Dahmer Victims Family Lawyer Slams Emmy Nominations for Ryan Murphy Series

Thomas M. Jacobson, the former Milwaukee attorney who represented eight of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims’ families, took issue with the 13 nominations for the Ryan Murphy-created Netflix limited series “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” following the Television Academy’s announcement of this year’s honorees Wednesday.

In a statement to TheWrap, the lawyer said that giving awards to shows like “Dahmer” “contributes to glamorizing or desensitizing violence and crime in society.

“By celebrating and rewarding these portrayals, there is a risk of normalizing the actions of individuals like Dahmer, potentially desensitizing audiences to the real-life consequences of violence,” Jacob wrote.

“Dahmer” picked up 13 Emmy nods, including Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for Evan Peters, who played Dahmer, Best Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins) and Best Supporting Actress (Niecy Nash-Betts). The show also received a nomination for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

“In a violent society like the U.S., it is essential to question the morality of profiting from true crime stories that exploit the suffering of victims and their families,” Jacobson added. “The entertainment industry, including award shows, can influence public opinion and shape societal values. With the influence comes a moral responsibility to consider the potential consequences of the content they produce and reward.

“It is essential to question whether awarding shows like the ‘Dahmer’ series aligns with the broader goal of fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society,” he said.

“Dahmer” was a massive hit for Netflix upon its release in Sept. 2022. After representing eight of the 11 victims’ families after Dahmer’s trial in 1992, Jacobson worked so neither Dahmer nor his estate could ever profit from his crimes. He’s been a vocal opponent of Murphy’s show since before its premiere.

Murphy previously said the show’s production reached out to the victims’ families and received no response (though many family members and friends have said publicly no one involved with the show tried to contact them.)

“Failure to notify or involve victims’ families in producing such shows demonstrates a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards those directly affected by the crimes,” Jacobson said in the statement. “It disregards the potential retraumatization or distress these families may experience upon seeing their tragedies reenacted for public consumption.”

Read Jacobson’s full letter to TheWrap below:

This message has been edited for style and clarity.

The Television Academy Emmy Award Nominees were announced this morning. Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series, “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” has been nominated for 13 Emmys, including Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series (Evan Peters as Dahmer), Best Supporting Actor (Richard Jenkins), Best Supporting Actress (Niecy Nash-Betts), and a nomination for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

In a violent society like the U.S., it is essential to question the morality of profiting from true crime stories that exploit the suffering of victims and their families. Awarding Emmys to shows like the Jeffrey Dahmer series contributes to glamorizing or desensitizing violence and crime in society. By celebrating and rewarding these portrayals, there is a risk of normalizing the actions of individuals like Dahmer, potentially desensitizing audiences to the real-life consequences of violence.

The entertainment industry, including award shows, can influence public opinion and shape societal values. With the influence comes a moral responsibility to consider the potential consequences of the content they produce and reward. It is essential to question whether awarding shows like the Dahmer series aligns with the broader goal of fostering a more peaceful and compassionate society.

The Dahmer series sensationalized and profited from true crime aficionados’ insatiable appetite for gore and the grotesque without considering the feelings and obtaining the consent of the victim’s families before their exploitation. By capitalizing on the suffering and pain of others, this show prioritized profit and entertainment value over the emotional well-being and privacy of the victim’s loved ones.

Failure to notify or involve victims’ families in producing such shows demonstrates a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards those directly affected by the crimes. It disregards the potential retraumatization or distress these families may experience upon seeing their tragedies reenacted for public consumption.

The production and distribution of true crime shows carry ethical responsibilities. It is crucial to engage with victim families, show respect for their experiences and seek their consent and input whenever possible. Prior notifications, input, and compensation for cooperation can allow families to make informal decisions about their involvement and ensure the right to privacy and dignity in the aftermath of a tragedy. By not seeking their participation or consent, this show violated those rights and further exploited and exacerbated the emotional burden they already carry.

There are alternative approaches for Netflix and Ryan Murphy to produce future true crime narratives that prioritize ethical considerations. Collaboration with victim families, compensation, providing a platform to share their experiences and perspectives, and prior notice are a few suggestions.

Criticizing the morality and ethics of awarding actors Emmys for portraying not just the serial killer but cloning Rita Isbell, a victim family member, can be a complex and subjective matter. The choice to award actors for their performances in roles like Jeffrey Dahmer, a real-life serial killer, and Rita Isbell, a real-life victim family member, could be seen as a form of sensationalism exploiting the suffering of victims and their families for entertainment.

The 13 Emmy Nominations and continued pomp and circumstance surrounding the Dahmer series glorify and romanticizes the monster’s actions and motivations resulting in further trauma for the victims’ families.