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[The Tragic Intersection of Ambush Television and Homophobia: The Jenny Jones Murder Case]-[Episode 160: The Jenny Jones Secret Crush Murder Case]

Morbid · B2 · 2020-08-01

True crime
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📋 Summary

The Tragic Intersection of Ambush Television and Homophobia: The Jenny Jones Murder Case

Introduction: The Perils of "Ambush Television"

The Morbid podcast hosts, Ash and Alayna, delve into a haunting case that highlights the dangerous intersection of 1990s "ambush television" and deep-seated societal homophobia. At the center of this tragedy is the 1995 murder of Scott Amedure, a man who participated in a "Secret Crush" episode of The Jenny Jones Show, only to be killed days later by the man he had intended to surprise. The hosts emphasize that while the perpetrator is 100% to blame for the murder, the show’s reckless production practices created the volatile environment that made this tragedy possible.

The Victim: Scott Amedure

Scott Amedure, described as a friendly and generous man who identified as gay, was a fan of The Jenny Jones Show. His decision to participate in the "Secret Crush" segment was, by all accounts, an attempt to "shoot his shot" in a lighthearted, albeit public, manner. He had developed a crush on his acquaintance, Jonathan Schmitz, after meeting him at an apartment complex. Scott's fantasy involved a romantic setup with champagne and strawberries, which he shared on stage. Friends and family noted that Scott was a compassionate person who had even taken in friends suffering from AIDS, making his senseless death all the more painful.

The Trigger: The "Ambush" and the Note

Jonathan Schmitz, who was 25 at the time, was brought onto the show under the false impression that he was being surprised by his former fiancée. Upon learning that Scott was his admirer, Jonathan appeared composed on camera, even laughing off the situation. However, the hosts argue that the show's "ambush" format—where guests were forced to react to intense personal revelations without prior warning—was fundamentally irresponsible. Three days after the taping, Scott left a note on Jonathan's door, which Jonathan perceived as a final straw. Driven by what the hosts identify as deep-seated homophobia and potential mental health struggles, including Graves' disease, Jonathan purchased a shotgun and murdered Scott at his home.

The Legal Defense and the "Gay Panic" Strategy

At his trial in 1996, Jonathan Schmitz’s defense team employed the controversial "gay panic" defense, arguing that the humiliation of being outed on national television, combined with his medical condition, induced a violent, irrational episode. The hosts condemn this defense as an "absolute joke," noting that it relies on the bigoted premise that being identified as gay is a valid provocation for murder. Despite Schmitz’s confession and premeditated actions—he made multiple stops to secure a weapon and ammunition—the jury appeared to sympathize with him, ultimately convicting him of second-degree murder rather than first-degree.

Accountability and the Aftermath

The Amedure family filed a wrongful death suit against The Jenny Jones Show, arguing that the production was negligent in failing to vet the mental health of its guests. During the trial, host Jenny Jones crumbled under intense cross-examination, admitting that the show had no formal process to assess the stability of participants. While a jury initially awarded the Amedure family millions, the decision was later overturned by an appeals court, which ruled that the show had no legal responsibility for the actions of its guests after filming. Jenny Jones notably claimed she was "elated" by this reversal, a stance the podcasters find morally reprehensible.

Conclusion: Lessons Ignored

The hosts conclude that while Jonathan Schmitz is the sole individual responsible for the act of murder, the negligence of The Jenny Jones Show cannot be overlooked. The case serves as a grim reminder of how media platforms, in their pursuit of ratings, often disregard the human cost of their "ambush" tactics. As Scott's brother Frank noted, the tragedy was a result of a "perfect storm" fueled by homophobia—a prejudice that, in this instance, turned a harmless crush into a life-ending encounter. The case remains a chilling testament to the dangers of unchecked media influence and the persistent, lethal nature of homophobia.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I feel ready now.
2
Let's do this together.
3
See, I'm a pump-up artist, if nothing.
4
Let's be real.
5
The whole thing is really adding up.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
shoot one's shot
2
tall drink of water
3
roll with the punches
4
clear something up
5
shoulder responsibility
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hey weirdos, it's Ash. Before we dive into today's twisted tale, let me tell you about the spooky perks of Wondery+.
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