Customer Reviews

The Murder Business: How the Media Turns Crime Into Entertainment and Subverts Justice

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Mark Fuhrman's "The Murder Business" deserves to be read by media hosts, media producers, media contributors, and media ethicists, as well as everyone who has ever felt compelled to follow a news story of a missing/murdered young person. It is a formidable contribution to the debate about media ethics, and the relationship between the media and law enforcement - what it is, and what it ought to be - based on Fuhrman's unique perspective stemming from his dual experience in law enforcement for 20 years and now himself a media contributor. As such, it weighs in with as much authority and insight as his bombshell of a book from a few years ago, "Death and Justice," about the death penalty. Ever wondered why it is that only a few, out of the thousands of missing persons each year, get the 24/7 "star" treatment by the media? Fuhrman lays out the answer: these vanished persons are deliberately selected by the media for their perceived appeal - which apparently means female, young, pretty, and white - as well as for their cast of friends and family who may provide plenty of entertaining TV segments; in other words, for ratings. But we rarely hear about the countless missing persons who, because of their age, gender and ethnicity, are not considered good story potential.

And Fuhrman points out additional issues where the media have been lacking in the ethics department: Media coverage should not obstruct the work of law enforcement or pollute a jury pool. At times the media spotlight has been so invasive and extensive that it has endangered the successful prosecution of a crime. At other times the media could have helped solve mysteries or kept public interest alive, but instead did little or caved in to political pressure.

Some people might ask how Fuhrman can be critical of media coverage of murder cases since he himself is part of the media, covering such cases for FOX News. But Fuhrman's book demonstrates how to cover them the way his professional experience has taught him is the right way: with a sense of ethics toward the investigation, collaboration with law enforcement, and responsibility toward the victim and his or her family - an approach that FOX has made possible for him to pursue in his investigative work for the news channel. Using some of the most high-profile murder cases in recent years as illustrations of shaky media ethics, such as the stories of Caylee Anthony and Stacy Peterson, the chapters quickly review the basic stories then reveal new details and treat us to previously unreported behind-the-scenes events.

Particularly riveting is the account of Fuhrman's encounter with Drew Peterson; and his comparison of a media journalist's disastrous interview with a suspect, with a genuine interrogation by a seasoned detective. These examples and others provide stunning insight into not only his own investigations, but also into the enormously influential powers of the media networks seeking to scoop stories before the others do. Inevitably, for those of us who have followed the O.J. Simpson criminal trial and read Fuhrman's own perspective in "Murder in Brentwood," the final chapters of "The Murder Business" are perhaps the most intriguing, and disturbing, because here we finally get to see, in print, the ugly story of why Fuhrman's partner, Brad Roberts - who could have been put on the witness stand, with the likely result of Simpson being convicted of murder - instead was excluded from the trial by the prosecution team, for self-serving reasons. A moot point now? Perhaps, but shouldn't we know how it really went down at an important turning point for U.S. jurisprudence? Thanks to "The Murder Business," we can now read the rest of the story.

Subtitled 'How The Media Turns Crime Into Entertainment And Subverts Justice', 'The Murder Business' is a very good expose of just that.

Written by longtime LAPD homicide detective Mark Fuhrman, this book clearly shows how the American new media is culpable in destroying the lives of innocents as well as virtually ensuring that some of the cases that are exploited in the infamous ratings chase will not be solved.

The author uses several high profile cases to make his case. Some of those include the following: Drew Peterson, Scott Peterson, JonBenet Ramsey, Martha Moxley, Vince Foster, and of course O.J. Simpson. One would have to almost be living in a cave to have missed the coverage of these.

Some of the appalling excesses by the media that are demonstrated here include the ways that the media creates national obsessions over their pet cases (he also shows a seemingly racist element in the selection of which cases to exploit), the way that the lives of those falsely accused and other innocent players are destroyed, and investigations are corrupted (even to the point that it will be virtually impossible to identify the killer).

One of the worst of the 'crime as entertainment' offenders profiled here is Nancy Grace. For those who are unfamiliar with her tactics, this section will not only be informative, but disgusting as well.

Mr. Furhman does not stop with identifying the problem. He also shows how the media types could actually turn their negative behavior into a big positive and help solve some crimes instead of hindering that.

This is an enjoyable read as well as being educational.

Mark Fuhrman, someone I have long admired, has written a fascinating book. However, it's fascination is not so much in what Fuhrman has to say about media involvement in crime investigation and how it hurts police work but in his candid comments about the crimes he has investigated--crimes that have fascinated the public. Yes, he is absolutely spot on in his assessment of the role the media plays, but he could have gone even further with this, citing the prevalence and popularity of forensics shows as an influence on juries, who think murder cases should be proven in a half hour, without commercials. Juries today come to a trial with their own set of skills in analyzing forensic evidence, thanks to shows like "Cold Case Files," "The First 48," and "Forensic Files." Fuhrman could have touched on this a bit, but no matter. What makes this book so enjoyable is his insight into the death (murder) of Vince Foster, the behind-the-scenes look at the Simpson case, and the very improbable scenario that an intruder killed JonBenet Ramsey. All of the stories presented in this book are fascinating, leading to the conclusion that Fuhrman should follow this up with another, and fast.

Heretofore, I have not read any of Mark Furman's books. I started with this one. I found that he writes in an easy manner so you can "get into" the book quickly. After having read it I am anxious to read his other books.

I have always been a fan of Dominic Dunn so will be adding more of Mr. Furman's books to my collection.

I have always felt Mr. Furman got a bum deal in the OJ trial catastrophe and if they would have used more of the evidence Furman collected they would have gotten a conviction for OJ. I am a legal eagle and watched every bit of OJ's "trial" and the stupid rulings that Judge Ito made.

This is an interesting short read. I read it in a day and 1/2.

A truly excellent book. Mark Furman is a shinning example of law enforcement. During a period where our leaders appear to make their own, self benefiting laws, Furman is a personal hero/ as this book attests.

LOVED this book, and how it brought to the forefront many facts and ideas that I had never heard before. A must-have for those of us interested in TRUE crime!

I was not certain I would like this book. I found two of the reviews here very helpful in making my decision to purchase this book. One was the Dr. Osunay's review, and the other Lisa Wangsgard's review (read her other reviews - she is very good at getting to the point). This book was filled with a glaring look at how the media is controlled by white, wealthy, socially powerful, and trashy people. Right now there are two serial killers, one on the west coast, one on the east, killing black women (one did kill a black man), and not much is being said about it. I would like to see this kind of journalism on other television stations. FOX is not PC - that's why I like it. They are willing to do and say the unpopular and un-p.c., while other stations are not. I also like that Fuhrman did not spend his time in this book saying he is sorry for the OJ fiasco. While he does point out errors on the OJ case by others, to re-cap his own would have been a waste of ink as he has already done this in another book and publicly. The reason I give 4/5 stars is because I felt this book could have been "more." At times, just when the delving and explanations were coming about various cases, I felt an abrupt end, then on to the next case. It was not poorly written. I just think there was more to be said. A great book to have in any collection.

This book addresses as it's title suggests, the business of murder, in all of its ramifications. Furhman's writing style is in my opinion uniquely clear, consise, and most of all, entertaining. I liked his previous books and this one as well. The analysis that he brings to a crime scene is logical, straight forward, and "common sensical". His descriptions of his interractins with Drew Petersen, and with the Greenwich police people is fascinating. As one of those who thought that the far out theories of the Vince Foster case were crazy, I have to admit that Furhman's line by line approach in his analysis of this case, makes me have to rethink my previous position. His arguments are indeed compelling. Really enjoyed this book

Great book---just not long enough! Liked his style of writing: easy to read, yet very detailed and informative. Would like to see more of his investigations placed into writing. He has a great style and, of course, the fact that he was such a dedicated and truly professional detective made for smooth reading that exemplified his style and determination. Quite personally, feel he is such an American tragedy the manner in which he was used as a villain when the true villain was allowed to go free! But what goes around, usually comes around.......as it did and should in the end!

The book is readable, interesting and provides insight into how the media and law enforcement (do not) come together for the benefit of victims who are missing or murdered. Fuhrman recounts approximately 8 recent high-profile cases and shows how the media actually interfered with law enforcement and justice. The book is actually more about the media machine and how they exaggerate events for ratings. Fuhrman's previous books have pretty much dug up cold cases and shed light upon them, but this book doesn't do that - the focus is solely on the media. I actually prefer his other books - he does seem to be a master at detective work and coming up with various theories; hopefully his next book will return to that. This book, however, is still enjoyable and informative and a worthwhile read. The one negative is that he actually ends the book by talking about the OJ Simpson case, his former LAPD partner, and the whole OJ media fiasco. I think the OJ chapter should have been at the front of the book, or even the middle. By placing the Simpson chapter at the end of the book it's the last impression you're left with, and it dredges it all up again - it's better left alone. Still a good book and he's an excellent writer.