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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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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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 ...
Kitty Genovese's Life and Character
Kitty Genovese's murder remains a prominent example of urban apathy although recent revelations suggest the tale is more complex than originally reported.
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.
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.
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 ...
The Details and Aftermath of Her Murder
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.
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 ...
Media's Role and Lasting Impact
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 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.
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.
Winston Mosley remained incarcerated until his death in prison at the age of 81 in 2016, after being denied parole numerous times.
The Perpetrator's Background and Later Actions
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