Why it's not entrapment (Stone Phillips, Dateline anchor)

[The Straight Story]

(thought I would post this based on other threads here of late on the topic)

Why it's not entrapment (Stone Phillips, Dateline anchor)

They'rrrrre back! More on-line prowlers showing up for what they believe is a date with an underaged teen. And once again, when confronted by Chris Hansen and our Dateline cameras, their excuses are almost as outrageous as their online behavior. This is the third installment of our "To Catch A Predator" investigation and each time the results just seem to get more disturbing.

Having said that, I wonder if you found yourself asking some of the same questions I did when we started this series: When these "home alone" meetings are arranged, who actually suggests that the men come over? Is it the men themselves? Or is it the Perverted-Justice decoy engaging them online? How careful is Perverted-Justice not to lure people into doing something that with less encouragement they might not do? Is there an element of entrapment here?

Clearly, no arms are twisted to get these men to engage in sexually explicit online chats. And since the stated intent of the house visit is to have sex with a minor, the ultimate responsibility lies with the men who come knocking on the door, no matter who initiates the meeting. These men should not go there, period. But for any of you who might be curious, as I was, about how these meetings are set up, Perverted-Justice keeps a record of every online exchange and detailed notes of each phone conversation. The transcripts show how the online contact begins, progresses and culminates in a date.

Related blogs

* Chris Hansen's predator taping journal
* Security: Staying safe while confronting potential predators

In many cases, the decoy is the first to bring up the subject of sex. However, the transcripts show that once the hook is baited, the fish jump and run with it like you wouldn't believe. These Internet prowlers not only seize upon the sex talk, they take it to disturbing levels of lewdness with startling speed. In fact, most of the chats become so ribald and rank that Dateline only broadcasts a small portion. Reading through the full texts, it is difficult not to feel dazed, amazed and disgusted.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11131562/#060201a

[RazzleDazzle]

1. I've been watching it

Tho I have to say I am questioning the wisdom of my decision on that.

It's disgusting, absolutely disgusting. What amazes me additionally is how many men signed up for this in just a 2-day period. Makes my heart hurt that there are so many wounded men who are so willing to prey on young boys and girls, and spread the woundedness around.

[The Straight Story]

2. I taped it on dvr and will watch it later (and FF thru commercials) (nt)

[qanda]

3. This is absolutely disgusting!

I hope they can put these crazy men away for a long time.

[SillyGoose]

4. I haven't seen it. Although some people might disagree with Dateline

doing this, I think its a good thing. I'll bet there are many parents and kids who have no idea how easily a predator can latch onto a kid on the internet, and it also might help get some of these people off the streets.