Charged with a Serious Crime? You Need a Public Relations Crisis Management Expert

Los Angeles, CA— We’ve seen time and again how a media-created narrative can have a decisive impact on a jury’s verdict. If the media sows doubt, you have a chance. If they condemn you, you’re likely finished.

But wait! Jurors are instructed to avoid media coverage, right? In reality, judicial admonishments are often ignored, and jurors regularly turn to Google to dig up information. The percentage of jurors violating these rules is alarmingly close to 100%.

Some defense attorneys seek media attention not necessarily to help their clients but to elevate their own careers. Take the Scott Peterson case, for example. What could have been a routine murder trial in Modesto, California, turned into an international sensation, largely because Peterson’s defense lawyer courted publicity.

Scott Peterson wasn’t convicted by the evidence alone but by the loud commentary of media personalities like Nancy Grace. Grace capitalized on Peterson’s deceptive behavior and infidelity to paint him as a villain, influencing the jury’s perception. Even now, no medical expert can definitively state how Laci Peterson died. There’s no certainty that she wasn’t a victim of something other than murder.

Recently, we’ve witnessed a shift in the narrative surrounding the Menendez Brothers, influenced by a couple of documentaries and a new wave of media coverage.

The case of Ohio osteopath Sam Sheppard was one of the first where media manipulation played a significant role. Sheppard was crucified in the press, swaying the public and jury to see him as a murderer despite shaky evidence. Years later, a German woman who became romantically involved with Sheppard mounted a media campaign proclaiming his innocence, attracting the help of famed attorney F. Lee Bailey. The resulting shift in media narrative ultimately helped secure Sheppard’s freedom.

These examples show the incredible power the media holds in shaping public opinion and controlling the thoughts of their audience. Many of us like to believe we’re immune to this kind of influence, but that’s far from true. The media doesn’t always tell the truth, and when they don’t, we are at risk of being manipulated.

That’s why totalitarian regimes, whether communist or fascist, always prioritize seizing control of the media. It’s the first step in their systematic brainwashing of the population.

Our legal system needs to recognize its responsibility to shield the accused from the media’s overwhelming influence. Juries should be sequestered more often, and change of venue requests should be granted more liberally. While these measures are expensive, they are less costly than the price we pay for wrongful convictions.

At 1:30 PM Pacific Time today, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is expected to announce his intention to release the Menendez Brothers. Facing a tough reelection fight, this appears to be his final Hail Mary to satisfy both the public and the media. Time will tell if I’m right.