KSTP's "Psycho Killers" Story: About that Elephant . . .

KSTP-TV's investigative reporter, Kristi Piehl and her two (former) detective sources were on Good Morning, America today. In what is clearly a pattern, none of three offered further explanation about the large gray creature sitting on the credibility of Piehl's two-night story—I don't know what else to call it since it plays more like a ghost story than an investigation. This is the one in which she declared that a nationwide, multi-person ring/cult might be responsible for the 2002 death of young Chris Jenkins and up to forty other smart, athletic twenty-something males from coast to coast.

Piehl's series ran last Thursday and Friday, the first two nights of the May ratings sweeps period. At the risk of over-simplifying a story that appears to be ninety-nine percent suggestion and one percent bona fide, I watched both pieces and am still asking, "WTF? I need an explanation of how an organized cult of psychopaths operates, roaming the country attacking and drowning twenty-year-old men, albeit drunk ones. And while you're at it, what would possibly be their motivation?"

Minneapolis Police Department spokesman, Sgt. Jesse Garcia, says, "We worked with the two detectives [in Piehl's story], but they did not present any new evidence that we didn't have. They have a new theory. But they do not have any new evidence."

In Piehl's story(ies), the two former detectives insist they know enough to make an arrest. "So make an arrest," says Garcia. "What are they waiting for? If they think they've got enough, they should bring it forward. As I say, from our conversation, they had no evidence that was new to us or the FBI."

Talking from New York after her GMA appearance, Piehl said her two detective sources have not revealed to her either the motivation behind their theory of the national cult or who they think they should arrest . . . right now. What's more, says Piehl, "I don't want to know. My story is about their investigation. I totally agree that it is a way out-there theory that sounds pretty far-fetched. But it's not my job to say if they are right. I'm just reporting on what they think." 

What? She doesn't want to know? I thought that was where investigative reporting begins . . . wanting to know what in the hell is true. By that standard, I say there is a two-part sweep series "reporting" that I believe I saw Elvis and Jackie Kennedy canoodling on the Stone Arch Bridge. Or why not a reprise of this sweeps month's theory on the Jenkins case from Milwaukee station WTMJ last year?

"They've hinted at what it might all be about," says Piehl of her detectives, who let it be known on GMA that they are in need of money to continue their investigation. "But I don't know the details." She reiterates that what she does know is that, "they took four pieces of new evidence to [the Minneapolis Police] in March and were told that the detective in charge of the case hadn't looked at the file in eleven months."

Piehl says she is booked for Inside Edition, ABC's 20/20 has talked to her, and she is trying to work out the protocol in giving an interview to MSNBC.

As I said last week, the concept/theory of an organized homicidal plot with "juveniles and adults involved", as Piehl says, boggles the mind—and every rational instinct. I say if you're going to lay something like that out for general consumption (and promote it as though you are this close to a long-sought resolution), I think you have a responsibility—at minimum—to want to know if what you're "reporting" is true.

But then, based on the astonishing media credulity lent to the satanic cult/ritual sacrifice/recovered memory psychosis of the late eighties, the appeal of a theory like this is, sadly, explicable. Put another way, there's always an audience, a single digit ratings audience, for the most lurid explanation imaginable.

(Here's a link to a paper on the psychology of believers in satanic cults.)

And here's a link to an interview with New Yorker writer Lawrence Wright, whose book Remembering Satan —about the eighties outbreak—was a damn good read.   

Comments

[Jim Leinfelder]

The only thing more pathetic than the fact that this story saw air in this formerly venerable TV news market is that it is now getting national play on network television.

For some people, that still lends it credibility where none clearly exists. What's most tragic is that this young man's family's understandable need for a more acceptable narrative to their son's tragic death is being exploited by these private investigators and this credulous rube from Dayton, OH. This story shouldn't air on cable access.

LAMBERT: Even after 20-plus years of watching this stuff, this one amazes me.

[Luckyloser]

We know the name of the serial killer: Jack Daniels. He kills young white college aged men with shocking precision. No sign of trauma. He leaves authorities stumped. And families distraught with questions.

Ms. Piel and her detectives looking to start a business clearly missed basic statistics. Correlation is not causation. And four smiley faces do not a case make. In fact, if there were 'pods of serial killers,' as the detectives contend, it would be a phenomenon almost unprecedented in human behavior.

Theories can be fun. Note that Fox 9 actually did this same story two years ago. Believe it or not, without hysteria:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Sk29TArIE

The problem with KSTP's story is they promoted it as "busting the case wide open," "solving the case." I think not.

I feel sorry for the Jenkins family. It must be terrible. I wish them well on their journey.

And I wish Ms. Piel well too. Good luck on Inside Edition, MSNBC, and 20/20. And remember, we are what we do.

LAMBERT: I would have less of a complaint with KSTP's story if they would have included Ms. Piehl's disclaimer that the detectives theory is "far-fetched" in their promos.

[Dave]

All right Lambert, let me have it! Last week, I gave KSTP a thumbs up for part one of the story. Tonight I watched part two and will admit I was wrong. Your take here is spot on.

The second part is all about Chris Jenkins. It appears the Minneapolis PD admitted their mistake on that case in that 2006, so I don't get the point of rehashing it. Part one of the story made it sound like there was some smoking gun out there that would be later revealed. Nada and zilch in the follow-up.

Have you considered contacting KSTP and ask why they ran this?

LAMBERT: I'll wait another cycle or two.

[Jed Leyland]

Just as sure as the swallows return to the mission at San Jaun Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day, the TV sweep months mark the coincidental discovery of new evidence in the Ann Dunlop case, new suspects in the disappearance of Jodi Husentruit,new sightings in the Jacob Wetterling case, et cetera ad nauseam .
Resolution is never offered. The cases then grow cold again at midnight on the last Wednesday of the book.

LAMBERT: I get the sweeps imperative. What I don't get is not apparently even caring if what you "report" is true.
At least with the Huisentruit investigation, I had the distinct impression that the reporter had gone top every possible -- credible - source looking for leads, corroboration, etc.

[A Son of Mississippi]

I just want to report that I saw some UFOs hovering over Medicine Lake last night. Could there be a connection?

LAMBERT: My Elvis sighting is the queue ahead of you.

[David Hanners]

So lemme see if I've got this straight.... An "investigative" reporter doesn't want to know the thought processes, theories or findings of her two sources, and she just broadcasts their claims without any basic, well, investigation? Last time I checked, "who" and "why" where still part of the five Ws of journalism.

Her disclaimer that she doesn't want to know what their findings are and that her story is only about their investigation is perhaps one of the most astounding things I've ever heard a journalist say. I fear that without doing any basic investigation of the detectives' claims, the reporter and KSTP have become little more than p.r. agents for the former detectives. That ain't journalism.

LAMBERT: I'm real curious what "journalism" is here.

[jim leinfelder]

This Piehl woman's remarks amounts to one of the most astonishing self indictments I've read since Bertram Jr.'s last posting. Any random caller to talk radio has a firmer grasp on the basic tenets of reporting than this woman. SHe's throwing away what would be a much more accomplished career as a stenographer posing as a reporter.

What I'm waiting for here, Lambo, is how KSTP's newsroom management figured this empty sweeps report that in no way advances a long extant and half-baked theory of an unsolved crime could not only be aired with impugnity, but be so shamelessly ballyhooed and hyped and flogged within an inch of its tenuous life without leaving them exposed as utter and complicit frauds.

Forget waiting for a couple more news cycles. Get 'em on the phone.

LAMBERT: Demanding bastard, aren't you?

[Robb]

Thanks for providing blow-by-blow coverage of sweeps frenzy -- your daily accounts are important social-anthropology.

LAMBERT: A chip off Margaret Mead. That's me.

[Biotech Nerd Girl]

What I wanted to know was: how did they know it was a gang/cult driving a cargo van? Maybe it was mini van? Maybe it was a bunch of frat brothers driving around mooning people? And if they are so sure it was a cargo van, did someone see this so-called "cargo van"? Were the smiley faces all the same? In science--if this had been a "published piece" it would have been red-marked, lambasted and the note "do more experiments/research to back up your theory" would have been written on it. Keyword being: THEORY.

LAMBERT: It's an unusual story when -- after two nights (and days of hype) -- you leave it still asking every question you had going in.

[bertram jr]

Were all the other victims wearing Indian, I mean "Native American", garb?

THEN you'd have a real story!

Lambert, call me. I have a tip for you.

LAMBERT: What do I call you?

[Anonguest]

Thank goodness for some sanity in this whole Smiley Face Murders brouhaha! Until I read your blog I was fearing that everyone had completely lost all critical thinking and reasoning skills and become credulous boobs! Er, well, perhaps that's true anyway and this wretched rehashing of the Chris Jenkins/serial killer story just made it ever plainer!

LAMBERT: This thing is a case study ...

[Sandra]

so Minneapolis Police Department spokesman, Sgt. Jesse Garcia is telling two RETIRED cops to go make an arrest? (your paragraph 4) That Brian, is a WTF moment if there ever was one.

LAMBERT: I took Garcia to mean that if these two cops really think they've got the goods to arrest someone, they should lay it out and get it done. Obviously they haven't/can't do that.

[bertram jr]

Today, a male college freshman, originally from the Twin Cities area, was found dead in a pond in near Ithaca NY.

He had last been seen leaving a party, and was reportedly dressed in a costume as William Shakespeare.

Now, if it turns out there is a "smiley face" found nearby, I would say those retired cops may be on to something, instead of being on something....

LAMBERT: It worries me when you make sense.

[NervousRex]

Another howl is if one ventures into the online KSTP videos, and watches the reporters interviewing themselves about the story....I think it's here:
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S418341.shtml?cat=1&v=1
....suffice it to say, it's jaw-droppingly silly and uninformed. Is Kristi (Delta Delta Delta..Can I helpya,helpya,helpya) Piel, fer real?....meaning; Is she really this dumb, or just pimping herself?

LAMBERT: This is some kind of new definition of "journalism", "reporting" and "investigation".

[Gloria]

When I was 12 or 13, the county sheriff came to our church to tell us about the dangers of satanic cults.

In full uniform, wearing a shiny gold star on his chest, he told us about the pentagram he'd found spray painted on rocks next to empty beer cans near the Rum River.

He also tapped his finger on his gun as he explained, with a Grant Wood-like expression on his face, that Alice Cooper was able to become a rock star because he sold his soul to the devil.

It was awesomely funny then and I still love this crap now!

LAMBERT: It's funny and lovable as a goof. But irresponsible when presented as legitimate journalism.

[Robb]

Did you know that the smiley face was notoriously known as Rudy Boschwitz's tag and call-card! [screech-screech-screech!]

Call Piel, call the Minneapolis Unsolved crimes unit -- this goes way back, all the way back to Ann Dunlop and maybe further. Rudy, we're watching you. We know where you live! Plywood Minnesota! Panel vans... get it!

LAMBERT: Fine. Laugh. Let's see you drink a bottle of Jack Daniels and walk the Stone Arch Bridge.

[Jan Jenkins]

For 5.5 years, we have proceeded with fact-based information in finding our son, learning what happened Oct.31, 2002, and now, seeking justice for Chris and for dozens of young men brutally murdered. We are not grieving parents hanging on to a thread of information regarding what happened to our son. We are not desperate parents trying to put our son's killers behind bars. We have continually been open-minded enough to consider a bigger picture. Much data has not been presented to the public, yet. Certainly, people will believe what they want to believe. Let's look at results. What facts have shown that we are off-track of what actually happened Oct.31, 2002? What is true is that we've used common sense, consulted experts in various fields, and pursued the clearest path. For parents of a murdered son, our chosen path has been the one of most resistance: find the facts, bring in experts, remain open-minded, endure unimaginable abuse, and stay the course anyway. We hope our tragic story opens minds and hearts, and saves countless lives.
Jan Jenkins, Chris' mom

LAMBERT: I'll accept that you are who you say you are, and you have my condolences. But, with all due respect mam, what possible motivation would either the Minneapolis Police or the FBI have for not wanting to fully and finally resolve questions surrounding your son's death? Beyond that, have the two detectives confided to you the motivation behind this gang, and who this person is they say they would arrest tight now?

[Jerry Aldini]

I think you better tell Jesse Garcia at MPD to do a little better fact checking. I know those 2 guys. Gannon is one of the most highly decorated Sergeants in NYPD history. In fact, he received 2 Medal of Valors (highest medal)from then Mayor Guiliani. Duarte knows personally the President and Vice President of the union. I think it is foolish and irresponsible of Garcia to say "so make an arrest", yeah like two retired guys can make an arrest in another state, that's stupid coming from someone who is supposed to "say" the right things to the press, or even someone like you. Be careful who you hitch your preaching pulpit to!!

LAMBERT: So I ask you, if Gannon and Duarte are the pros you seem to believe them to be, why don't they drop the hammer on whoever it is they say they would arrest today? Either the MPD or the FBI would be thrilled to clear the Jenkins case, not to mention the 40 others the two cops say are connected ... and credit for busting it would go to your two guys and their new firm.

[Jenn]

I am so glad that you have thoughtfully and rationally presented this "theory". It seems to me that those involved with this case and now the general public have little knowledge of how the criminal justice system works. From what I have read surronding this case there simply is no way to determine how or why he died. I understand the family needs closure and is willing to do anything to find out what happened to their son. However, it is now almost six years later and there simply is no evidence! All of this supposed "proof" of foul play and possible serial killers would be easily debunked by any attorney--and it would only come to that is there was a suspect/enough for an arrest warrant. Any smiley face could have been there years before they even went missing or after they were found, tidal patterns and body positions could have been affected by thousands of variables during four frozen river months-- it is simply ridiculous to think that this "evidence" would even be admissable in court. I understand the family is grieving, but looking at this investigation it pretty much seems they have been looking for a way to blame this whole thing on the police. Hiring psychics and private detectives? I mean, what is even the motive for police to withhold evidence, etc.--its not like unsolved cases look good for them! Unfortunatly, there are thousands of people who go missing/die a year without any explanation. I doubt that six years later enough substansiated evidence will be there to give the family the closure they are so desperatly seeking.

LAMBERT: I'm always careful to use phrases like "a new low" when discussing local TV and a ratings period, but when you start screaming fire in a crowded theater like this -- trying to convince your audience that a cult of killers is roaming the streets without offering a shred of evidence -- well, it's pretty much all "up" from here.

[bertram jr]

Uh, you may want to see this:

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S434838.shtml?cat=1

[HB]

Remember Lambert, that creek is 2 feet deep!

[Jim Leinfelder]

Which creek are you referring to, HB? The brown one that KSTP finds itself up sans paddle for their baseless and hysterical fear-mongering on this credulity-taxing cells-of-serial-killers-preying-on-drunk-college men-across-the-country theory that lacks so much as a scintilla of actual evidence?

"Police said they had never seen this kind of graffiti in Ridley Township before." And what "kind" would that be? It's not exactly calligraphy. A crudely spray painted, one-eyed smiley face. Wow. Alert Quantico.

I reckon the crack team of detectives in that PA township never noticed the graffito before because it is so unremarkable and generic. It may well have been spray painted there well before the poor kid drowned. It proves nothing, which is the most consistent feature of this entire "investigation."

[HB]

A correction . That creek is 1,5 feet at its max depth.

Leindfelder - you are a tool.

[Jim Leinfelder]

HB: Gotta' love your "corrections." I guess you would be the exception proving the rule that brevity is the soul of wit.

For whom, in your alleged mind, am I serving as "tool"? You're the anonymously-posting apologist for this ludicrous pods of serial killers theory. And all you can scrounge up are alleged creek depths. They got wi-fi creek side there in the middle of nowhere, PA? One and a half, two feet, eh, either one's plenty of water in which to drown.

Get back to us when you've got something.

[HB]

According to Gannon & Duarte, they say that the graffiti is not their only evidence. By concentrating on other details known about the corpses they say they have uncovered an informant linked to the gang as well as a motive – although they have declined to reveal this.

Leinfelder, you r still a tool!

Credentials, biography of Kevin Gannon:
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S433345.shtml?cat=10830

[Jim Leinfelder]

Well, HB, seein' as how you still cower behind a blogonym, I can't get into your sort of ad hominem attack.

But until your boys, G & D start sharing their evidence as promiscuously as they do their wild-eyed and hysterical theorizing, I'll stick with my assessment that this is a lot of confabulating in service less to the truth and catharsis for those families than it is to the vanity of two retirees and the ratings of a TV station.

Like I said, get back to us all when you've got something, anything, than a tissue of baseless claims, son.

[HB]

smiley face update - may 14

"The detectives are following up on the leads they've received since this story broke. They got new evidence and new contacts. All the information they've received from the public is energizing their investigation."

"Gannon and Duarte have much more evidence that they aren't reporting. They say that the smiley faces are just one kind of graffiti they've found. People often ask why they aren't releasing everything they've got. They think it could tarnish any possible criminal case. Their goal is to get people arrested. Kevin Gannon promised the parents of the victims that will happen and he's working 6 days a week to make sure that happens."

whole article @

[link to kstp.com]

LAMBERT: I watched with great interest. More later.

[Jim Leinfelder]

The same claims of evidence, more promising leads, descriptions of the "investigators" moods, "energized" was it? But still NOTHING new in terms of real evidence, especially evidence that actually moves an official investigator to do anything but patiently nod. NOTHING that in any way advances this extraordinary theory. Zero. Zip. Nada.

So perhaps it would be wiser to refrain from these empty updates until the intrepid duo actually come up with something that can be reported, or, better yet, shared with the actual investigators, HB.

This reads like nothing more than so much desperate spin.

LAMBERT: And the highly influential and respected, (which is to say not yet indicted) Cong. Sensenbrenner's letter to the FBI has yet to inspire a new investigation. Very strange.

[HB]

Have you ever read the book "The Ultimate Evil" by Maury Terry?

Read it, and you ll get your answers;)

LAMBERT: David "Son of Sam" Berkowitz vouches for it, right?