Gilberto Valle was 28 years old when he was arrested in 2012 for conspiring to abduct, rape, murder, and eat women. That he was an officer of the New York City Police Department ignited a tabloid media sensation. Dubbed the “Cannibal Cop,” Valle was tried and convicted of kidnapping conspiracy; his discussions on a torture fetish website were key evidence in his conviction.
Valle always maintained that his expressions were no more than fantasies and nothing he would act upon. A federal judge would later agree and find that no non-internet steps were taken to commit a crime, overturning the conviction. Prosecutors have appealed, and the case remains unresolved.
Thought Crimes, a new documentary by filmmaker Erin Lee Carr premiering at 9pm ET tonight on HBO, examines the case from the personal perspective of Valle and his parents. The film features interviews with legal and behavioral analysts including The Forensic Panel’s Chairman, Dr. Michael Welner.
Ms. Carr’s debut feature film follows Valle’s legal journey to date, incorporating unprecedented, intimate interviews with Valle and his attorneys, who argue that charges were fed by media sensation. The movie features insights from a Valle trial juror as well, and provokes debate on broader societal issues at a time when privacy is challenged and online culture is ubiquitous, private, and unpredictable. And what proves intent in the digital universe?
Featured law academics include attorneys Alan Dershowitz and Erin Murphy, who caution about the implications of “thought policing.” Dr. Chris Kraft of John Hopkins University and Dr. David Greenfield of the New Jersey Center for Internet and Technology Addiction also appear. Dr. Welner’s focus in the film is on the case evidence as it relates to our understanding of criminal sexual deviant behavior and its relationship to online activity.
Ultimately, the Valle case involves the interpretation of whether depraved thought reflects depraved intent. The Depravity Standard research is specifically designed to give guidance to jurors about what evidence establishs actual depravity in intent. More importantly, it involves each member of the general public in establishing societal standards that can be applicable to future cases such as that of Valle. Viewers of Thought Crimes and others interested in having an impact on the justice system are encouraged to visit www.depravitystandard.org and participate in the research.
