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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

By iHeartPodcasts

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the story of Kitty Genovese, a young woman murdered in Queens in 1964, and how media coverage of her death influenced public perception and social change. The summary examines Genovese's life as an independent bar manager in New York City, her relationship with Mary Ann Zalonko, and the circumstances surrounding her tragic death.

The episode details how The New York Times' report of 38 witnesses who allegedly did nothing to help shaped the public narrative, though this account was later debunked. The summary also covers the case's lasting impact, including the creation of the 911 emergency system and the development of psychological research on the "bystander effect," as well as the background of perpetrator Winston Mosley and his subsequent life in prison.

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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

1-Page Summary

Kitty Genovese's Life and Character

Kitty Genovese was a vibrant and independent woman from Brooklyn who made her mark in New York City. Known as the class clown and a natural leader, she shared a particularly close bond with her younger brother Bill, despite their significant age difference. After her family moved to Connecticut, Kitty chose to remain in NYC at age 18, where she worked various jobs before becoming a bar manager at Ev's 11th Hour in Hollis. She lived with her partner Mary Ann Zalonko, whom she met at a Greenwich Village lesbian bar, though their relationship remained largely unacknowledged due to the social climate of the 1960s.

The Details and Aftermath of Her Murder

Winston Mosley followed and brutally attacked Kitty Genovese near her Queens apartment. While some neighbors attempted to help—including Robert Moser, who shouted at Mosley, temporarily causing him to flee, and Sophia Farrar, who came to Kitty's aid as she lay dying—the attack proved fatal. Contrary to initial reports, most of the supposed 38 witnesses were actually ear witnesses who didn't see the full attack, and at least three people attempted to call the police.

Media's Role and Lasting Impact

The New York Times significantly shaped public perception by reporting that 38 people watched the murder without helping, a narrative that was later debunked. Despite its inaccuracies, this story led to meaningful changes, including the creation of the 911 emergency system and the study of the "bystander effect" in psychology.

The Perpetrator's Background and Later Actions

Winston Mosley had already killed two other women before murdering Kitty Genovese. After his conviction, he was initially sentenced to death, later reduced to life imprisonment. Despite earning a degree in prison and claiming reform, Mosley was denied parole 18 times and escaped twice, committing additional crimes before being recaptured. He died in custody at age 81 in 2016. In the documentary "The Witness," Bill Genovese confronted Mosley's son about the false narratives his father had created about the murder, revealing the ongoing pain and complexity surrounding the case.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can enhance your community's safety by organizing a neighborhood watch program that encourages active participation and prompt reporting of suspicious activities. Explain to your neighbors the importance of looking out for each other and establish a communication chain for sharing information quickly. Use social media or messaging apps to create a group where members can report concerns and coordinate with local law enforcement for guidance on best practices.
  • Develop a personal safety plan that includes strategies for being aware of your surroundings, identifying safe places in your neighborhood, and knowing the contact information for local emergency services. Practice scenarios with friends or family where you act out what to do in case of an emergency, such as a mock call to 911, to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively.
  • Encourage critical thinking about media reports by starting a book club or discussion group that focuses on analyzing true crime stories and the narratives presented in the media. Select books or articles that delve into cases like Kitty Genovese's, and discuss how media framing can impact public perception. Use these discussions to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities behind crime reporting and the importance of seeking out the full story.

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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

Kitty Genovese's Life and Character

Kitty Genovese's vibrant spirit and independence marked her as a noteworthy individual, whose life story is often overshadowed by her tragic death.

Kitty Genovese: A Vibrant Woman From Brooklyn Who Moved To NYC

Kitty, the Class Clown and Leader of Her Friend Group, Had a Close Relationship With Her Younger Brother Bill

Kitty Genovese was known as independent and lively. Not only was she the class clown and the leader of her friend group, but she also had a special bond with her younger brother, Bill. Despite an age gap of about 12 or 13 years, Bill greatly admired Kitty. She was seen as amazing and cool, an older sibling who gave worldly wisdom without the usual sibling rivalry.

Kitty Worked Various Jobs In NYC, Including Bar Manager, and Lived With Partner Mary Ann

Defying Her Family's Concerns, Kitty Pursued Her Path

In New York City, Kitty Genovese forged her path working various jobs. She started as a secretary and a waitress before finding her true calling in the hospitality industry. Kitty eventually became a barmaid bartender and later a bar manager at a local spot named Ev's 11th Hour in Hollis, where she earned a good living.

She was notable for driving a red Fiat convertible, which added to her distinctive presence. Kitty met her partner, Mary Ann Zalonko, at an underground lesbian bar in Greenw ...

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Kitty Genovese's Life and Character

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Explore your city's history by visiting neighborhoods with a rich cultural past, like Greenwich Village, to gain a deeper appreciation for the communities that shaped modern social movements. By walking the streets, visiting local landmarks, and perhaps finding a guided tour, you can connect with the stories of people who, like Kitty Genovese, found camaraderie and identity in these places.
  • Embrace leadership in your social circle by organizing a regular event or activity that brings friends together, fostering a sense of community and fun. This could be a weekly game night, a book club, or a group volunteer project, which can help you become a central figure in your friend group, much like Kitty was known to be.
  • Celebrate the sp ...

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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

The Details and Aftermath of Her Murder

Kitty Genovese's murder remains a prominent example of urban apathy although recent revelations suggest the tale is more complex than originally reported.

Kitty Murdered by Winston Mosley In Brutal Attack

Kitty Genovese was followed home and brutally attacked by Winston Mosley. Driving her red Fiat, Genovese didn't notice Mosley's pursuit until it was too late. After parking near her apartment in Queens, New York, Kitty was approached by Mosley, armed with a knife. Mosley attacked her, leaving Kitty to cry out for help, which caught the attention of nearby residents.

During the attack, a neighbor, Robert Moser, attempted to scare off Mosley by shouting from his window, which temporarily caused Mosley to flee. However, believing the lack of active intervention as a clear way to proceed, Mosley changed his appearance with a different hat and resumed his vicious attack on Genovese within her building's vestibule.

Mosley Stalked, Stabbed, and Attempted to Sexually Assault Kitty; Bystanders Heard Her Cries but Did Not Intervene

Contrary to the initial reports, there was intervention from a neighbor; Sophia Farrar, who was also Kitty's friend, came to her aid as she lay dying. This critical detail was omitted from the original narrative that claimed a complete lack of assistance from all neighbors.

Another resident, Carl Ross, witnessed the attack but did not immediately intervene. Instead, he called a friend for advice, who cautioned him against involvement.

Murder Symbolized Urban Apathy Amid Complex Details

Few Witnesses Called the Police; Many Didn't See the Full Attack or Were too Afraid to Intervene

The murder of Kitty Genovese became symbolic of urban apathy when The New York Times inaccurately reported that 38 people watched the attack and did nothing, a narrative that has been widely debunked. Further investigations revealed that most of the so-called 38 witnesses did not fully wit ...

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The Details and Aftermath of Her Murder

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Kitty Genovese was a young woman who was brutally attacked and murdered in Queens, New York, in 1964. The case gained widespread attention due to initial reports that suggested many witnesses saw or heard the attack but did not intervene. This led to discussions about the bystander effect and urban apathy. Subsequent investigations revealed a more nuanced and complex situation than originally portrayed, with some neighbors attempting to help Kitty during the attack.
  • Winston Moseley was the man who followed and attacked Kitty Genovese. He approached her with a knife near her apartment in Queens, New York, and proceeded to assault her. Moseley's attack on Kitty included stalking, stabbing, and attempting to sexually assault her. Despite some attempts by neighbors to intervene, Moseley continued his brutal attack on Kitty.
  • Robert Moser attempted to scare off the attacker by shouting from his window during the initial attack on Kitty Genovese. Sophia Farrar, a friend of Kitty, came to her aid as she lay dying, a critical detail omitted from the original narrative. Carl Ross witnessed the attack but hesitated to intervene, seeking advice from a friend instead of immediately stepping in.
  • The initial reports of Kitty Genovese's murder suggested that 38 witnesses saw the attack and did nothing, highlighting urban apathy. However, further investigations revealed that most witnesses did not witness the full attack and were not in a position to intervene physically. The narrative of widespread apathy was debunked, with clarifications showing that some individuals did attempt to help, challenging the initial sensationalized account. The case sparked discussions on the bystander effect and the complexities of human behavior in emergency situations.
  • The New York Times initially reported that 38 witnesses watched Kitty Genovese's attack and did nothing, but subsequent investigations revealed this was exaggerated. Most witnesses did not see the full ...

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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

Media's Role and Lasting Impact

Nyt Exaggerated Story, Claiming Dozens of Witnesses Did Nothing

The New York Times significantly influenced public perception of Kitty Genovese's murder by shaping a powerful narrative. They ran a story stating that 38 people watched Genovese's murder and did nothing, though it was initially not considered newsworthy until the city editor, Abe Rosenthal, learned about the purported inaction of the witnesses from the police commissioner.

The narrative that 37 or 38 people witnessed the crime and actively chose to ignore it, promoted by the New York Times under the title "37 Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police," turned out to be misleading. The Times had reported that the murder took place over three separate attacks spanning 30 minutes during which witnesses did nothing, a mischaracterization of the events. A Times article in 2004 and a documentary later exonerated the Kew Gardens community, showing more nuances to the story than initially reported.

False Narrative Prompted 911 System and "Bystander Effect" Studies

The media coverage and the implications of witnesses' inaction contributed to significant societal changes. The false narrative around Genovese's case sparked the creation of the 911 emergency system and studies into the "bystander effect." The murder led to the establishment of the system that allows for quick reporting to the authorities. Additionally, it prompted a whole field of psychological study into the "bysta ...

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Media's Role and Lasting Impact

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Kitty Genovese was a young woman who was brutally murdered in 1964 in Queens, New York. The case gained widespread attention due to initial reports that claimed numerous witnesses saw the attack but did not intervene or call for help. This incident led to discussions about the "bystander effect" and the diffusion of responsibility in emergencies. Subsequent investigations revealed more complexities to the story, challenging the initial narrative presented by the media.
  • The New York Times initially reported that 38 witnesses did nothing during Kitty Genovese's murder, suggesting a callous indifference. However, it was later revealed that the events were mischaracterized. The murder did not unfold as a continuous, unobserved event over 30 minutes as initially portrayed. Subsequent investigations and reports showed a more nuanced and complex situation than the initial Times article suggested.
  • The false narrative surrounding Kitty Genovese's murder, which claimed that numerous witnesses did nothing to help, led to public outrage and a perception of urban apathy. This narrative influenced the decision to establish the 911 emergency system, aiming to provide a direct line for reporting emergencies to authorities promptly. The idea was to ensure that help could be summoned swiftly in situations where individuals might hesitate to intervene due to the diffusion of responsibility among bystanders. This system was a direct response to the perceived failure of bystanders to act in the Kitty Genovese case.
  • The bystander effect is a social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present. This diffusion of responsibility occurs because people feel less accountable for taking action when others are around. Studies on these behaviors aim to understand why people sometimes fail to intervene in situations where help is needed, even though they might act differently when alone. The presenc ...

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Selects: The Kitty Genovese Story

The Perpetrator's Background and Later Actions

Winston Mosley's criminal history and the aftermath of his most notorious crime—the murder of Kitty Genovese—are examined, revealing a pattern of violence and highlighting the lasting impact on the families involved.

Winston Mosley Killed two Women Before Kitty's Murder

Winston Mosley had already killed two other women before he murdered Kitty Genovese. On the night of Genovese's murder, Mosley admitted to being out with the intent to kill. He very matter-of-factly confessed to killing Genovese and claimed responsibility for the deaths of 15-year-old Barbara Kralik and Annie Mae Johnson, both of whom had been sexually assaulted.

Mosley, Sentenced To Life, Escaped Twice and Committed More Crimes Before Recapture

Although Mosley was not tried for these two additional murders, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for Genovese's murder. The insanity plea was unsuccessful, and he was initially sentenced to death. This sentence was reduced to life imprisonment when the death penalty was eliminated for most crimes in the jurisdiction. Mosley claimed reform, even earning a degree in prison and writing an editorial that was published in the New York Times. Despite these efforts, he was denied parole 18 times by the parole board. Mosley escaped from prison twice and committed more crimes before he was recaptured.

Mosley Denied Parole 18 Times, Dies In Custody At 81

Winston Mosley remained incarcerated until his death in prison at the age of 81 in 2016, after being denied parole numerous times.

Mosley's Family and Kitty's Brother Bill's Interactions in "the Witness" Highlight the Ca ...

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The Perpetrator's Background and Later Actions

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore the impact of historical crimes on modern law by researching how cases like Mosley's have influenced current legislation on parole and life sentences. This might involve looking up state laws, noting any changes over the years, and considering how high-profile cases have shaped public opinion and policy.
  • Create a personal safety plan by learning from the circumstances of the Genovese case. This could include identifying safe routes home, sharing your location with trusted friends or family when out late, and taking self-defense classes to empower yourself in potentially dangerous situations.
  • Engage with the stories of victims ...

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