Kitty Genovese Good Samaritan Laws

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1. Who was Kitty Genovese and why is her death still discussed in criminal justice studies today?

Catherine Genovese also known as Kitty was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 7, 1935. Her parents’ names were Vincent and Rachel Genovese. Kitty was known for the energy and enthusiasm of life. In her school, she was a popular person who enjoyed her English and music classes and was also known as a chatterbox. This young girl was charming and attractive that she was elected between her all girl high school and her graduating class of 712 students as the “Class Cut-Up” in 1953. Her family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut after she graduated high school, but she did not move with them, instead, she loved the city and she decided to stay to …show more content…

They were really close as brother and sister; they had a close relationship that the other brothers did not have with her. Bill is looking for a sense of closure to his sister’s death and he felt that by him doing the documentary would give him what he was looking for but instead it lead him to a reality of lies about his sister’s death.

4. How does this case affect “Good Samaritan Laws”? What influence did it have and for what reason?

Good Samaritan refers to a person who aids in an emergency to a stranger and injured person in a voluntary manner. The Good Samaritan Law does not obligate to do first aid to an injured or ill person unless is part of their job description in most states. This affect happened because of Kitty’s death and also the 911 systems were develop, which at the time they had to call the 0 operator or the police directly to their phone number. This was caused due to the 38 empathetic bystanders who supposedly did nothing to help her while being raped and murdered, as previously know but not anymore.

5. Do you believe the “38 respectable, law-abiding citizens”, simply ignored the situation, knowing Kitty was being murdered, or is some other reason to blame for lack of …show more content…

For example, in the film the person who called the police and was told that it was already reported. This tells me that the police did not respond in the appropriate time that they should have responded. Secondly, they did not mention her friend that was there when she was dying and that she held her by the stairs. That portion of the friend being there brought so much comfort to Bill Genovese to know that she did not die by herself that instead she had her best friend by her side.

6. Why or why not did you find this film interesting? (Short answer, opinions are acceptable.)

I find this film interesting because I found a lot of information that I did not know of the cause that this young lady had in our society today. It is because of her we have two important things, first the Good Samaritan Law and secondly the 911 operating system. I am saddened by her death and the way she was murdered by her attacker. But I am glad that her death was not in vain, actions were taken after her death and for that we have to thank the Genovese family for what they have given to

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