Thomas M. Jacobson, the former Milwaukee attorney who represented eight of the families of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims, took issue with the 13 nominations for the Ryan Murphy-created Netflix limited series “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” following the Television Academy’s announcement of this year’s honorees on Wednesday.
Speaking to TheWrap, the lawyer said that giving awards to shows like “Dahmer” “contributes to exalting or desensitizing violence and crime in society.
“By celebrating and rewarding these performances, there is a risk of normalizing the actions of people like Dahmer, which could desensitize the public to the real-life consequences of violence,” Jacob wrote.
“Dahmer” earned 13 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for Evan Peters, who played Dahmer, Outstanding Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins) and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Niecy Nash-Betts). The show also received a nomination for Best Limited Series or Anthology Series.
“In a violent society like America’s, it is essential to question the morality of profiting from true crime stories that exploit the suffering of victims and their families,” Jacobson added. “The entertainment industry, including award shows, can influence public opinion and shape social values. With influence comes the moral responsibility to consider the potential consequences of the content they produce and reward.
“It’s essential to ask if awarding shows like the ‘Dahmer’ series aligns with the larger goal of fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society,” he said.
“Dahmer” was a huge success for Netflix since its release in September 2022. After representing eight of the 11 families of victims after Dahmer’s trial in 1992, Jacobson worked so that neither Dahmer nor his estate could benefit from his benefits. crimes. He has been a vocal opponent of Murphy’s show since before it premiered.
Murphy previously said that the production of the show contacted the families of the victims and received no response (although many relatives and friends have said publicly that no one involved with the show tried to contact them).
“Failure to notify or involve the families of the victims in the production of such programs demonstrates a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards those directly affected by the crimes,” Jacobson said in the statement. “It ignores the potential re-traumatization or distress these families may experience seeing their tragedies re-enacted for public consumption.”
Read Jacobson’s full letter to TheWrap below:
This message has been edited for style and clarity.
The Television Academy Emmy nominees were announced this morning. Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” has been nominated for 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series (Evan Peters as Dahmer), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins ), Best Supporting Actress (Niecy Nash-Betts), and a nomination for Best Limited Series or Anthology Series.
In a violent society like America’s, it is essential to question the morality of profiting from true crime stories that exploit the suffering of victims and their families. Giving Emmy Awards to programs like the Jeffrey Dahmer series contributes to exalting or desensitizing violence and crime in society. By celebrating and rewarding these performances, there is a risk of normalizing the actions of people like Dahmer, which could desensitize the public to the consequences of violence in real life.
The entertainment industry, including award shows, can influence public opinion and shape social values. With influence comes the moral responsibility to consider the potential consequences of the content they produce and reward. It is essential to ask whether awarding shows like the Dahmer series aligns with the larger goal of fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society.
The Dahmer series sensationalized and benefited from the insatiable appetite of true crime aficionados for gore and the grotesque without considering the feelings and obtaining the consent of the families of the victims before their exploitation. By profiting from the suffering and pain of others, this show prioritized profit and entertainment value over the emotional well-being and privacy of the victim’s loved ones.
The failure to notify or involve the families of the victims in the production of such programs demonstrates a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards the people directly affected by the crimes. It ignores the potential re-traumatization or distress these families may experience seeing their tragedies re-enacted for public consumption.
The production and distribution of true crime programs carry ethical responsibilities. It is crucial to engage with the families of the victims, show respect for their experiences, and seek their consent and input whenever possible. Advance notice, input, and compensation for cooperation can allow families to make informal decisions about their participation and ensure the right to privacy and dignity after a tragedy. By not seeking their participation or consent, this program violated those rights and further exploited and exacerbated the emotional baggage they already carry.
There are alternative approaches for Netflix and Ryan Murphy to produce future true crime narratives that prioritize ethical considerations. Some suggestions are collaboration with the families of victims, compensation, providing a platform to share your experiences and perspectives, and advance notice.
Criticizing the morality and ethics of awarding Emmys to actors for portraying not only the serial killer but also for cloning Rita Isbell, a member of the victim’s family, can be a complex and subjective matter. The choice to reward actors for their performances in roles such as Jeffrey Dahmer, a real-life serial killer, and Rita Isbell, a real-life relative of the victim, could be seen as a form of sensationalism that exploits suffering. of victims and their families for entertainment.
The 13 Emmy nominations and the ongoing pageantry and circumstances surrounding the Dahmer series glorify and romanticize the monster’s actions and motivations, resulting in further trauma for the families of the victims.
