We enjoyed it initially but as it progressed we found ourselves skipping a lot of the monologues and the family discussions because it was so very biased. The final speech by the sister of the dead wife was brilliant and quite telling, including a scathing reference to this "documentary". My wife and I felt almost like accomplices by watching it which made us feel uncomfortable. (NB. We came to the conclusion that he did it so we were biased also).
AH, so good. I like how its really unbiased in how they portray him, because it allows you to feel the uncertainty that others felt watching the case.
Better than a movie. Absolutely incredible and mesmerizing. I loved it both from the sentimental point of view and as a legal drama aswell
Absolutely gripping. A story of life, love, death, family, and justice. Made me cry and laugh.
One of the first trials I got interested in.
I really liked how the story was told and it made me passionate about it.
I recommend watching it, it certainly deserves more attention.
Full disclosure: I am very biased when it comes to these types of stories. For a number of years I’ve been listening to wrongful conviction podcast called Undisclosed. I have listened to a number of other podcasts with similar themes. So I am more predisposed than ever to side with the defense over the prosecution, all other things being equal. Additionally, Undisclosed has made me aware of a rash of cases in the United States where accidents have been treated as homicides even though the evidence does not suggest homicide (particularly in relation to Infant Sudden Death Syndrome, drowning, and death by fire). So, let’s just say I’m biased when it comes to a case in which a government is trying to convict someone of murder who maintains it was an accident.
Mild SPOILERS
The first mini series is about the death of Kathleen Peterson and the trial of husband for murder. It is an in depth look – at times too in-depth as the series could be a little tighter, especially the episode where they exhume the body. But I think they are trying to make a point about the process, and it’s not one a I disagree with.
There are some strange things about this case, to be sure. And I guess if you are repulsed by someone being semi in the closet or you’re really into the meaning of coincidence, you maybe think he did it. But the crazy coincidence in this case that the state wants to portray as really meaningful but it means accepting that the German authorities did a terrible job and assuming that the Medical Examiner’s conclusion is unbiased.
I don’t think he did it but that’s not the point. The point is, rather, that there is a ton of reasonable doubt in this case. Just a ton. Whether it’s with the “weapon”, with the conclusion it was an assault (with the issues with the blood spatter and with the photos), or with any number of other things. Yes the version of the trial is biased in favour of the defense because it’s clear the filmmakers are on his side, but we see (parts of) the trial, and there is a lot of doubt.
This becomes only more apparent in the first of the sequel series, in which we learn that the State’s principal expert is now known to have regularly altered his tests to favour the prosecution. And not only that, he wasn’t much of an expert, period.
You may think Michael Peterson killed his wife. But I cannot understand how anyone can look at this case – especially with the revelations about the state’s principal expert – and not have reasonable doubt. Because, folks, this case is dog shit. There’s no proof that she didn’t fall. And that’s supposed to be enough to keep someone out of jail. It isn’t, but it’s supposed to be.
But you only really need to watch the first part of this series, or perhaps the second. You can easily read about what happened in the appeals. I say this because the sequels focus much more on the family interactions and decisions about appeals, than the evidence. So those parts are kind of incidental unless you want “closure” on the case. For me the real value is in the original series and how it shows that even a rich white man can get railroaded by the US justice system.
Beyond a reasonable doubt hmm
The Staircase is an intriguing documentary that offers a unique perspective from both sides of the case. It takes you on a journey that's fascinating, leaving one with more questions than answers. However, while the series does an excellent job of delving deep into the details of the case, I couldn't help but feel that it could have been much shorter. Some scenes seemed repetitive and unnecessary, which made the series feel slightly dragged out.
Dragged out for too many episodes. There was so much filler and pointless scenes that by the end I was fast forwarding some. I googled the case after I finished the show and was shocked to read about the owl theory. It made more sense than anything I had just watched. :person_facepalming::female_sign: I felt so bad for everyone, especially the kids. Such a horrible situation.
great show, well worth watching
Norwegian Television NRK has this documentary available online for Norwegian viewers here... http://tv.nrk.no/program/koid20001213/mordet-i-trappen
Shout by EricaBlockedParent2018-07-01T12:54:40Z
A well-made documentary that follows Mike Peterson and his defense team. It is obviously biased toward them. However from what I could see it did show both the defense and the prosecutions facts and claims throughout the trial, therefore the viewer can still make up their own mind by looking at the facts.
It is pretty clear, to me, that he did not kill his wife. I did even go into this thinking that he was guilty(without much knowledge of the case though) but there were no evidence that, for me, spoke to his guilt in any way or form. And then the absolute incompetence and ill will from the prosecution, police involved and forensic lab workers...?! Baffling.