Bryants case

Many people in the country take a keen interest in crime; however, they know relative little about the reality of crime and the countrys justice system. The publics perception of crime is not in line with the reality on the ground. Unlike in the Simpsons case in which the defense lawyers used race as a defense, the Kobe Bryant case focuses on his status
as a rich athlete with the white woman trying to extort money from him. Most of the airtime during the case went to the argument between the defense lawyers and prosecutor. Their arguments include the rules of determining evidence and effective witnesses. The media favored Kobe Bryant over the young woman who worked in the motel where Kobe was spending the night and is alleged to have raped her there. The media commentators referred to the 19-year-old girl as Kobe Bryants accuser. By referring to the girl as the accuser, the media subtly suggest she is not credible. The media helped end the case before it started by turning a major criminal case into a he said- she said case (Greer, 2009).
Elizabeth Ann Smarts disappearance
Brian David Mitchell abducted Elizabeth Ann Smart from her bedroom. After her abduction, her parents when to the media the next day and made a plea for the kidnapper to return their daughter. The only witness of the kidnapping was Smarts 9-year-old sister; however, her testimony of what happened was not helpful to the police. After her disappearance, the local people and police mounted a search lasting several weeks involving thousands of people. Also involved were sniffer dogs and trackers, however, she was nowhere to be found. Through the media, Smarts parents distributed homemade videos of their daughter and pictures when she was a child. This helped keep her in the media and in the minds of the residents in the area. Smarts younger sister eventually remembered the man who kidnapped her sister and with the help of a sketcher, the police had the first image of the kidnapper. Mitchell relatives recognized him in the sketch and contacted the police. They also provided quality pictures of Mitchell to the police and the media. A biker identified Mitchell in the woods and reported to the police leading to the arrest of the kidnapper and Smart return home (Orenstein, 2007).
Laci Peterson death and the extra media coverage
It is alleged that Scott killed his wife while she was seven and a half months pregnant. His sentence was first-degree murder for his wife and second-degree murder for the child. Scoot is now in prison awaiting execution. Imagine a scenario were a person is waiting for execution after his wife and child have been murdered in the house. This is how the media and the public should have considered Scott as guilty until after his wife and childs murder, however, the decision according from the media was decided from the beginning, Scott was guilty without even standing trial (Coté, 2008).
Theodore Ammons case
Theodore Ammon was a financier who was murdered in 2001 by Daniel Pelosi, the wifes lover. Near his murder, Theodore was near the end of finalizing a divorce with his wife. After the death of her husband, Generosa murdered his lover and later died of cancer later. The reason that Ammon murder was important to the media was partly because of the scholarship fund that he developed in Bucknell. He was a major community figure in the community he lived. He was a board member of an Art Society and YMCA. He was also a major dominator to charity as evident by the 1 million dollar donation given to Ammon foundation. Ammons was also a very famous person in the city. During his funeral, thousands of people attended his funeral (Greer, 2009).
Elizabeths Ann Smarts case
Elizabeth was the typical white woman. This dawn of reality to most of the people who had experienced crime in the district. More than one thousand people came out to search for Smart; she brought the whole community together in one common agenda, end crime within the community. A person searched for days, Smart was nowhere to be found. The community got a deserved break when a biker identified Mitchell from a picture he had seen earlier during a morning show. After calling the police, the man was arrested. Mitchell was later charged with rape and abductions. Mitchell was mentally unstable and obsessed with the young girl. The disappearance of Smart resulted in the community pulling resources together including money to help financial the search for the girl (Orenstein, 2007).
Judge Alfred Delucchi in Scott Peterson case
Alfred Delucchi is a veteran judge who has presided over more than twenty capital cases. Among these cases is Scott Petersons case, which attracted a lot of press attention. During the trials, the judge endeared himself to those involved. To ensure a fair trial for Scott, the judge relocated the proceedings to another courtroom at some point during the trials. Judge Alfred always had time for the interested parties in the case. During breaks, he would chat with the lawyers and media personalities covering the story. Although the judge argued with lawyers representing Scott during the recess, they have respect for him (Coté, 2008).
Factors that motivate media in the coverage of criminal events
There are many factors motivating the media in the coverage of criminal events but perhaps the most attractive factor is the cruelty of the crime. The extra press reporting surrounding Laci Petersons death proves this (Coté, 2008). The media also like criminal events involving rich and famous people, such as Kobe Bryant. The media also report on cases where the involved parties are highly motivated, especially in cases of kidnapping, such as the abduction of Smart. The media also likes cases that involve controversies, such as Scotts sentencing to death partly because he killed his unborn child. Abortion rights advocates were against his prosecution for this crime.
Depicted crime in the media and day-to-day crime on the streets
The media selects the most gruesome crimes for reporting. This creates an impression in the mind of the viewer that generates fear. The media paints a picture of lawless cities and streets with no help in sight. The criminal is inhumane, the police are always late, and the victim rarely survives. Even in cases that the victim survives, he or she is scared for life. In the real life, crimes happen less frequently and are less consequential. Most crimes are financially motivated, except in isolated occasions mostly involving mentally unstable individuals (Greer, 2009).
Michael Jacksons case
The first amendments guarantee press freedom, which is an important part of the American democracy. The six amendments assure that every American regardless of status has a fair trial in a court of law in front of a jury. For a person like Michael Jackson, his life a public affair with every aspect aired on television. In the 2005 case, Jackson is accused of molesting a minor in his 2,700-acre ranch in Neverland. The case starts when a documentary detailing Jackson life airs in both the UK and United States. In one scene, the Bashir documentary shows the minor holding hands with Jackson and at one point, the minor leans on Jacksons shoulder. The media interference with the case limited Jacksons six amendments rights because of providing a biased coverage of half-truths and subtle intentions that shape the opinion of the public and to some extent that of the jury (Greer, 2009).

 References
Coté, J. (2008). Alfred Delucchi - veteran judge dies at 76. Retrieved from: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Alfred-Delucchi-veteran-judge-dies-at-76-3292889.php
Greer, C. (2009). News Media, Victims, and Crime. Retrieved from: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/stout/greer_news_media%20-%20vic_crime_soc.pdf
Orenstein, A. (2007). Special Issues Raised by Rape Trial. Fordham Law Review, 76(3), 1585-1608