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Texas Woman Sues 'Predator' Over Suicide

Brother shot himself when police, camera crew burst into home

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Jul 24, 2007 12:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – The sister of an alleged Texan pedophile who committed suicide when police and and an NBC camera crew tried to catch him in a sex-predator sting is suing the TV network for $105 million. Louis Conradt Jr., who was a local district attorney, was ambushed in his home when he failed to appear at a rendezvous that adults posing online as children had set up for an episode of To Catch a Predator.

Conradt shot himself in the head as  police forced their way into the home. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, charges that the circumstances of the sting and Conradt's standing in the community made his suicide "reasonably foreseeable." It also alleges that the network has engaged in a "pattern of bribery" of local law enforcement officials to collaborate on the stings.

Hansen interviews a suspect in this screenshot of a prototypical Predator situation. However, in the case of Louis William Conradt Jr., the show's aggressive techniques drove him over the edge.
Hansen interviews a suspect in this screenshot of a prototypical "Predator" situation. However, in the case of Louis William Conradt Jr., the show's aggressive techniques drove him over the edge.   (Wikimedia Commons)
NBC studios in New York. Patricia Conradt sued NBC Universal Inc. in U.S. District court in Manhattan, Monday for $105 million dollars, accusing them of usurping police duties and failing to protect her brother's rights.
NBC studios in New York. Patricia Conradt sued NBC Universal Inc. in U.S. District court in Manhattan, Monday for $105 million dollars, accusing them of usurping police duties and failing to protect her...   (Wikimedia Commons)
This undated studio portrait, provided by NBC Universal, shows NBC News reporter Chris Hansen, who hosts the Dateline NBC series titled To Catch a Predator. (AP Photo/NBC Universal, Virginia Sherwood)
This undated studio portrait, provided by NBC Universal, shows NBC News reporter Chris Hansen, who hosts the "Dateline NBC" series titled "To Catch a Predator." (AP Photo/NBC Universal, Virginia Sherwood)   (Associated Press)
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Man treated no better than "gladiator or bull"
Associated Press

Second lawsuit in three months against NBC show
Reuters

 
suicide • media criticism • lawsuit • sexual predator

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