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

by Mark Fuhrman

Book Overview

Crime stories fascinate the public. But between factual news stories, overblown "human interest" reports and salacious murder mystery expos s, it's difficult to tell where news ends and entertainment begins. Mark Fuhrman, best-selling author of Murder in Brentwood, explores this fine line and how it is increasingly being crossed, revealing new and shocking details on such highprofile cases as JonBenet Ramsey, Martha Moxley and Chandra Levy...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596985844
• ISBN13: 9781596985841
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The Murder Business by Mark Fuhrman

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 Murder Business

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.

The Murder Business

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.

The Media Angle Isn't Even the Best Part

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.

Media Ethics 101: A Compelling Read

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 o