Whether it’s the hit podcast Crime Junkie, catching up on Dateline or bingeing Netflix’s latest docuseries DAHMER, we cannot get enough of the true-crime genre. In 2020, police or crime-related content made up roughly 20 per cent of broadcasting on individual TV networks, according to the Hollywood Reporter. According to 2022 statistics, Criminal Minds is Netflix’s top-watched licensed show, according to Variety.
October 1st was Wrongful Convictions Day, and it demonstrated how crucial it is to reflect upon all aspects of the criminal justice system, not just the gory details of individual stories like Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer and Charles Manson.
“The fact that these things actually happened, these shows depict the mentality of the serial killer, it’s not like they just stab someone randomly. Seeing the mental process behind it makes it real and gives you a sense of reality,” explains Monica Mejia-Reyes, a fifth-year Carleton student currently studying philosophy and political science.
Of Spotify’s 13 most popular podcasts from 2022, Morbid: A True Crime Podcast, Crime Junkie and My Favourite Murderer are ranked among infamous podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience, The Daily and Call Her Daddy, according to Riverside.
Erica Johnson, another Carleton Student, describes what draws her to the crime genre: “I really like how informative it is and it shows you the different parts of the investigative process.”
One of the biggest problems with the true crime genre is the romanticization of these horrible serial killers, such as Zac Efron’s portrayal of Ted Bundy in the 2019 Netflix film Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile.
One of the positives that have come out of this true crime phenomenon are the reflections these shows and podcasts provoke their audience to consider regarding the various shortcomings of the criminal justice system. Particularly those stories that highlight the failures, mistakes and mistreatment of victims.
“You always feel sad for the victims and there’s always a bit of anger, especially if they were innocent or their death was preventable or trivial,” continues Johnson.
Crime Junkie, which is rated 4.82 stars out of 5 on Apple Podcasts, focuses on missing person cases and brings to light the lives of those individuals who advocate for their loved ones that are deemed missing persons or are found murdered under suspicious circumstances despite police refusal for further investigation.
Kelly Lauzon, a professor in the legal department at Carleton who has worked closely with the Innocence Project and individuals who are victims of wrongful convictions, recently collaborated on a brand-new podcast titled, Real Life Wrongs. Lauzon also formed the Wrongful Conviction and Injustice Association at Carleton.
“We’re just trying to bring light to the other side of the story. Because they’re not all happy endings. Not everything works as well as we would ideally like it to work. We’re just trying to draw attention to that,” Lauzon explains.
The Innocence Project launched its first wrongful convictions day in 2015 to raise awareness and advocate against wrongful convictions. As well, the day is meant to focus on discussing the causes as well as the remedies for wrongful convictions across the globe.
The Innocence Project is a group of 150 individual not-for-profit organizations that work to promote awareness, educate as well as exonerate innocent individuals through DNA testing and other forms of evidence collection. As of July 2022, the Innocence Project has helped to exonerate 239 individuals who have been wrongfully convicted, with 193 of these individuals exonerated through DNA evidence.
“The discussion of wrongful convictions is often left out of classrooms and policies, and the media to a large extent,” explains Lauzon who is currently teaching a course on wrongful convictions.
One of the biggest issues for Lauzon is the disconnect between what has happened and what can happen under the scope of the criminal justice system.
As Lauzon puts it, “These are real people who have suffered, like inordinate tragedies that, God forbid, none of us ever have to endure. But the reality is, it could happen to any of us, it can happen to anyone we know.”
It’s one thing to see an actor portray a real murderer and act out the murders they committed, but seeing it through the lens of a TV screen or hearing it through headphones while walking through a park doesn’t relay the seriousness or reality of the fact that these horrendous acts happen, continue to happen and could happen to virtually anyone.
Lauzon believes the solution to the problem of this true crime media vs true crime reality is knowledge and awareness. Especially in cases where a wrongful conviction or a wrongful arrest occurs.
“Knowledge is key, and the more you know, the better you can protect yourself against things like this. It’s just educating the public that they happen,” Lauzon says. “Know the signs –– if you’re in this kind of situation and maybe have an idea of what to do, who to call, you know what to say, what not to say.”
Canada’s major organization under the Innocence Project is called Innocence Canada. Their mission statement is as follows:
“Innocence Canada is a Canadian, non-profit organization dedicated to identifying, advocating for, and exonerating individuals convicted of a crime that they did not commit. In addition, we work to prevent future injustices through legal education and reform.”
To learn more about those individuals who are wrongfully convicted or to educate yourself further on the topic of wrongful convictions click here to visit the Innocence Project’s main organization page or check out Innocence Canada’s website here.