#michael peterson novelist

[morbidmemories]

Netflix true crime

Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey

Warren Jeffs saw himself as the spiritual leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), an extremist offshoot of mainstream Mormonism. In reality, he created a system of abuse and coercion, forcing members of his congregation — often underage — into marriage, blind obedience, and isolation. In this docuseries, former FLDS members and survivors come forward to share their stories. Using never-before-seen VCR footage from within the FLDS community, this series provides the well-known story with a deeply human and relatable face — told through current interviews with his wives and congregation.

Lover, Stalker, Killer

As the title suggests, Lover, Stalker, Killer is a story of a romance gone wrong. In 2012, Dave Kroupa created an online dating profile after just coming out of a long-term relationship. It’s there that he meets a single mom named Liz Golyar. Soon after, he encounters another single mother, Cari Farver, while repairing her car at his auto shop. It’s an instant connection for Kroupa and Farver, but what would unfold is a twisted love triangle that leads to harassment, digital deception, and murder.

Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal

A tight-knit South Carolina community is ripped apart by a series of deadly crimes that all seem to involve one family: the Murdaughs. The two seasons of Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal delve into how a prominent family used and abused their wealth and privilege to the extreme.

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer

Yeah, you’ll want to lock your doors and windows for this one. Beneath the glitz and glamor of 1985 LA lurked a prolific serial killer. Richard Ramirez hunted, tortured, and murdered his victims in terrifying ways while evading capture for one long year. Night Stalker focuses on Ramirez’s victims and the investigators behind the manhunt.

The Keepers

Who killed Sister Cathy? In 1969, the 26-year-old nun from suburban Baltimore was murdered. Her sudden death stunned the town, especially her students at Archbishop Keough High School. As investigators dug into this mystery, they learned that her death may not have been the only injustice. Was Sister Catherine Cesnik murdered to cover up sexual abuse by a school priest?

The Staircase

In 2001, novelist Michael Peterson found his wife, Kathleen Peterson, dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. Although it was reported as an accidental death, investigators believed Peterson bludgeoned his wife and staged the murder. The Staircase documents the case against Peterson and poses the question: Did he do it?

Credit:

[liberty1776]

Sex, Death, and Storytelling | Andrew Klavan | EP 226

Dr. Jordan Peterson speaks with author and podcaster Andrew Klavan. They discuss the beauty in the “tough guy with a purpose” archetype that inspired Klavan to write, the loss of idealism in main characters, the eye-rolling anti-realism in media portrayals of young women, and how superhero films have ushered in an era of storytelling devoid of human nature, and why most new stories and adaptations feel deeply empty. Andrew Klavan is an American podcaster, essayist, and novelist. He has written more than 30 novels since 1977. His podcast, the Andrew Klavan show, has been a staple for years, though Klavan has had other similar shows produced by companies such as Truth Revolt and the Blaze. Klavan has also produced modern “radio plays” for the DW with “Another Kingdom,” which has three seasons. Notably, Klavan was born jewish, but in his adult life converted to Christianity. Andrew grew up as one of four sons in Great Neck, Long island. His father, Gene Klavan, was a NY disc jockey. Andrews 1995 novel, True Crime, was adapted into the hit film by Clint Eastwood. His novel Don’t Say A Word was adapted into a film of the same name starring Michael Douglass. Many of his other works, along with original screenplays, have also been produced.

[jmovielover]

Max Originals (Part 9)

The Staircase (May 5 2022-June 9 2022; 1 Season) "Michael Peterson, a crime novelist, is accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. As the investigation continues, the family is thrown into a tumultuous legal battle. Meanwhile, a French documentary team takes an interest in the story." (Developed by Antonio Campos)

Father of The Bride (June 16 2022) "A father must come to grips with his daughter's upcoming wedding and handle multiple relationships within his sprawling Cuban American family." (Directed by Gary Alazraki)

Gordita Chronicles (June 23 2022; 1 Season) "In the 1980s, Carlota "Cucu" Castelli leaves her home in Santo Domingo to pursue the American Dream after her father's work transfer to Miami." (Developed by Claudia Forestieri)

Rap Shit (July 21 2022-December 21 2023; 2 Seasons) "The show follows Mia Knight and Shawna Clark, two estranged high school friends from Miami who come back together to form a rap group." (Developed by Issa Rae)

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (July 28 2022-?; 1 Season with a 2nd on the way) "The slasher series follows the lives of a group of teenage girls who live in Millwood, Pennsylvania, after receiving terrifying and cryptic messages from a mysterious assailant named "A", holding them responsible for something tragic that their mothers did that resulted in the death of a classmate 22 years earlier." (Developed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa & Lindsay Calhoon Bring)

[intriguingpeoplebyangelafloyd]

MICHAEL PETERSON

MICHAEL PETERSON

1943

SUSPECT IN HIS WIFE AND FRIENDS DEATH, WHO WERE BOTH FOUND DEAD AT THE BOTTOM OF A STAIRCASE AFTER BEING ALONE WITH HIM

            Peterson is an American novelist who was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He married Patricia Sue and they had two children and lived in Germany. They were friends with Elizabeth and George Ratliff, after they died; Peterson became guardian of their two children.

            Elizabeth Ratliff was Michael’s friend and neighbour who was found dead at the bottom of her staircase at her home in Germany in 1985. Michael was the last person to have seen her alive and was alone with her the night before. The Petersons had dinner with Elizabeth and her daughters that night, afterwards Michael remained behind with Elizabeth before he went home. Her body was discovered by the children’s nanny the next morning.

            After Patricia and Michael broke up he moved to Durham, North Carolina and married Kathleen in 1997, Kathleen had a daughter from a previous relationship. 

            Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the stairs in their North Carolina home in December 2001. Michael called police and told them that he believed she had fallen down the stairs. He later said that he had been outside by the pool, came inside at 2:40am and found Kathleen dead at the bottom of the stairs. She had alcohol and valium content in her body at the time of her death. She had a fractured skull and seven lacerations at the top and back of her head. It was believed she may have been killed by a blunt object and died from blood loss between 90 minutes to 2 hours after she sustained the injuries. Michael was the only person at the home at the time of her death.

            Investigation revealed that Michael had been having affairs behind Kathleen’s back with men whom Kathleen allegedly didn’t know about.

            In 2003 he was convicted of murdering Kathleen, in 2017 the charges changed to manslaughter and today he is free. Today he lives in Durham, North Carolina and had filed for bankruptcy.  

#michaelpeterson #elizabethpeterson #thestaircase #thestaircasemurders

[sofyaleblanc]

The Staircase (Review)

Image: filmjunk.com My reactions while watching this series: muder, strange, absurd, crazy, dark, stupid, no way, ah, hmm, really? how! why! what? am I missing something here? *back to episode 1*, hmm, wtf! What can we say as spectators? From the start, I firmly believed this was a murder story, but it ended with the acquittal of the accused who made me, oh hell! Regardless of what actually…

[dovebuffy92]

The Staircase miniseries, created by Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn, is a mesmerizing crime drama based on the true-crime docu-series of the same name directed by French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (performed in the series by Vincent Vermignon).

On December 9th, 2001, Kathleen Peterson (Toni Colette) was found dead at the bottom of her home’s main staircase in Durham, NC. The police, prosecutors, and some of Kathleen’s family believe her husband, charismatic crime novelist Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), bludgeoned her to death. Most of Michael’s family band together to support him. A French filmmaking team documents Michael’s journey through the United States Justice System. Will the filmmakers get too sucked into the novelist’s orbit to produce an unbiased docu-series?

The crime drama creators bring Kathleen to the center of her murder through flashbacks. Firth exhibits his true mastery as an actor while inhabiting Michael Peterson while The Staircase grapples with the complexities of a blended American family and the justice system. The miniseries is worth a watch for true crime enthusiasts even if they haven’t seen a single episode of the docu-series.

Humanizing the Kathleen Peterson

The Staircase’s creative team humanizes Kathleen by revealing her personality through flashbacks. Multiple sequences make clear that Kathleen loves her three daughters, Caitlin Atwar (Olivia DeJonge), Margaret Ratliff (Sophie Turner), and Martha Ratliff (Odessa Young). She is truly dedicated to both her biological and adopted daughters. Michael and Kathleen’s marriage contains cracks, but they still have fun together. The miniseries show Kathleen’s stressful though accomplished work life. The executive works hard to balance her domestic duties and high-level job, which leaves her utterly exhausted.

Kathleen’s actions prove her to be a profoundly empathic and generous spirit. The immediate aftermath of her death reveals how she was greatly loved by everybody, from her stepson Todd Peterson (Patrick Schwarzenegger) to her sister Candance Hunt Zamperini (Rosemarie DeWitt). Even those family members and friends who side with Michael mourn Kathleen’s death. There are times when Michael appears to be devasted by her passing.

Nobody can pretend that a beloved human being didn’t die. Crime dramas based on real murders should honor the victims, which The Staircase does successfully. The casting of Toni Collette as Kathleen guaranteed an award-winning performance.

Colin Firth Inhabiting Michael Peterson

All the actors in The Staircase bring their characters to life in a truly emotionally powerful way, but Firth steals every scene. The famous British actor has one of the trickiest roles because most of the audience has witnessed ten docu-series episodes centered around the charming Michael, who has a distinctive voice. Firth invokes Michael’s unique accent without sounding like a caricature of the novelist. The actor naturally utilizes some of Michael’s gestures without seeming forced. Firth’s genuine charisma enables him to inhabit Michael’s public charming persona.

But Firth can also capture Michael when his mask drops. He can quickly switch from a sweet family man to a controlling father. He also brings a sense of vulnerability to the role. Michael can’t neatly fit into this miniseries’s protagonist or antagonist box. The novelist is somewhere in the middle, neither the hero nor the story’s villain.

The Blended Family

The Peterson-Ratliff-Atwater clan seems like the perfect modern American family in many ways. These two parents have successfully blended their children to form a new family. “911?” contains a sequence showing the family having dinner together. Michael notes that while their family is not perfect, they “always stick together.” There is a sense that it’s the Peterson-Ratliff-Atwater clan against the world. Nobody shares internal conflicts outside the immediate family.

There are all supremely close to one another and have even established traditions. Kathleen and Michael share sage advice with their adult children, who celebrate their whole family. Several family members toast Martha, starting her first year at college. All three daughters are established to be very close. After Kathleen dies, Margaret, Caitlin, and Martha sleep in the same bed. Biological siblings Todd and Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) stay strong for their little sisters.

Though quickly, the series shows fractures in their happy family facade. Flashbacks reveal that Kathleen and Clayton don’t enjoy each other’s company because of the young man’s past legal problems. Caitlin struggles to deal with the holes in her stepfather’s story about how Kathleen died. Michael adopted Margaret and Martha when they were toddlers, so they feel a sense of loyalty to him that gets in the way of their bond with the suspicious Caitlin.

Kathleen and Michael’s relationship appears toxic because of his secrets and her essentially financially supporting the whole family by herself. Michael’s irrational temper dampens his ability to form close bonds with all his children. Once the miniseries digs below the surface level, it’s clear that Michael Peterson’s secretive cruel behavior poisoned this blended family.

Troubling Justice System

The Staircase miniseries doesn’t paint the representatives of the justice system as angels either. Prosecutors Freda Black (Parker Poser) and David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) hate Michael even before he murders his wife. Flashforwards in the miniseries imply that some of their expert witnesses didn’t do everything by the book. David and Freda rely on faulty evidence to make their case, not digging too deeply because they decided he was guilty before any investigation. The prosecutors use horrific imagery to manipulate Kathleen’s biological family to turn on Michael before having all the facts. Neither Michael nor the prosecutors are depicted as the “white hats” of the story.

Last Thoughts on The Staircase Miniseries

This review is based on the first five episodes of The Staircase miniseries. True crime fans will love this engaging limited series that explores all aspects of the docu-series, including turning the camera on the French documentary team.

On May 5th, watch the first, second, and third episodes of The Staircase on HBO MAX. If you have not seen the docu-series with the same title, perhaps check out all ten episodes on Netflix before the fictionalized story airs! Those who enjoy mystery may want to consider waiting to watch the docu-series until later. 

[forensicfield]

The Novelist, Murder, and Ethics

One of the most interesting forensic cases in recent memory has been playing out in North Carolina since 2001. In December of that year, Michael Peterson, who penned several best-selling novels, called police to report that his wife had fallen down a flight of stairs and was not breathing. She died shortly after police arrived at the scene, which had a significant amount of spilled blood.

Peterson maintained that she had been drinking and likely fell accidentally while he was sitting out by their pool. The medical examiner found injuries that were inconsistent with a fall and Peterson was arrested, indicted, and eventually convicted of murder in 2003. One of the key prosecution witnesses was a bloodstain pattern analyst from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The SBI had been the subject of state inquiries and investigations from 2009 to 2010, and as a result of these investigations and the appeals process the analyst was subsequently fired in 2011. Among the allegations against him was that he overstated his qualifications and experience in the area of bloodstain pattern analysis. Peterson was granted a new trial and released in December of 2011, and the case continues to unfold.

---

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[popculturebrain]

HBO Max Orders The Staircase Limited Series Adaptation Starring Colin Firth

HBO Max has ordered The Staircase, an eight-episode limited series starring Academy and BAFTA Award-Winner Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, A Single Man, Kingsman: The Secret Service) as American novelist Michael Peterson.

Subscribe to the Pop Culture Brain Daily newsletter for more stories like this!

[4yourexcitement]

Toni Collette Joins Colin Firth In HBO Max's Docuseries The Staircase

Credit: Noni Smith 2001, in the exclusive Forest Hills neighbourhood of Durham, North Carolina, novelist Michael Peterson’s wife died in suspicious circumstances. Peterson claimed a fall down the stairs of their home after consuming alcohol and Valium is what killed Kathleen. However, a medical examiner determined that she had been beaten with a weapon, finding blows to the back of her head from…

[desdealgunlugardelsur]

Harrison Ford: 2019 summary (II)

(PART I HERE) 

MAY:

30th: At Galaxy’s Edge dedication ceremony, with Billy Dee Williams, George Lucas and Mark Hamill

Remembering the good old days:

Peter, this one's for you! at minute 29:00

JUNE:

2nd: At the premiere of The Secret Life of Pets 2 in Los Angeles

4th: promoting the movie at the Ellen DeGeneres Show

There are a few videos but Tumblr doesn´t allow to upload more than 5 videos per post, so here are the links:

Harrison has a perfect dog voice

Harrison Ford's first time skydiving won't be his last 

Harrison Ford watching Jake Gyllenhaal’s impression of Harrison Ford

JULY:

12th: Armstrong, narrated by Harrison Ford, is released 

13th: Happy Birthday Harrison! (Pic collage by @theyoungford​)

Mark also congratulates his old friend with some beautiful words:

19th: Harrison spotted in the Grand Canyon with his wife Calista Flockhart and their son Liam (pics from grandcanyonman)

19th: Rutger Hauer (the replicant Roy Batty in the epic sci-fi movie Blade Runner) pass away

AUGUST:

No news about Harrison but at least we got this nice picture of a scruffy-looking Harrison with shades (original pic from Chhumnith Chea)

SEPTEMBER:

Early September: on the cover of Cloakroom magazine

15th: Harrison at Ride On. (More pictures on instagram:  [x]   [x]  [x]  [x]  [x]   [x])

22nd: at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York city

“There is a new force of nature at hand, stirring all over the world. They are the young people whom frankly, we have failed, who are angry, who are organized, who are capable of making a difference. The most important thing that we can do for them is to get the hell out of their way.”

With Emmanuel Macron, Evo Morales and other political leaders:

OCTOBER: 

2nd: Harrison talks about the future of Nature conservation at the Xprize Visioneering Summit 2019

3rd:  Harrison attends Save the Children Centennial Celebration: Once in a Lifetime, in Los Angeles 

with singer and musician James Taylor:

10th: Rumours about an Air Force One sequel, with Harrison returning (to be honest I think this is fake news)

NOVEMBER:

It´s November 2019, Blade Runner month! Producer and filmaker Charles de Lauzirika released more than 100 behind the scenes pics from the movie to celebrate this date. 

4th: Harrison attends the premiere of Ford vs Ferrary in Los Angeles

With actor Matt Damon:

With Christian Bale:

With former co-star Thora Birch (she played Jack Ryan´s daughter in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger)

20th: The Call of the Wild poster and trailer released

20th: Rick Deckard meets Rachael at theTyrell Corporation:

21st: Harrison Ford to Star in 'The Staircase' TV Series:

Harrison Ford is headed to TV for the first time in more than 25 years. The Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner star is attached to a scripted adaptation of The Staircase from Annapurna TV. The potential series is a retelling of the 2004 true-crime docuseries about the murder of Kathleen Peterson and the prime suspect, her husband, novelist Michael Peterson.

DECEMBER:

10th:  at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain 

“Like many of you here today, I have felt despair for the state of the world,” Ford said. “People are scared and angry, and they have right to be.”

(...) Some of the usual marquis names also have appeared in Madrid, including former Democratic presidential contenders Al Gore, and John Kerry. The biggest draw by far has been the 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who was mobbed my onlookers as she arrived in Madrid last week.

Harrison meets Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez

17th: at the World Premiere of The Rise of Skywalker

With Adam Driver:

With John Williams and Billy Dee Williams:

25th: Harrison spotted in Madrid, Spain, on Christmas Eve. (He stayed in a hotel with just a few friends and without Calista... however it´s possible that he came back to the US at time to celebrate Christmas Eve at home) Video here

26th: Harrison in Knoxville, Tennessee. Not really important news, but look at that big, happy smile! Best sight to end the year 2019 (pictures from instagram: [x] [x])

[ashleypelletier]

Cullen Moss (best known from One Tree Hill) stopped by the podcast to talk about one of his latest roles, Jim Hardin in the HBO Max series, The Staircase. The show is a fictionalized series based off of the Netflix documentary with the same name. Moss talks about prepping to play Hardin, some of the facts of the case, and what fans can expect watching it. Moss also reflects on his role in One Tree Hill and more recently on Outer Banks. Moss can now be seen as Detective Russ Aborn on Blackbird.

Host: Monica Gleberman

Editor: Ashley Pelletier

Social Media Graphic: Jojo

--

Synopsis:

After she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, Michael Peterson, a crime novelist, is accused of bludgeoning his wife Kathleen to death. As the investigation continues, the family is thrown into a tumultuous legal battle. Meanwhile, a French documentary team takes an interest in the story.

[charbear177]

Summer 2022 Streaming Watch List

It’s summertime and the perfect time of year to go on vacation or to just get out and about to the beach or the pool. But on those days when it’s just too hot outside, or for the nights you want to stay in, kick back with your favorite streaming service and enjoy some great shows.

For the month of July 2022, I am providing a list of a few older shows, and some newly returned shows to indulge in and binge-watch this month.

Here’s What to Watch This Summer

Stranger Things

When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying supernatural forces in order to get him back. - IMDB

Season 4 of Stranger Things just premiered this summer on Netflix. It’s dark, it’s nostalgic, and it’s fun. Watch all seasons 4 now and get caught up on the upside down.

Westworld

At the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, waits a world in which every human appetite can be indulged without consequence. - IMDB

Westworld is a little bit of everything. It’s a mix of sci-fi, action, and mystery all packed into this beautifully shot show. New episodes of season 4 of Westworld are currently airing on HBO on Sunday nights. You can catch up on all prior seasons on HBO Max.

Anatomy of a Scandal

A sexual consent scandal amongst British privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake. - IMDB

This is a great limited series, that has a nice twist at the end. It’s the perfect binge show for a lazy Saturday, and it will leave thinking about people and perceptions. Available now on Netflix.

The Staircase

Tells the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed. - IMDB

I originally learned of this story a few years after watching the Netflix documentary. This current production is a HBO limited series, with an all star cast. Very interesting, true crime story that leaves you asking yourself if you believe in coincidence.

The Gilded Age

A wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family embarks on a mission to infiltrate the wealthy neighboring clan dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell, his rakish son, Larry, and his ambitious wife, Bertha. - IMDB

I absolutely loved The Gilded Age and cannot wait to see where the story ultimately goes. If you love period pieces, costumes, and great drama, you will love this show. Season 1 is currently available on HBO Max.

Slow Horse

Follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve as a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. -IMDB

Slow Horse is for the viewer who loves a spy drama. The cast is great, and the story is intriguing. Reminds me of the first Mission Impossible. I recommend it. Watch now on Apple TV.

Persuasion

Eight years after Anne Elliot was persuaded not to marry a dashing man of humble origins, they meet again. Will she seize her second chance at true love? -IMDB

Persuasion premieres on Netflix on July 15th. This is for the Jane Austen lovers, who love the yearn and burn romances.

The Boys

A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers. - IMDB

The Boys is violent, vulgar, offensive, and deliciously fun and entertaining to watch. It is not for everyone, but these superheroes give a different take on how a world full of people with superpowers might be. Season 4 just premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Watch all 4 seasons now on Amazon.

Shining Girls

Years after a brutal attack left her in a constantly shifting reality, Kirby Mazrachi learns that a recent murder is linked to her assault. She teams with a veteran reporter to understand her ever-changing present and confront her past. - IMDB

This series is a mystery, crime, and sci-fi all wrapped into one. The show and the acting are great. I highly recommend it. Watch now on Apple TV.

The Umbrella Academy

A family of former child heroes, now grown apart, must reunite to continue to protect the world. -IMDB

Season 3 of The Umbrella Academy just premiered on Netflix. Season 3 is just as fun and silly as ever, with a new problem for the group to resolve. All seasons are now streaming on Netflix

I’m a multi-tasker so I love to pop on a good show and fold laundry, stretch, or just walk on my treadmill. I hope you enjoy my recommendations and have a great summer!

[paolos83blog]

Was 'The Staircase' murder really about life insurance?

It’s been 21 years since novelist Michael Peterson was on trial for the murder of his wife, Kathleen, but the case is still capturing the public’s attention — most recently in an HBO Max series, “The Staircase.”

In December 2001, Peterson called 911 to report he found his wife unconscious at the bottom of the stairs in their Durham, North Carolina, home. Peterson told the police that he and his wife had been drinking, and his wife took a sleeping pill and had likely fallen down the stairs. The police didn’t believe him and arrested him for her murder.

Peterson’s case has been the subject of a French 2004 documentary miniseries, also titled “The Staircase,” as well as many true crime podcasts and four books, including two written by Peterson.

“It’s a perfect storm of all the true crime tropes,” says Brooke Cain, a reporter for the News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, who has covered the case for years. “When I’m asked why are so many people interested in this case, I say, ‘Who wouldn’t be? This case has everything. Murder, sex, and money.’”

The case has an abundance of twists and turns. During its investigation, the prosecution discovered that a close friend and neighbor of Peterson’s, Elizabeth Ratliff, the mother of his two adopted daughters, Margaret and Martha, was also found dead at the bottom of a staircase in Germany in 1985.

The case also involved the potential for a large life insurance payout. Kathleen had a $1.4 million life insurance policy, which was due to be paid to Michael in the event of her death. Prosecutors said Peterson was hoping to use the payout to address his debt [1] , including $143,000 in credit card debt.

Life insurance & murder

Peterson signed away any claim to the life insurance proceeds during the trial. However, because of the slayer rule, Peterson wouldn’t have been able to collect any money. Under the slayer rule, anyone suspected of murder or plotting a murder is prevented from benefiting from the dead person’s life insurance policy. Instead, Kathleen’s biological daughter, Caitlin Atwater, and her daughter’s father, Fred Atwater, received the money. [2]

In the scope of insurance fraud, life insurance murders aren’t a huge occurrence but they do happen, says Matthew J. Smith, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. For instance, in 2017, Joaquin Shadow Rams Sr., was convicted of killing his 15-month-old son for insurance money. Rams had taken out a $500,000 life insurance policy on the boy soon after he was born, which Smith says, should have been a red flag. [3]

The amount of life insurance on Kathleen Peterson wouldn’t have raised any eyebrows, Smith says. However, insurance agents need to pay attention to what people are saying, or if anyone is voicing a concern. “If someone says, ‘My marriage isn’t going well,’ and then their spouse buys a large life insurance policy, that is the type of indicator that people need to come forward with to protect a life,” Smith says.

The insurance industry trains underwriters, agents and claims teams on potential red flags to prevent life insurance fraud, Smith says. “It might not be a murder but it could be identify theft,” Smith says.

In the end, Peterson was found guilty of Kathleen’s murder in 2003, but was granted a new trial in 2011 when it came to light that a prosecution witness gave false testimony. Peterson took an Alford plea to settle the case in 2017 — basically acknowledging that there was enough evidence to potentially convict while minimizing any criminal penalties. He was freed from prison after serving 89 months behind bars.

Peterson still lives in Durham, according to Cain, who occasionally corresponds with him. “If you like true crime, this story has everything that keeps one interested,” she says.

Credits: Lisa Rabasca Roepe

Source: https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/news/staircase-michael-peterson/

Date: June 1, 2022

[dovebuffy92]

Spoilers Below

INTRODUCTION

In The Staircase Episode Four, “Common Sense,” directed by Antonio Campos, the Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette) Murder trial causes the Peterson-Ratliff family to crumble apart. “Common Sense” opens with Michael Peterson (Colin Firth) and his French girlfriend, Sophie Brunet (Juliette Binoche), entering the Durham County Courthouse on February 24, 2017. Michael walks into a courtroom while Sophie waits outside. A little bit later, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (Vincent Vermignon) interviews Sophie.

 Most of the Peterson-Ratliff clan sits through the trial to support Michael. They sometimes stay during supremely uncomfortable testimony. However, the family “screw up” Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) stays in Baltimore because nobody wants him at the trial. Defense lawyer David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Michael bully Martha Ratliff (Odessa Young) into staying for the state pathologist’s testimony. The prosecution shows Kathleen’s horrific autopsy photographs. Jean-Xavier continues to document the trial and send tapes back to Paris so the editor can begin her work.

The pathologist finds that Elizabeth Ratliff didn’t die from a brain hemorrhage. Instead, she and Kathleen share similar head wounds pointing toward foul play. Margaret Ratliff (Sophie Turner) feels guilty for granting the prosecution permission to dig up her biological mother’s body. The former Ratliff babysitter, Angus Schaffer’s testimony, shakes Martha to the core. Angus suspected Michael of hurting Kathleen because he is the one who said Elizabeth died of a brain hemorrhage and abused his sons. After seeing Elizabeth’s autopsy results, Clayton rushes home to mixed reception.

Forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee (Wilky Lau) testifies that he believes that Kathleen died from multiple falls. Prosecutor Jim Hardin (Cullen Moss) can’t force the doctor to change his story. David feels like Dr. Lee’s testimony is the perfect end to the defense’s case, but now Michael wants to talk directly to the jury.

While fixing up a car, Clayton finds the clean blow poke that the prosecution said was the murder weapon. The defense team advises Clayton on how to answer questions in court. The siblings verbally attack one another when the eldest son’s domestic abuse charges come up. Michael stops the fight in its track by announcing he will testify about the blow poke.

David explains that if Michael testifies, the prosecution will ask him why he lied about receiving a Purple Heart. The author tells David about how he earned other military medals during the Vietnam war. Michael dragged his dying best friend into a foxhole. He held the other soldier until he died. The lawyer explains to Michael that the jury might assume that his story about a seasoned military veteran freezing up instead of conducting CPR on his dying wife is another lie. In the end, the novelist decides not to testify. Instead, David closes the case after introducing the missing blow poke. The prosecution panics now that they no longer have a murder weapon.

Prosecutor Freda Black’s (Parker Posey) fiery closing statement pulls on the juror’s emotions while David points out all the reasonable doubt in their case against his client. The jury finds Michael guilty. Flashbacks reveal Michael beat Kathleen to death on the stairs. Kathleen found the gay porn on his computer. She planned to divorce Michael, which he couldn’t allow. Back in the present, Jean-Xavier hugs the sobbing novelist in his last few moments of freedom.

The last sequence of the episode reveals that Sophie is the editor of The Staircase docu-series. Sophie writes to Michael in English, promising that she will tell his story. A story where he is the innocent intellectual widower found guilty by close-minded conservative Southerners. The editor plays Jean-Xavier, and producer Denis Poncet (Frank Feys) screens her first rough cut.

QUESTIONS OF JUSTICE

Sophie reveals her philosophy about justice during her 2007 interview with Jean-Xavier. The documentary crew films Sophie inside an empty courtroom. The director asks if Sophie thinks today’s proceedings prove that the American justice system works. She shrugs. Sophie states that it depends on one’s definition of justice.

There is a cut to the Paris editing suite as the post-production staff opens boxes full of trial tapes. The assistant editor starts editing a sequence about the trial. Sophie’s voice-over explains that a trial is just two sides trying to tell the best story. Then the jurors pick which side they believe. The winner’s story becomes justice. The assistant editor edits together a shot of a female juror looking shocked and Freda cross-examining a Gay man about what sex acts he was ready to perform with Michael. These two shots are entirely unconnected but editing them next to each other makes the juror look homophobic. The juror may have been reacting to an autopsy picture or some other piece of testimony. She may not even have a problem with queer men or women. The human mind creates a story if two images are placed next to each other, even if it’s not based on reality.

 Now that we know that Sophie plans to paint Michael as a persecuted widower, it’s apparent that she is manipulating footage to tell her version of the story. Editing is always about making choices, but it’s hard to create an ethical account of events when you love your subject. The editor doesn’t care about attempting to tell the truth, only creating a seductive narrative that convinces the public to side with Michael. She wants to make “justice.”

A little later, Sophie’s voice-over interview states that justice is a construct that can affect somebody’s whole life. In other words, justice is not real. The editor is shirking her responsibility to seek justice through the documentary by denying it exists. Sophie’s ethics allow her to edit a bluntly subjective docu-series because she doesn’t think she owes the victim anything.

SISTERS TORN APART

Before this episode, Michael’s actions destroyed his family, but small moments of connection reveal that there is still a sisterly bond between the Ratliff siblings and Caitlin Atwater (Olivia DeJonge). Caitlin broke off from the Peterson-Ratliff-Atwater family because she believes Michael killed her mother. Everybody in Michael’s camp practically disowned her. Caitlin’s aunts also forced her to give up on a relationship with the Ratliff sisters because they couldn’t let go of their last living parent. Candance’s only sympathies are with her dead sister. The young adult sisters’ love for each other bleeds into the background of the trial.

Martha freaks out after seeing enlarged photos of Kathleen’s autopsy during the pathologist’s testimony. She falls into herself as the pathologist explains what’s happening in the images. Martha cries audibly. Caitlin, concerned, glances at Martha from across the aisle. She wants to comfort her little sister. They are all struggling with these horrific images of their mother.

Caitlin’s love for her two sisters affects how she hears Michael being found guilty. Instead of celebrating, she silently cries after witnessing Martha and Margaret sobbing in each other’s arms. Caitlin understands how hard it is to lose a parent. The Ratliff sisters have lost four. She runs into the women’s bathroom to throw up. When Caitlin finally exits the bathroom, her aunts guide her away. The Peterson family usher Martha and Margaret in the opposite direction. The press hounds both sides with flashing cameras and probing questions. The three sisters look back at each other. They all stare into each other’s eyes with desperation. Nobody wins at the end of a murder trial. Martha, Margaret, and Caitlin wish they could be leaving the courthouse together instead of being forced apart forever because they chose different sides.

LAST THOUGHTS

Michael destroyed his whole family when he murdered Kathleen. Let us know what you think of “Common Sense” in the comments below.

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'The Staircase' review: Colin Firth stars in an HBO Max series that adds new levels to Michael Peterson's murder trial

‘The Staircase’ review: Colin Firth stars in an HBO Max series that adds new levels to Michael Peterson’s murder trial

The patriarch of a sprawling blended North Carolina family, Peterson wound up being tried and convicted for the death of his wife Kathleen (Toni Collette), who was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in the couple’s mansion after her husband’s frantic 911 call. Suspicion quickly turned to Peterson, a novelist, though the questions of motive unleashed an entirely separate dimension to the…