Analysis of Documentary Film about the Capital Punishment

During this documentary I think the most important part of the Criminal Justice system involved were the police and detectives. The police/detectives were constantly investigating and trying to solve these murders. They were present at every missing person scene and when bodies were found. Eventually, they determined Bundy as the serial killer. During the documentary many police/detectives involved in the case were the ones describing the events of the past.

An article from the Crime Museum explains Ted Bundy’s story, but something stood out that was prevalent in the documentary.

The article states, “Police consistently ruled him out based on his seemingly upstanding character and clean-cut appearance” (Museum, 1). This is important to note, because Bundy was not what you would expect when you hear the word ‘killer’ even the police doubted in the beginning that it was him. Also, they did not have the evidence to prove it was him or he had any relation to the events.

Though, the police did not know it was him at first, they eventually caught him and accumulated enough evidence to determine Bundy was the serial killer. Police and detectives across America had a huge role in the Ted Bundy case. These people had many jobs during this case such as; investigations, helping grieving families, searches for who the killer may be, etc. In the documentary the police/detectives stay humble while telling the story, but without them the murders would have not been put to an end and justice could have not been served.

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Another important part of the criminal justice system that was portrayed in the documentary was the murder trials. Although, they did not show as much of the trials as they could have, it is still a huge part of the process. The documentary made it apparent that these trials lasted over a long period of time and involves several people. Trials are typically unusual, but for such severe cases like this, there was no way around it. Another interesting aspect of this trial is that is was broadcasted on television. The Miami New Times states “The building had been filled to the brim with media outlets from across the nation, all circling in to broadcast the trial of America’s notorious serial killer” (Lauredo, 1). This is important to know, because it gives a better understanding on media in the trial. People were able to speculate and make their own accusations based off of the broadcasted trial.

Something more unusual about this trial was “He found himself playing the lead actor in this nationally broadcast double-murder trial” (Lauredo, 1). By this they mean Bundy was his own lawyer at some point during the trial. They showed this within the documentary, because Bundy believed he was better than his own defense team and even did some cross-examinations to a few witnesses.

In the last episode of the documentary, the death penalty was very apparent and talked about. In present times the death penalty tends to be a controversial topic, but in the late 80’s it did not appear to be as big of a problem for anyone that Bundy was facing the death penalty. Although an article released after Bundy’s execution did describe how some people in Florida were against the death penalty, but the article also informed “Some of those opposing capital punishment did admit to having difficulty in remaining true to their position, faced with the heinousness of Bundy’s crimes” (Paredes, 9). This sentence alone shows how much these murders affected people, changed them, these people wanted to see true justice for all the lives Bundy took and all the pain he caused to many people across America.

To continue on with the death penalty, the documentary also proves that it is very possible to get your execution date pushed back. All it took was a few recommendations from psychologists explaining why it needs to wait. Although, the case was different for Bundy, because many people were awaiting his death, he still got his original execution date pushed back. Even though Bundy’s death date was extended, it did not change the fact that he knew he was going to die. A website, Death Penalty Information Center, describes something that tends to happen to criminals on death row. Typically, when people are on death row they will obtain “death row syndrome.” This article explains how psychologists and lawyers have noted how inmates “in the confines of death row can make inmates suicidal, delusional and insane” (Center,1). This article relates to the documentary, because while Bundy was on death row, he talked about suicide. Bundy did not want to face the electric chair, he would have rather committed suicide. He explained how he could easily kill himself with a pen, while he was continuing the tapes with the journalist Stephan. I think this proves that Bundy easily could have had death row syndrome.