At a homicide investigators conference in Las Vegas this week, there are several displays of many high-profile crimes. For instance, there are exhibits on the OJ Simpson case, Marilyn Monroe's death, Robert Kennedy's assassination, Sharon Tate's murder (and the other Manson family's crimes), the Black Dahlia murder, and a few notable shootouts. Included in these exhibits are actual evidence (a rope from Sharon Tate's murder, gloves from OJ Simpson's trial, etc), video footage and photographs.
This all sounds interesting; however, it is quite the opposite according to the victims' families. Maxwell Kennedy, Robert's son, calls the display of his father's assassination "part of a macabre publicity stunt" and "a cheap bid for attention" because they were displaying the suit that was worn by Kennedy at the time of his death. Debra Tate, Sharon's sister, says "A little warning would have been nice so we could prepare ourselves emotionally, ...It's part of the insensitivity the department shows toward victims. We're being victimized over and over again."
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and District Attorney Steve Cooley say they never intended to compound the grief of murder victims' families. They say they sought to depict the horror of homicide in hopes of deterring violence.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_oMgmSp4WdDuvbkginjpqkNb-3wD9E80TMG0
The Kennedy family complained about the clothing being on display, and the LAPD have since removed items that the family does not want to be displayed. Debra Tate plans on filing a complaint, but doesn't seem to expect anything to come of it.
This all sounds interesting; however, it is quite the opposite according to the victims' families. Maxwell Kennedy, Robert's son, calls the display of his father's assassination "part of a macabre publicity stunt" and "a cheap bid for attention" because they were displaying the suit that was worn by Kennedy at the time of his death. Debra Tate, Sharon's sister, says "A little warning would have been nice so we could prepare ourselves emotionally, ...It's part of the insensitivity the department shows toward victims. We're being victimized over and over again."
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and District Attorney Steve Cooley say they never intended to compound the grief of murder victims' families. They say they sought to depict the horror of homicide in hopes of deterring violence.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h_oMgmSp4WdDuvbkginjpqkNb-3wD9E80TMG0
The Kennedy family complained about the clothing being on display, and the LAPD have since removed items that the family does not want to be displayed. Debra Tate plans on filing a complaint, but doesn't seem to expect anything to come of it.
Yeah this is a really bad idea in my opinion. First they claim it's being done for educational purposes to deter people from killing? So someone has decided to shoot the president in the head but then see's Robby Kennedy's suit and goes "Wow, what was I thinking?" I think not. We do have to be careful about what we say "counts" as a deterrent. If it effectively deters then there must be a measurable effect. Putting pictures up all over town of murder victims could deter as well but its humiliating for the victim and those who know them. As soon as anyone who had any relation to the victims in this exhibit came forward they should have immediately shut it down. There are many more effective ways to deter criminals and putting OJ Simpsons Gloves, Sharon Tates noose, and Robert Kennedy's suit on display seems to be not one of them.
Where's the data in support of it? Even with the data is it causing more harm then good? Even if it is causing more good than harm, is it treating the victim and their families with respect?
I actually think it would be cool to see this exhibit, but I do understand why the families are upset. From the way it sounds, they were unaware that their loved one's items would be on display which understandably would lead to these feelings.
I can understand why they are using this stuff as an educational tool, but I think it may have been more education if the cases weren't so popular. People aren't going there to learn something, they are going there to get a glimpse at all of the stuff that they have heard about through the media.
Overall, I think it may be a good idea, but this incident was poorly executed and obviously not thought through.