgivable. Nancy had no way to prove this mother was guilty and therefore her tactics were negligent. People need to turn her show off - if anyone was watching to begin with

[madrchsod]

25. can`t sue her

but the worse she gets even those who watch her will grow tired of her rantings

[LeftyMom]

27. any legal training?

She's a lawyer. Knowing what you're doing doesn't preclude being an evil bitch.

[global1]

28. Didn't Another Talk Show Host Get In Trouble For A Similar Incident......

Jenny Jones.

On 6 March 1995, Jones did an episode on "secret crushes", and with the cameras rolling, Scott Amedure told his friend Jonathan Schmitz that he had the hots for him. Schmitz laughed it off in front of the studio audience, but three days later he killed Amedure. The episode was never aired. Schmitz got 25-50 years in prison, and the producers of The Jenny Jones Show got sued. Amedure's family argued that the show's staff should have known Schmitz had a long record of alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, depression, several suicide attempts, and a thyroid condition. Not to mention homophobia. The show's producers were ordered to pay $25 million to Amedure's family, but that verdict was tossed by a higher court.

Not a suicide but a murder - but there are similarities in both these incidents.

However, it looks like the court threw out the case - but Jenny Jones ultimately lost her show. Maybe the same will happen to Nancy Grace.

[etherealtruth]

59. One can hope

"However, it looks like the court threw out the case - but Jenny Jones ultimately lost her show. Maybe the same will happen to Nancy Grace."

[William769]

29. Don't you mean Nancy Disgrace?

[KingFlorez]

30. I agree with Nancy

She grilled another woman awhile back about her missing daughter, but the woman didn't go kill herself. This woman that killed herself acted like she had something to hide about her missing child.

[peace13]

32. It is sad that you feel that way.

[951-Riverside]

38. I also support Nancy on this one.

Its unfortunate this woman killed herself but Nancy did the right thing by grilling this woman. I think the woman was depressed (for whatever reason) and murdered her boy then when she felt the pressure she killed herself. Its sad she had to end it this way and its even sadder that the family chose to blame Nancy Grace instead of seeking closure.

[madmusic]

40. "I think the woman ... murdered her boy"

Its unfortunate this woman killed herself but that's the way the cookie-woman crumbles. Nancy did the right thing by grilling this woman because the end justifies the means, and since she was guilty we saved a lot of trial money. I think the woman was depressed (for whatever reason) and murdered her boy because every depressed person murders. Then when she felt the pressure of Nancy Grace, who is not at all responsible, she killed herself. Its sad she had to end it this way but as a matter of principle I'm not going to cry over spilt milk, and its even sadder that the family chose to blame Nancy Grace instead of seeking closure, whatever the hell that means, but it sounds good and caring.

[951-Riverside]

41. ....madmusic

Just for the record you said it not me, I think its pathetic that you have to resort to such low life tactics instead of just saying why you disagree with me.

[madmusic]

45. I did say why I disagreed...

By filling in the blanks.

EDIT: BTW, I didn't mean that as a personal attack, as if you were actually saying or feeling what I added. The intent was only to point out possible logical flaws in your argument. Feel free to correct anything you think is wrong.

[KingFlorez]

42. I agree with all of that

[Raine]

64. Yeah, really

what kind of show did the woman think she was going on. What does anyone expect when they go on a show like that. If you go on Jerry Springer don't be surprised if you end up in the middle of a fist fight.

[madmusic]

34. Psychopath

Characteristics of Psychopath
(Sociopath, Anti-social Personality Disorder)

This is a fascinating clinical list. I leave it to you to apply these elements to any politician or talk show host you choose.

1. Glibness/superficial charm.
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth.
3. Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom
4. Pathological lying
5. Conning/manipulative
6. Lack of remorse or guilt
7. Shallow affect
8. Callous/lack of empathy
9. Parasitic lifestyle
10. Poor behavioral controls
11. Promiscuous sexual behavior
12. Early behavior problems
13. Lack of realistic, long-term plans
14. Impulsivity
15. Irresponsibility
16. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
17. Many short-term marital relationships
18. Juvenile delinquency
19. Revocation of conditional release
20. Criminal versatility (Hare, 1986)

(Narcissism also a characteristic)

"It must be remembered that even the most severely and obviously disabled psychopath presents a technical appearance of sanity, often with high intellectual capacities and not infrequently succeeds in business or professional activities for short periods, some for considerable periods .Although they occasionally appear on casual inspection as successful members of the community, as able lawyers, executive or physicians, they do not, it seems, succeed in the sense of finding satisfaction of fulfillment in their own accomplishments. Nor do they, when the full story is known, appear to find this in an ordinary activity."

--H.Cleckley, "The Mask of Sanity"

"Psychiatrists are often helplessly manipulated by the psychopath; just as are the psychopaths other victims."

--Dr. Ken Magid, "High Risk, Children Without a Conscience."

"There are psychopathic personalities in the highest echelons of government, and even within religious hierarchies in America. You can t just assume that a person with the title judge or hospital orderly got there honestly and won t manipulate the hell out of you."

--Personal communication from Psychologist Schreibman to H. Cleckley, 2/10/86

http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/psychopath.html

[suston96]

37. Typical prosecutor....

Prosecutors believe that they are supposed to get convictions - at any cost.

Prosecutors take oaths, like all others in the judicial system - to secure justice for all - the accusers and the accused - and most important, for the victims.

Too many in the judicial system forget what their functions really are.

[madmusic]

43. Too many...

You're right, there, but I don't think she is typical. She's rather extreme, in fact. Probably most prosecutors try to be fair and impartial and genuinely represent victims as "the people." They don't need use a phony voice to prove they care about victims. They don't need to manipulate the system. And they don't blame the system when they get chastised or overturned by higher courts.

However, one problem is the shift to the executive branch and the current lack of checks and balances within the system. That kind of absolute power can corrupt even the fair minded.

[truebrit71]

36. Fuck Nancy Grace.

What a steaming pile of shit she is....

[otohara]

39. Torcher Is So "In"

it's the way we do bizness here in the US.

Shame on this woman Nancy Disgrace

[Radioactive]

44. Nancy Disgrace should appologise

Instead of making accusations she can not prove the stupid cow. I watched the clip on YouTube and to say it was disturbing watching her shout this woman down is an understatement!

[mvd]

46. Grace has finally gone way over the top.

She should be fired for this.

[CBGLuthier]

47. I thnk that dead boyfriend of hers

jumped in front of the bullet rather than have to spend another moment with her.

I can be just as nasty as her :-)

[MrPrax]

48. Heartless people...

Some of the comments are sickening...

Um...here's a woman with a missing child being more or less told on national television by a respected public figure that frames her up for the murder of her own child, that is more than enough to pushover a woman, who's mental health is shot through and through with the most primal guilt a mother might have -- she already feels responsible and guilty enough.

A possible alternative scenario is that this woman figures that if everyone thinks she did it and she didn't, then that would magnify suicidal feelings expotentially. There are cases of suicide and attempted suicide among women who have simply had the misfortune of sudden death syndrome. You can tell them until your blue in the face it wasn't their fault -- it doesn't help.

As far as being evasive -- it's standard in any investigation for law enforcement to tell people don't give out prime details as it might effect any investigations going on...her lawyer would tell her the same thing. Especially if she is appearing on a show like this; her evasiveness and nervousness could be explained by her simply her trying to follow the stern advice of her lawyer and looking bad in the process.

Shit! The media can make anyone look bad -- remember Howard Dean...he was utterly destroyed with 6 seconds of taped sound.

It's amazing how many people will instinctly run to the defend the media cynicism and spectacle especially on an issue like this where they give the benefit of a doubt, not to the mother, but to some POS rightwing turd like Grace who has done nothing but take her own legal profession to the gutter.

What happens to Grace IF the boy or the body show up and it proves the mother didn't do it? That friends is an entirely different kettle of fish and I sure HOPE that the FBI don't see an easy way out and simply close shop and leave the blame on the mother's head, insteading of ensuring the public and all the other mothers' that there is NO predator lurking the area.

[KingFlorez]

49. Nancy isn't right-wing

She's a Democrat

[madmusic]

51. What do so many say that?

Because she donated $1000 to Clinton's campaign? What does that prove?

And even if she is a Democrat, she's the kind the wingnuts love.

[KingFlorez]

61. Self delete

[MrPrax]

57. Yeah she is...

and so what if she is democrat...

This story has my media attention at the moment -- as Colbert would say, "movin' on"...

'Dog' collared for jumping bail in Mexico

(CNN) -- Duane "Dog" Chapman, the self-proclaimed world's most-famous bounty hunter who achieved notoriety nabbing thousands of bail jumpers was arrested Thursday for allegedly jumping bail in Mexico.

U.S. marshals arrested the star of the A&E reality show "Dog the Bounty Hunter" at his home in Hawaii at the request of the Mexican government.

Chapman was wanted in connection with his highly publicized 2003 capture of Max Factor cosmetics heir Andrew Luster, who fled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after skipping out on a $1 million bail.

Luster was later convicted in-absentia on 86 charges involving drugging three women with the date-rape drug, GHB, and raping them. Luster is serving a 124-year sentence.

Chapman's son, Leland, also was arrested Thursday, as was colleague Tim Chapman, who is unrelated but considered a "blood brother" by Dog, according to the reality show's Web site.

Marshals knocked on the door of Chapman's home just after 6 a.m., and they entered the home after the unlatched door came open, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Jay Bieber.

CNN


:woohoo:

[sandnsea]

66. She's already done it to Richard Ricci

She didn't apologize for that one either. I don't care what her political leanings, she's the definition of shrew and emblematic of everything that is wrong in this country.

[Malikshah]

50. Guess we can't expect her to ever off herself then...

As the vile harpy doesn't believe in guilt when it comes to herself.

More's the pity.

[AngryOldDem]

53. What a bitch

I saw this in my paper yesterday and have been looking for a thread here about it since.

I wonder how it feels to drive somebody to their grave?

Way to go, Nance! :thumbsdown: :puke:

[Writer]

56. Write to CNN and FUCK THIS BITCH!

What a borderline sociopathic statement to make. What temerity! This bitch needs to be waterboarded until she's broken. I'll gladly do it myself!

[devilgrrl]

58. Nancy is the United States personified

Mean-spirited, arrogant, insensitive, cruel, etc...

[Ganja Ninja]

60. Wow! Crime busting Nancy Grace solves the mystery.

Keep telling yourself that Nancy. It'll keep you from blowing your brains out over what you've done you soulless bitch.

"Most likely" I don't suppose she'll bother to consider any other possible reason like grief over the loss of her child compounded by an ignorant media asshole with ice water flowing through her veins.

[Strawman]

62. I think the woman who said the producers were sensitive is full of shit

They certainly weren't sensitive to Elizabeth Smart

http://youtube.com/watch?v=am0uJkRSMNw

Disgusting. :grr:

Edit: Referring to the Scarborough clip on the OP.

[K8-EEE]

63. My Dad Calls Her "Whats-her-name...that hard-faced bitch"

I know not very nice but he has a hard time with names these days and I always know who he's talking about, he's good with descriptions!

[Skidmore]

65. Nancy Grace never met person she didn't consider guilty

and wouldn't change her opinion about them even if proven innocent. This woman has set herself up as prosecutor, judge, and jury for the nation.

[frogmarch]

67. Go ahead, Nancy haters...

Tell CNN she has to go. Then maybe CNN will dump her and give Glenn Beck or some other Republican asshat her hour.

Nancy's a pain in the ass more often than not, but she's a staunch Democrat and it was great watching her unleash her anger in the Katrina aftermath. "WHERE ARE THE FEDS?" she kept demanding to know day after day, when help didn't arrive.

But yeah, get rid of her. She's an obnoxious drama queen and had no right to ask Melinda Duckett if she'd taken a polygraph (she'd refused) and where she'd been shopping the day little Trenton disappeared, in case viewers of the show might remember having seen her and Trenton, and perhaps someone suspicious following them.

No matter that Melinda was giving police the runaround as well. Poor Melinda Duckett.... the mom who did things to little Trenton to make him cry into the phone during her divorce from the boy's dad, to make the dad agree to her conditions. Melinda Duckett, who told the boy's dad that if he didn't do things her way, she would do something to make him and a lot of other people very sad.

Yeah, Nancy Grace must go. She's nothing but a vicious Democrat who deserves to get the boot. :sarcasm:

[madmusic]

70. Great idea!

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5c.html?24

[mtnester]

68. She earned my complete LOATHING after what she tried to do

to Elizabeth Smart

Another devastating mark in St. Peter's book.

[zara]

69. She is a heartless gash. Nancy Grace. Disgusting self promoting shill.