The Gist John J. Lennon — "I'm Owning My Sh*t on the Page"
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Nov 12, 2025 In this engaging discussion, John J. Lennon, an incarcerated writer and journalist at Sing Sing, shares insights from his book, *The Tragedy of True Crime*. He critiques the genre's obsession with innocence, arguing it obscures the realities of guilt and redemption. Lennon reveals his experience on Chris Cuomo's show, describing it as exploitative, which fueled his desire to rethink true crime narratives. He advocates for a more nuanced approach that acknowledges punishment and rehabilitation, while critiquing the media's framing of crime.
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Innocence Obscures Harder Stories
- John J. Lennon argues true crime's focus on innocence simplifies storytelling and obscures complex realities of guilt and punishment.
- He prefers writing about guilty men because their stories reveal the harder gray areas of responsibility and change.
Baited By A TV Production
- Lennon recounts being misled by producers about CNN's Inside Evil and then seeing the show's real title revealed at the prison taping.
- He felt exposed and set up when Chris Cuomo walked into a room wrapped in POs and cameras.
Violent Turning Point In Prison Yard
- Lennon describes a turning point after being stabbed six times in the yard by a friend of the man he killed.
- That assault pushed him away from the street lifestyle and toward introspection and change.
