STANLEY SIEGEL SHOW, THE {THE CAPTURE OF DAVID "SON OF SAM" BERKOWITZ} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of talk/interview programs, hosted by Stanley Siegel. This episode examines the case of the notorious serial killer David Berkowitz, known as the Son of Sam, during the aftermath of his arrest. SiegelÕs first two guests are two New York Police Department officials who were in charge of the Son of Sam investigations, Deputy Inspector Timothy Dowd and Chief of Detectives John Keenan. Dowd and Keenan recount the events of the night of BerkowitzÕs capture, give their perspectives on the case, and attest to the professionalism of the police department during the murder investigations and the ensuing arrest. Next, Siegel speaks with attorney and author Louis Nizer, who provides a legal perspective on BerkowitzÕs case. Nizer differentiates between mental competence, legal insanity, and clinical insanity, and he explains the circumstances in which an alleged criminal is tested for either type of insanity. Nizer also comments on additional evidence and public opinion, both of which could affect BerkowitzÕs case. A psychological perspective is then provided by psychoanalyst Dr. Erika Freeman and by Dr. Daniel W. Schwartz, director of forensic psychiatric services at Kings County Hospital, at which Berkowitz is being held. First, Freeman examines a photograph of Berkowitz taken at the time of his arrest, and she hypothesizes about his mental state and about possible factors that could have led to his criminal activities. Schwartz, the psychiatrist who will determine whether Berkowitz is competent to stand trial, gives an overview of the sort of interview he plans to hold with the suspect. He also comments on his past experiences with serial killers. Next, the two psychiatric experts discuss the characteristics of psychotic and schizophrenic individuals and the link between these mental imbalances and criminal behavior. Commercials deleted. This program contains minor technical problems. This represents the best copy of this program currently available to the Museum.
(Series title varies; this program was known by a variety of names, including "A.M. New York with Stanley Siegel," "The Stanley Siegel Show," "Stanley Siegel," and "The Final Days of Stanley Siegel.")
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by Senator Roy M. Goodman, 1999/2000.
Details
- NETWORK: WABC-TV
- DATE: August 12, 1977 8:00 AM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:42
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:53969
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Crime and criminals; New York City - Police; Serial murders; Psychiatry; Insane, Criminal and dangerous
- SERIES RUN: Syndicated - TV series, 1976-1980
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dennis Marks … Producer
- Alan Friedman … Associate Producer
- Susan Lester … Contributing Producer
- Arnie Nocks … Director
- Stanley Siegel … Host, Interviewer
- Timothy Dowd … Guest
- Erika Freeman … Guest
- John Keenan … Guest
- Louis Nizer … Guest
- Daniel W. Schwartz … Guest
- David Berkowitz