Opening Arguments The Tragedy of True Crime
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Nov 24, 2025 Join John J. Lennon, an author and journalist serving time at Sing Sing, as he dives into the complexities of true crime narratives. He shares his personal journey, including the emotional impact of seeing his crime dramatized on screen. Lennon critiques how the media sensationalizes the lives of the guilty, exploring the cost of our obsession with true crime. He reflects on accountability, the limits of restorative justice, and how writing helped him confront his past, while introducing a more humane perspective on his fellow inmates.
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Misled Into A True Crime TV Appearance
- John J. Lennon describes being recruited onto Chris Cuomo's show after pitching a magazine piece and being misled about the program's focus.
- He realized producers lied about the show's theme and felt uncomfortable sitting across from the host under armed guards.
A Stabbing Led To A Writing Workshop
- Lennon recounts discovering creative writing in Attica after being stabbed, which set him on a path to journalism.
- A volunteer workshop and Best American Essays subscriptions taught him magazine-style narrative techniques.
Watching Your Crime Reenacted Is Traumatising
- Lennon watched a reenactment of his own crime on Inside Evil and found it emotionally intense and dehumanizing.
- He describes slow-motion shots and repeated cuts to the victim's family that made the experience painful.
