Murder of Scott Amedure

Scott Bernard Amedure (January 26, 1963, – March 9, 1995) was an American man who was murdered after revealing on "The Jenny Jones Show" that he was attracted to his friend Jonathan Schmitz.

Background

Scott Amedure was born in Pittsburgh, PA. His father, Frank J. Amedure Sr., was a local tractor-trailer driver, and his mother, Patricia Amedure (nee Graves), was a housewife. In 1968, the family moved to Waterford, Michigan. Two years later, Frank Sr. and Patricia were divorced. Subsequently, Amedure and his 3 older brothers and younger sister primarily lived with their father.

At age 17, Amedure quit high school to join the U.S. Army, where he finished his GED high school equivalency, and was trained in satellite communications. While assigned in Germany, he learned to ski, and broke his leg while skiing in Switzerland, receiving an Honorable Discharge shortly afterwards. After working several years in technical communications and telecommunications, he became a bartender.

"The Jenny Jones Show" "secret crush" episode

On March 6, 1995, Amedure was taped for an episode of the "Jenny Jones Show" in which he admitted to being a secret admirer of Jonathan Schmitz, who lived near him in Lake Orion, Michigan. Until the taping, Schmitz had no idea who his secret admirer was, and it was later claimed that the producers implied that his admirer was a womancite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE2D9163DF931A25750C0A963958260 |title=Fatal Shooting Follows Surprise on TV Talk Show - New York Times |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/5Z9qMNtuG|archivedate= 2008-07-08|quote= |accessdate=2008-07-08] cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05E1D91E39F932A35752C1A960958260 |title=Talk-Show Host, Testifying at Murder Trial, Plays Down Her Role in Program - New York Times |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5Z9qQFCOI |archivedate= 2008-07-08|quote= |accessdate=2008-07-08] . Schmitz would also later claim that Amedure's confession frightened him, and that the taping of the show, to be aired two weeks later, humiliated and angered him.

According to the testimony at the murder trial, Amedure left a "suggestive" note at Schmitz's house. cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D01E5DE113BF930A25752C1A960958260 |title=Talk-Show Guest Is Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder - New York Times |author= KEITH BRADSHER|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= 1996-11-13|format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5Z9xEOmO3 |archivedate= 2008-07-08|quote= |accessdate=2008-07-08] On March 9, 1995, after finding the note, Schmitz withdrew money from the bank, purchased a shotgun, went back to his apartment parking lot as if to say good bye, and then went to Amedure's mobile home. There he shot Amedure twice in the chest and killed him. Gary Brady, the only witness, called 911 after Schmitz left. After killing Amedure, Schmitz went to a gas station, called 911 and confessed to the killing and indicated that the "Jenny Jones Show" appearance was a reason. As a result of the killing, the episode was never aired.

Amedure was buried in Ottawa Park Cemetery, in Pontiac, Michigan. Schmitz was found guilty of second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony in Oakland County Circuit Court in November of 1996. One month later, he was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

Wrongful death

In 1999, the Amedure family sued "The Jenny Jones Show", Telepictures, and Warner Brothers for the ambush tactics and their negligent role that led to Amedure's death. Time Warner's defense attorney claimed that if the case was to go forward that it would cause a chilling effect on the industry. Judge Gene Schnelz concluded there was such a duty in a 21 page report.

In May 1999, the jury awarded the Amedures US$25 million. The jury found that the "Jenny Jones Show" was both irresponsible and negligent, contending that the show intentionally created an explosive situation without due concern for the possible consequences.

The award was later overturned by the Michigan Court of Appeals in a 2 to 1 decision. cite web |url=http://courtofappeals.mijud.net/resources/asp/dssearch.asp?opntype=coa&DateRange=all&begin_date=07%2F01%2F1996&end_date=11%2F04%2F2005&party_name=amedure&judge1=&judge2=&nature_code=not&lcourt=not&Submit1=Search |title=Michigan Court of Appeals - Court Opinions |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/5Z9xOezVq|archivedate= 2008-07-08|quote= |accessdate=2008-07-08]

The Michigan Supreme Court would not hear the case and it is believed to be due to bias (see official document): [cite web|url=http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/circs/6th/041207p.pdf|title=Gilbert, et al. v. Ferry, et al|accessdate=2008-07-08]

ee also

*Gay panic defense

External links

* [http://courtofappeals.mijud.net/resources/asp/dssearch.asp?opntype=coa&DateRange=all&begin_date=07%2F01%2F1996&end_date=11%2F04%2F2005&party_name=amedure&judge1=&judge2=&nature_code=not&lcourt=not&Submit1=Search Court Of Appeals opinions]
* [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/circs/6th/041207p.pdf Overthrown due to Bias]
* [http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/032104/loc_20040321008.shtml Appeals court ruling another blow to family]
* [http://www.tri.org/ Triangle Foundation]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=3051&pt=Scott%20Amedure Scott Amedure's Gravesite]

Notes