Bryan Kohberger’s handwritten plea to withdraw his guilty plea is just the latest episode in a true crime saga that has corporate media drooling over ratings. It’s almost comical how outlets like CNN and Fox News are swinging into action, playing judge and jury while conveniently glossing over the complexities of the legal system. Their sensationalism is palpable; it’s almost as if they’re more interested in stirring up outrage than in delivering justice for the families affected by these heinous crimes.

Let’s be honest: mainstream media loves a good drama. In their eyes, Kohberger is less a tragic figure and more a two-dimensional character plucked straight from a crime thriller. They want us to empathize with the “murderer in despair” angle while forgetting the real victims—four young lives brutally snuffed out at the University of Idaho. The narrative they spin holds no accountability—it purely serves their interests and, worse, distorts public perception of what justice should really look like.

Why is it that every move Kohberger makes ends up analyzed through a sensationalist lens? There’s a distinct lack of nuanced reporting from the likes of NBC, who choose to parade this as more fodder for their “true crime” machine. Meanwhile, critical discussions on mental health, systemic failures in law enforcement, and societal culpability are shoved off the stage. We must question why such important dialogues are buried beneath absurd headlines and clickbait.

It’s time for consumers of this news to wake up! Don’t be seduced by the spectacle; demand more than just the rehashed drama that media outlets shove down our throats. Authentic justice deserves more respect than that.