Most Annoying True Crime Show Fan Comments On Social Media

Ok not sure where to put this but an article about Unsolved Mysteries and similar shows mentions America's Most Wanted as a show that did good but "also managed to get a lot of people profiled despite the fact that they were found innocent later on."

www.tvovermind.com/tv-news/shows-like-unsolved-mysteries

Even someone edited America's Most Wanted's Wiki page to complain about suspects later being found innocent: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Most_Wanted

First of all:

1. The show profiled THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of fugitives. It was a mathematical impossibility that every single suspect would be found guilty once caught! The point is these fugitives were accused of serious crimes and fled rather than fight their charges. Perhaps some had good reason to flee. Nevertheless, AMW simply profiled the cases. It was up to the U.S. jury system, although flawed, which is/was still better than other countries to ultimately determine guilt or innocence.

2. Being found not guilty does not mean the defendant is actually not guilty! Sometimes the jury acquits the defendant because they truly believe the defendant is innocent, but often the jury feels the prosecution simply did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. (This may be a controversial opinion of mine but I believe not guilty was the correct verdict in the Casey Anthony trial. She was probably responsible for Caylee's death in some way but unfortunately the prosecution's case did not present evidence beyond a reasonable doubt). And of course, sometimes a defendant just simply gets away with it.

3. Everyone is innocent. Don't you know that? Sorry had to get a Shawshank reference in there. (Morgan Freeman's recent controversies notwithstanding).


AMW did a lot of good, and I even created an Innocent Project section on our forum for those wrongfully convicted, but I'm tired of the crap they get for the like 5 percent of suspects that turned out to be "innocent."

Also wanted to add that AMW also profiled Lawrencia "Bambie" Bambenek despite John Walsh thinking she was innocent so there could be resolution in the case, not because they were gung-ho about capturing her. Walsh spoke up for her and advocated that he thought she was innocent after her no contest plea deal. And of course, they devoted an entire hour to Dale Helmig to try to prove his innocence.

Also, whoever edited Wikipedia complains Walsh never apologized or issued a retraction for suspects being found innocent. Why should he? If he believed they simply got away with it, there was no need him to retract. And aa you said, AMW simply profiled the case and what was alleged.

And finally, whoever edited Wikipedia complained about the time Walsh said "let's get these scumbags" without mentioning the presumption of innocence for the post-9/11 most wanted terrorists episode. Oh what a horrible man for not stressing the people who committed the worst mass murder in United States history were technically innocent! Ugh.

Perhaps little or no chance, but I think AMW as a true crime show that advocated for victims of crime, they pretty much HAD to do a show once 9/11 happened, Dubya's request or not. You can't on your first show back on air (or one of your first shows back on air) since the attacks not address the attacks and people wanted for them, snowball's chance in hell or not. I think pakman said they actually did somehow almost capture one of the 22 MW terrorists as well.

Nevertheless, at least we're both in agreement it wasn't John Walsh's responsibility to vouch for terrorists' presumed innocence.

He said it (on the old amw forums I think) I just forgot which one.

Made a four paragraph post on The Hunt/In Pursuit Facebook page explaining once again although we are more than willing to help we are only a fan page and not John Walsh.

The VERY first reply was "Thank you God bless you Mr. Walsh!" LOL.

So I removed our unofficial fan page for The Hunt and In Pursuit on Facebook a month or so ago. I mentioned in the past the only reason our site had a Facebook presence was I unsatisfied with the social media coverage on Facebook when John Walsh's show primary show was The Hunt. There was no official "The Hunt with John Walsh" page and it was limited to CNN and Mr. Walsh's status updates while any other presence did not update enough and/or alread inaccurate information.

However it became too annoying as much as I love you guys everyone on Facebook are not always the true fans of the show, a lot of nutjobs messaged me and a lot of people kept messaging me asking "John Walsh" for help despite the numerous disclaimers that we were not the actual show and the title of the page being "The Hunt with John Walsh- Unofficial, not actual show." And then somehow they'd get upset when I told them I wasn't John Walsh like it was my fault for their lack of reading comprehension. (I was still willing to help them despite not being John Walsh, but some would get upset).

Thankfully In Pursuit having it's official page gave me an excuse to take us off Facebook which was additional unnecessary stress I didn't need. The site still has a presence on Twitter which I feel is calmer and more laid back.

Just wanted to comment because I saw someone comment on In Pursuit's OFFICIAL Page- how do we know if this is the actual show?

So in summary- my page puts UNOFFICIAL in the title, in our default away messages and numerous postings, and people still think we're John Walsh.

John Walsh's ACTUAL show with postings and official videos from John and Callahan comes on Facebook and someone accuses it of being a fake page

You've got to be kidding me. Damned if you do...

This is exactly what I said in general discussion although I did say itborobably belongs in this thread lol. But I'll repeat what I said there and that is that what John Walsh did was give credibility to the show as a public victims advocate and his assurances that you could remain anonymous and talk to their operators who were not law enforcement. which in turn got viewers to tune in every week and want to help catch bad guys.

It is a team effort, law enforcement does. a great job at tracking down fugitives from the show based on viewers tip and the viewers help tremendously.

But John Walsh himself is also a large part of AMW et al's success just by being who he is.