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Hello, I can't imagine why anyone would want to listen to a woman getting murdered. I can't. There, I said it. And I hope my station does not play it on air. I know all the arguments as to WHY the press wants it (and may legally have a case to get it), but should we broadcast it for you? You already know that police investigating the case say they could hear a struggle (screams in the background) yet the 911 dispatcher who took the call said she didn't think anyone was in obvious distress. Would you want to hear for yourself and make up your mind? Why would that help at this point? My feeling is that police and lawyers are working on this case. The media is doing its job by getting the facts of the case and keeping you informed. Is playing the call for you going too far? The Zimmermann family is pleading with the judge not release the tape. I am not sure the law can stop that. We'll see. But should the media play it for you? Would we be accused of censoring the news if we don't? I think the family has been through enough. If the woman on the call was my sister, I would never want it released for everyone to hear and then talk about over a beer at the local tavern later that night. How about this...perhaps the press could listen to it and give you their opinion. I am sure I just ticked off many people in the news business and legal community, but I think we need to remember that in our quest to "get the story" we need to protect those who have suffered enough because of it. Christine
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Posted by: Tanya Location: Madison
Personally, unless you are directly involved with the case, it is none of your business. Posted by: Keith Location: Barneveld Absolutely not. Leave the family alone with their grief. Not everything needs to be a public spectacle as some believe. Why does the press get a bad name? Things like this, where they sue to get access to private info, that should stay private. Investigate things that will help others, not hurt. Posted by: Kim Location: Cottage Grove NO WAY!!!! The family has been though enough!!! Time to move on. Posted by: Peg Location: Madison I see no reason that it should be played. I think the family should listen to it if they want but it should not be played on the news. Posted by: C I agree. The family suffered enough. What will "the public" learn or gain from it now anyway. Posted by: Anonymous I think it should be in respect to what her parents have to say. Posted by: Pat Location: New Glarus It should only be heard by the Zimmerman family, and my heart goes out to them. I am not so sure the person who took the call should get off. Working in a similar enviroment, I would have been fired. What is so hard about sending an officer? Are there protocols for this or what Is it that hard? Posted by: Joe Location: Madison I think the 911 tape should not be released, or played for the public, just like I feel the news should not play video of the man who was killed at the Monster Truck Show. Posted by: Peter Location: Sun Prairie I feel that even in the land of the free, things such as this deeply personal words should be for law enforcement and next of kin. I am a survivor myself of a murdered brother, so the Zimmerman case deeply touched me for her family. Posted by: Rabbi Melrose Location: St. Louis Park Christine, they should play it. The public needs to know. I'm sure that fine journalists such as Christine will use proper judgment when alerting the audience to the tape and also there will be no need to over play it. Once will be enough. They report, you decide. Posted by: john Location: deere Yes trina, I know what you mean. I had the same feeling. But hasn't he been thoroughly checked out by police???? Posted by: trina Location: evansville I listened to the 911 call by Brittney's boyfriend tonight. For some reason, I feel he had something to do with it. I just have that feeling. If I am wrong I apologize. But my gut tells me different. Posted by: anon Location: madison There was forced entry into the apartment... I think the maintenance man can be ruled out. The call made by her fiance Justin has been released with a little over a min. of the 4 min. call edited out. It's a very interesting listen. Posted by: Mangels Location: Sun Prairie My vote is NO. Do not play the call. To all of you that want to hear it played, I would like to know what difference it would make to YOU. If YOU heard the tape, what would YOU do to make sure something like this never happened again? Srsly; If You have a plan for how to prevent another tragedy like this one, but you had to hear the tape first, then I would be the first to agree that you should hear the tape. But that is not the same as having the tape played on braodcast media for everyone to hear. Posted by: Carole Location: Westfield ABSOLUTELY NO!!! Only a sick person would want to hear that. Thank you NBC15 for not being part of that. Another reason why I watch your station most. Posted by: Katie Location: Madison Bob, I bet the maintenance person for Wisconsin Management would freak out if he read this! :) Posted by: Al Location: Imony Christine, just to spite Carol, let's leave this blog up another month. Come on people, keep responding!!! Posted by: Bob Location: madison I just think it is incredible that the police never talked to the maintenance person for Wisconsin Management who have masters keys for the apartments, or checked into any other person that had masters keys of Brittany's apartment Posted by: Michelle Location: Janesville No it shouldn't. Simple as that. Posted by: Ross Location: WI I think Carol of Madison needs to find something else to do, if you don't like Christines topics then don't read them. And I think its wrong to release the tape, yes somebody made a mistake, and it happens but If the tape is released i think even the 911 dispatcher would feel bad Posted by: Carol Location: Madison Again....NEW TOPIC CHRISTINE!! Posted by: Ehud Location: Middleton Typically, I don't believe that such a tape should be released. However, due to the public nature of the controversy with the 911 center and the potential for 'coverup' among our public officials, this should be released. There might be a compromise involved where the news media could 'listen' to the tape and report on it with the understanding that they not play it on the air. Or, if they do play it on the air, they should give sufficient warning to the public that what they are about to hear may not be suitable for all. The city/county has not handled this well and they must be held accountable. Getting to the truth, despite how painful it might be, is in the public's interest. Posted by: Katie Have any of you seen the movie "Eye for an Eye" with Sally Field??? If not, consider yourself lucky. The plot begins with Sally Field's character hearing her daughter being murdered as they are talking on the phone. Its a horrible scene to have to watch, and I cannot imagine having it happen to someone in real life. Having this tape released would be the worst thing for those parents. Its bad enough they have to hear the details of how she died, but having to listen to it.... my God, people!!!! Would YOU want to hear your child being murdered????? ...... Didn't think so. Posted by: Brenda Location: Milwaukee What is wrong with you Madison people. All of you are right AND wrong. Just depends on what side of the fence you are on. That guy Don made some valid points. So did everyone criticizing him for his point of view. What the big deal if it was played. People who don't want to hear it turn the darn volume button down. Yes, there will ALWAYS be wackos out there who enjoy listening to tragic things. The media made it sound as if we ere under attack and at war. Just foriegn nuts bombing our country just like it happens throughout the world. It may have been bigger but the USA is bigger then most country's. Posted by: Susan Location: Middleton Good point Matt on Don's 911 remarks. Posted by: Matt Location: Stoughton To Don's 911 remark about about 18-20 comments down the page. Of course we were all watching 911! At the time it was thought the entire country was under attack. Everyone needed to know what was going on and what precautions to take. Doesn't make sense for you to compare THAT to the Zimmermann tape. Posted by: Christine Bellport Location: Madison Dear Joey - I am so sorry for your loss. I respect every opinion on my blog, but I hope people read your post a few times over before making up their minds. I have felt sad, but very thankful for family members of murder victims who have come forward on this blog to post their opinion. I think the public should be reminded of the pain and loss you all have endured before demanding these tapes be released. Posted by: Laura Location: Stoughton I do not think it would be helpful to the investigation nor do I think it is considerate to the Zimmerman family. Is this so that we can judge whether the dispatcher lied when she said she didn't hear it? I don't think the media nor the public need to decide. Posted by: joey Location: madison absolutely not!!As the father of a murdered daughter It nauseates me to think what kind of individual would find it necessary to hear my daughter fighting for her life. Posted by: Carol Location: Madison Next topic please. Posted by: jim Location: cambridge NO Posted by: Christine Bellport Thank you, Casie. I am happy to report that my station was NOT part of the lawsuit to release that tape, either. Posted by: Cassie Location: Madison Absolutely, unequivocally NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO. I respect the fact that a member of the media does not want stations to play it. Thank you. Posted by: Terry Location: Madison So watching people dies as it happens is better then hearing it a few months later? Posted by: Mark Location: Madison This should be the family's decision. If they think listening to the tape will help catch their daughter's murderer, then they can allow it to be released. Forcing them to listen to it every time the news is on would be cruel to the people that knew and loved her. To the person that made the comment about 9/11, that was something that was happening at that time. The difference here is that this is something that happened several months ago and you would not be able to run over and save Brittany. I have not, and will not, watch the footage of those people jumping from the towers rather than burn to death. (I had been at WTC on 9/07 so I was especially shocked to see what happened). Let the family decide - it was their loss and we have no business forcing them to relive that day if they choose not to. Posted by: Larry Location: Madison Amen, Christine! Merry Christmas! (I'm standing under the mistletoe.) Posted by: Wally Location: Madison NO!!! Posted by: Kim Location: Janesville We don't need to hear a woman's cries for help. This is sensationalism at it's finest! Why is it necessary to play something that morbid?? To do so just plays into the hands of all the sickos in this world. Don't buy on to this s**t and lower your standards. Just my two cents worth... Posted by: Mark Location: Sun Prairie It was a terrible thing what happened. It won't matter if we hear it or not. A young woman is gone and a family lost a love one. I don't care if they play it or not. Saying that, if it was played I would listen. Posted by: Sue Location: Waunakee Everyone has their own opinions. I believe everyone just wants to find the person guilty. I do think it could help hearing it for some. I just am not one who would want to listen to it. Posted by: Mary Location: Madison I agree with Mike and Don. Also, why is everyone jumping all over Don? He is just giving his point of view. Like ALL debates, no one will ever change someone else mind on any subject. I have NEVER heard an argument end with, "oh, you are right and I am wrong". Posted by: Mike Location: Madison I agree with Don to some point. It should be released for those who want to hear it. Also, that first day there were several photos and videos of many people close up falling to their deaths but CNN and Fox soon stop airing them. Posted by: Al Location: Vin Dear Don....911 is not even in the same equation as this. We did not see people burn to death, and the footage of those that jumped was from such a distance that you could not possibly have known who was who. Besides, those shots were taken down mighty quick out of respect for their families. This is more personal. We know who this is, the family knows who it is. Hearing a voice is NOT going to be the piece of evidence that cracks this case. If there is pertinent info, then tell us, don't play the audio for us. Posted by: Don Location: Arlington Anonymous!! I don't care if I hear it or not. I am just saying it should be aired since that WAS the question asked by Christine. One other thing, the professionals you talk about do NOT know every single person's voice! To all that are so against this I have a question. Were you watching 9/11 on TV all day when it happened? Watching people jump out of buildings instead burning to death and all the other people who died that day. So you can watch hundreds and hundreds of people die yet don't want to hear, and possibly help a poor victim and her family, being murdered. Posted by: Anonymous Okay Don from Arlington, maybe you sould go in and ask for yourself to have a personal listening time to hear this tape. If you are so interested to hearing someone being murdered, that MAYBE you will hear something that all of the trained professionals didn't hear, go for it. Maybe in SOME SMALL WAY you maybe the one to figure it out. Posted by: Don Location: Arlington COME ON PEOPLE!! Maybe the voice of the killer is on the tape. maybe someone might recognize it and report the slimeball. Maybe she did something that other people pick up on so if they need to call 911 they won't make the same mistake. I don't want to hear the tape for the sickening killing only that MAYBE in some small way, some how it could help solve the murder. Put the jack** away who did it. Put closure on this crime for the family. People, pull your heads out of your butts for once!! Posted by: Kim Location: Madison I agree the tape should not be played for all to hear. The only thing playing the tape for all to hear will accomplish is creating more agony on the already traumatized family and friends of Brittany. There are plenty of other outlets for all the phsycos to get there kicks from. If thsoe deranged individuals really want to hear such a thing they can go elsewhere to hear it. I do not want to turn on the morning show one morning only to find I've just turned on the sound of that girl being murdered. Posted by: Carolyn Location: Fitchburg I don't see how playing this tape publicly could "help" anyone. It can only cause harm to Brittney's family who have already suffered an inconceivably shattering loss. I've often wondered about how it felt to be Caroline Kennedy, and have cable tv programs showing film of your father being murdered on television every couple of months, and more around the end of November. How ugly. She must never feel safe turning on the TV. I hope the local networks don't play it. It's just morbid curiosity that would make any decent human want to listen... my condolences to the Zimmerman family. Posted by: Amallama Location: Southern Wi I think that this is a very sensitive issue. Many places will release these calls to the media for publicity... but before they do that keep in mind that not only is a family in mourning, but also the community. What will it prove? Nothing, she is gone. Please let the judge do the right thing. My prayers go to her family and friends! Posted by: Mike Location: Madison Wow. pretty strong Christine. I guess if it does get released, I can choose, as Don said, not to listen; but I would have serious reservations about being around anyone who worshiped at the television altar of intrusiveness to pry into this girl's last minutes of life. Then again, if they release this call, then shouldn't all calls be released to the media? maybe a 911 call channel on cable? think about it, you call on your neighbor, or they call on you, and all in the NBC15 viewing area get to hear it. especially heartwarming if you are the one calling on a noisy neighbor, and they see on the news that you were the one that called! what possible justification is there in listening to it? help who, Don? are there audio forensic specialists monitoring our news broadcasts that haven't already been called in, who may jump up and say "The woman who commited this crime leans to the left when she walks, so look for a woman in Madison wearing Doc Martens with a scuffed toe on the left shoe!" Posted by: Jake Location: Madison First of all... people crack me up with free speech- the right to free speech is that a person may speak without governmental interference- that does not mean that an average citizen has the right to demand to hear a woman being murdered. 2nd, Amen Jon- I'm glad I'm not the only thinking of Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry"! 3rd, let's not be too sympathetic to the family's sensibilities... remember, these are the same people who tried to sue the county, then dropped the suit, because they WANTED to hear the tape! now they don't? something smells a little fishy here. 4th, about dragging them into the media spotlight- um, they're the ones that keep objecting, filing suits, dropping them, going after the landlord, want the tape, don't want the tape, don't want anyone but them to hear the tape...way I see it, go with what they wanted first- to have the tape released, otherwise it was a frivolous lawsuit to begin with, and they should be charged with such. Posted by: Trevose Location: miami Release it! The public has a right to know when there is question about our public officials/departments. Posted by: Anonymous The public is a sick place - I can't imagine either why anyone would want to hear someone be murdered. And the internet is just as bad. You need to find better things in life that are good to do. Why not help out the homeless, or children that are from broken homes that need attention? This world is and has been going in the wrong direction. Posted by: Al Location: Bert I think Don is right on this issue. Posted by: Don Location: Arlington All you people that don't want to hear it......DON'T LISTEN!!!!! Good Lord, you hear and see much worse on TV and the internet. Posted by: Sara Location: Madison I'm all about free speech and the freedom to access information,however,releasing the tape of this call serves no purpose at all. We ALREADY KNOW that the call wasn't handled properly; why do we need to hear the call in order to confirm this? I don't even think that the media wants this information for any reason other than the race to see who breaks the information first,since most media outlets have again already confirmed the fact that the call wasn't handled properly. This information isn't a necessity to anything except our perverse need to sit in judgment of everything and everyone. I hope the judge hearing this case listens to the Zimmermann family and keeps the tape out of the public realm. There's no need to subject them to more pain than they've already been through. Posted by: John Location: Deere Don, by playing the tape, the only person this would help is the nut job who wants to hear some poor girl get murdered. Regardless to what we as Americans like to think, we are NOT entitled to know every little detail of every tragedy that occurs. Posted by: Janell Location: Wisconsin I don't see how playing this for the public could help in any way. This should be for the investigators only. I have yet to figure out how this would help the average person watching the 6 & 10 news! Every time this and other murder cases are talked about it's like losing that family member over and over and over again. Albeit the initial shock of the news is passed, but you can't convince me (especially being unsolved) that it's not like putting salt in a fresh wound to hear it repeatedly on any channel you turn on. We don't want this and other unsolved crimes to go away unsolved, but be a little respectful of the family. Posted by: Anon Location: Madison Don, please elaborate on how releasing this call could help someone? I cannot possibly see a situation where this could help someone... Posted by: Scott Location: Madison Christine, I am in COMPLETE agreement with you on this topic. The gathering and presentation of information is one thing. Releasing the 911 tapes of this young woman's dying moments is exploitation and downright tasteless. I wouldn't (and don't)understand why anyone would even want to hear that. I tend to change channels when 911 calls are broadcasted anyway but something on this level is just wrong to me. If this blog has any influence, i hope it causes the powers that be to pause before presenting it on the news. Posted by: Don Location: Arlington Absolutely yes. If you don't want to hear don't listen to it. I realize it may be hard to listen to but it may help other people in some form one way or another. Posted by: Matt Location: Stoughton Christine- Unfortunately there are enough loose screws and twisted minds out there that will probably want to hear Brittany Zimmermann's last agonizing moments here on earth. I for one do not want the tape to be played. There is nothing to be gained by playing it to the general public. Neither did I want to see the excecution video of Saddam Hussein or read the details of Clinton's and Lewinsky's sex encounters in Kenneth Starr's report. Some may get a perverted kind of enjoyment by stimluating their senses such a way but hopefully the vast majority of the population is still repulsed. Spare us the graphic or audible details. Posted by: Jon Location: Madison Absolutely NOT!!! Under any circumstances. These are calls made under duress to 911 for emergency help not for the public to hear. It is very unfair for he Zimmerman family to have to worry about turning on the news and wonder if they will have to hear their daughter crying for help. I understand the whole business of how you put it Christine "get the story" but just how far are you willing to go and where is the line finally crossed? As I am writing this, the old Don Henley song "Dirty Laundry" is ringing through my head and sometimes I can't help but think it brings out some truth. News stories need to accurate but I also believe some ethics need to come into play here. Posted by: Anon Location: Madison No, please DO NOT play the tape. My cousin was brutally murdered in a similar fashion to Brittany. I cannot imagine how painful it would have been to hear her 911 call (had she been able to make one) played over and over. I believe the family has a right to keep this private. It will prove/solve/help NOTHING by playing this tape over and over again. Please, NBC15, do the right thing and listen to Christine and NOT play the tape! |
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