Episode 418: To Catch a Predator: The Death of Bill Conradt - Part 1

“Have a seat.” A simple command was made into a meme after one journalist said it time and again to the child abusers he faced. While online predators made their way to children’s homes, he shone a light on the act and a camera on their faces. But when the last sting went wrong, he and the operation were vilified as a result. This week’s episode is To Catch a Predator: The Death of Bill Conradt - Part 1.

SOURCE
Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die, Esquire: https://archive.ph/duI1V

Predators (2025) Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34963732/

Conradt v. NBC Universal (lawsuit): https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914b331add7b04934764a32

Murphy City Manager, Council, "Part Ways," The Wylie News (2007): https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth584048/m1/2/

Catch and Release: Procedural Unfairness on Primetime Television and the Perceived Legitimacy of the Law, Northwestern Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (2010): https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7355&context=jclc

Rabbi Guilty in Child Sex Case, The Washington Post: https://archive.is/wdFpL

'To Catch a Predator' Police Chief Fired, ABC News: https://abcnews.com/Blotter/story?id=4956588&page=1

NBC stung by criticism of sex-predator show, Cape Cod Times: https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2007/08/16/nbc-stung-by-criticism-sex/52819413007/

Rabbi Considers Appeal, Kaye Sentenced for Sex Crime Charges, Washington Jewish Week: https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/11_12/2006_12_06_Fingerhut_RabbiConsiders.htm

Convicted of soliciting a minor, rabbi is banned from D.C.-area synagogue, JTA: https://www.jta.org/2012/10/04/united-states/convicted-of-soliciting-a-minor-rabbi-is-banned-from-d-c-area-synagogue

Online Solicitation of a Minor, Texas Penal Code: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=PE&chapter=PE.33&artSec=