NBC resolves lawsuit over 'To Catch a Predator' suicide

NEW YORK — NBC Universal has “amicably resolved” a $105-million lawsuit filed by a woman whose brother committed suicide during a taping of its controversial “Dateline NBC” series “To Catch a Predator,” both parties said today.

Bruce Baron, an attorney for Patricia Conradt, told The Times in an interview today that “the matter has been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”

Conradt’s brother, Louis William Conradt Jr., a 56-year-old assistant county prosecutor in a Dallas suburb, shot himself in November 2006 when officers showed up at his house as part of a pedophilia sting arranged by “Dateline.”

Patricia Conradt sued NBC last July, claiming that the network interfered with police duties and then failed to protect her brother's safety.

When asked today about the status of the suit, NBC News spokeswoman Jenny Tartikoff echoed Baron, saying “the matter has been amicably resolved.”

Both sides declined to comment on when they came to agreement or the terms of the resolution. A sealed document regarding the suit was filed with the court June 3, but the case remains open, according a spokesman for the New York Southern District Court.

The resolution of the lawsuit caps a controversial chapter for “Dateline,” which drew both ratings bonanzas and sharp critiques for its “To Catch a Predator” investigations. In the segments, which NBC began airing in 2004, the newsmagazine worked with an Internet watchdog group called Perverted Justice to contact men online who were seeking to meet underage children for sex, then lure them to a house, where they were confronted on camera. Police waiting outside then arrested the men.

Media ethicists objected to the deception used in the investigation, as well as NBC’s close relationship with law enforcement agencies in the jurisdictions where it set up stings.

NBC News executives staunchly defended the “Predator” investigations but eventually concluded the series had become too highly charged to continue. “Dateline” quietly aired its 12th and final installment of “Predator” in late December.

Tartikoff said that “Dateline” is currently focused on investigative stories about national security and the economy, adding that if the newsmagazine pursues further “Predator” segments, “we want to make sure we are complementing past investigations, not just repeating them.”

Louis Conradt was one of two dozen men in the Dallas-Fort Worth area snared by the ninth “Predator” sting in the fall of 2006. He allegedly engaged in a sexually explicit online chat with a Perverted Justice member posing as a 13-year-old boy, and then an actor invited Conradt to meet him at a decoy house NBC set up in Murphy, Texas.

But Conradt did not show up at a camera-rigged house, where “Dateline” correspondent Chris Hansen and local police were waiting, outfitted with cameras provided by NBC, Hansen later told Dallas-Fort Worth television station WFAA-TV, which did its own investigation into the incident.

The next day, a "Dateline" crew and a team of officers went to find Conradt at his home in a nearby town. "Dateline" cameras taped the scene as a police tactical team forced its way into Conradt’s house. As the officers entered, Conradt shot himself with a small-caliber semi-automatic handgun. He died later at a nearby hospital.

The incident was featured in a “To Catch a Predator” segment that aired on “Dateline” in February 2007.

In her lawsuit, Patricia Conradt accused NBC of being “concerned more with its own profits than with pedophilia.”

She claimed a police officer at the scene of the shooting told a “Dateline” producer: “That’ll make good TV.”

The network said her suit was without merit.

But in February, U.S. District Judge Denny Chin ruled that the case could go forward on claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of civil rights.

Chin dismissed some causes of action but said in his ruling that the network “placed itself squarely in the middle of a police operation, pushing the police to engage in tactics that were unnecessary and unwise, solely to generate more dramatic footage for a television show.”

“A reasonable jury could find that by doing so, NBC created a substantial risk of suicide or other harm, and that it engaged in conduct so outrageous and extreme that no civilized society should tolerate it,” Chin wrote.

At the time, NBC said it planned to fight the claim, saying it had “acted responsibly and lawfully.”

“Dateline’s” Murphy sex sting failed to net any convictions. The Collin County district attorney’s office declined to pursue more than 20 cases related to the “Predator” operation, citing problems with the evidence gathered.

--Matea Gold

matea.gold@latimes.com

Photo: "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen (NBC Media Village)

Comments

[Andy]

I think what MSNBC is doing with the To Catch a Predator show is great. I think what these people are doing or planning on doing is horrible and that them being reveled on national TV is just. I just have one problem with the episode I am currently watching. It is the episode with the three military people on it. I am a veteran myself and from personal experience I will tell you there is scum in the military as is in any form of government, Private industry, as I am sure there are working for MSNBC. The people in charge of MSNBC would, I am sure, throw a fit if someone publicly and purposely pointed out that they have caught several MSNBC's scumbags doing something horrible. I am also sure that MSNBC would separate them selves from the situation. I think it is distasteful to point out and place all of these military people in the same group and market it on your show in the way MSNBC did. I'm not condoning what these people did but MSNBC could have handled it in a more diplomatic and ethical way. Rise above the people that stoop so low MSNBC. As a veteran I took offense to how MSNBC handled the episode. There was no need to make such a big deal our of them because of their profession. Not only does it hurt the image of our military as protectors of our country it puts a damper on the current national security situation with what is going on over seas and in our own country. Please catch all the predators no matter what they do, and by all means please keep airing all of it so those that are even thinking or capable of it are possibly scared into stopping. I am asking as a veteran that served my country, was injured in the line of duty protecting this country so that I could honor those that have gone before me and gave much more than I have and those that live in this country that take the things we protected for them, please don't make it an exceptional thing that even the military has people that are very bad just like everywhere else. Thank you for reading my letter and I hope that you will take my comments into consideration in the future. I do believe that an explanation to the American people and possibly an apology to any military people present or past that are law abiding citizens that were offended would help MSNBC gain some footing again with people that watch your showas well as be the right thing to do. Thanks again.

[Mac]

The only real crime is Perverted Justice making 200K per arrest that makes an episode. Now they're calling themselves "non profit". Don't see how it can be a crime when not a single minor was involved and all of this is done by adults. If anything real predators will resolve to other tactics that will be more harmful.

[Mac]

By the way, he was shot by cops cause he pointed a gun at them. It wasn't a suicide. It was all covered up by that buddy of his who lead cops to his home.

[Laurie]

So let me get this straight. I have to miss new episodes of To Catch a Predator because this piece of scum did what all these worthless pieces of human skin should do? How in the hell could that family get that much money for this? I just can't believe it. This show did so much good. It scared these worthless pieces of crap enough that at least some of them passed on raping some poor defenseless child.

Well, so long To Catch a Predator. You left this world better than you found it. A sad but fond farewell, and a friendly kudos to Chris Hansen. I'd like to nominate that man for a Pulitzer.

[msgoode]

I love this show there are too many perverts out there that do not care about the well being of minors. I believe that this show should not end because as long as the show continues men will think twice before they get online to entice our children. Children are very nieve and suseptible to getting tricked into doing things that they should not do and someone should stay on top of this before it gets out of control.

[Mono]

most of the people posting here sound like the lynchers at the Little Rascals ritual abuse case of the 80s:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ra_edent.htm

"Summary:
In excess of 90 children accused a total of 20 adults with 429 instances of child sexual abuse in a day care center in Edenton NC. Among the alleged perpetrators were the sheriff and mayor. Allegations included a baby killed with a hand gun, a child being hung upside down from a tree and being set on fire. Nobody in town noticed a baby missing. Needless to say, charges were never laid against the mayor or sheriff.

Robin Byrum, Darlene Harris, Elizabeth "Betsy" Kelly, Robert "Bob" Kelly, Scott Willard Privott, Shelly Stone, and Dawn Wilson were charged with engaging in various sexual activities with children in the Kellys' day care in 1989. Bob Kelly and Dawn Wilson were found guilty of multiple charges of child sex abuse and given long sentences. Betsy Kelly and Willard Privott pleaded "no contest" and were released. The charges against the other three were dropped. Convictions were overturned on appeal and new trials ordered. The cases were finally settled in 1999 when all charges were dropped against Kelley.

The Cases:
These charges relate to the Little Rascal's Day Care in Edenton. It is perhaps the second most famous day care ritual abuse case in North America (after the McMartin Preschool in CA.) The PBS program Frontline has produced a series of three powerful documentary episodes on this case, called Innocence Lost. 2 It showed that the various ingredients of a typical MVMO abuse case were present in Edenton:

-no physical evidence that any actual abuse or killing happened.
-hysteria by the parents, investigators and general public.
-lack of evidence which would have been present if the children had actually been abused.
-the alleged abuse happened even as parents were coming to and fro during the day; nobody noticed anything strange at the day care center.
-the children initially denied that anything "funny" happened at the day care; but the interviewers did not believe the children.
-after months of extensive interviewing, using what are now known to be manipulative, suggestive techniques, children started to disclose abuse events. This was assisted by communications among parents who also grilled their children
-all of the documentation and tapes of the children's initial interviews were lost or destroyed.
-testimony described a long string of physically impossible or highly improbable events
-nobody seems to have asked the logical question: how could 7 to 20 adults form a conspiracy and abuse children hundreds of times, without any child complaining or without any parent noticing something amiss? "

isnt it kind of ironic how cases like this showing human rights and judicial/ethical violations and what parnaoia can bring dont seem to cause politicians, or judicial systems any different discourses since the victims were male of this treatment or adults? It seems according to Amerikkka its ok to treat adults like animals as long as ends justify means.

[Alek]

The day may come when technology would be able to recognize and exclude ad hominems. Readers of postings would be able to choose to include them or exclude them.

Even better they can include the ad hominems that attack the other side and exclude any that are directed at their side.

And then the next technological step would be to automatically hurl insults at any poster who opposes their position.

The final step would be analogous to the doomsday machine. Posters won't even have to sign on. The first salvo would in seconds result in a counterstrike.

Can't wait for the advances in artificial intelligence.

[Rick]

NBC didn't shoot him why should they pay? If he wasn't guilty he had his right to a trial. The first good thing he did in this was save his family the embarassment of that trial and shot himself. If NBC was in the way and he shot someone else or the police ended up having to shoot him I could see someones point but NBC_guilty's post seems to be just supporting perverted justice. Wanna know why I don't care those organizations exist? Cause I will never be in danger of meeting any of them.

rip Louis Conradt? Rip to all the children who have been killed by a pedophile trying to cover his trail or a kid that grew up and ended up killing himself because he developed mental problems.

Rick

[Chris]

The man shot himself. How is anyone else responsible for that?

His family shouldn't profit from his suicide.

[Jay916]

Do you see what you are saying? Glad that he is dead with a bullet in his head? I do not like child molesters at all, but no person has the right to "be glad" or condemn any mans' death, that's the Lords' job. A mans actions, which if it's against the law, is what our justice system is for. If I caught a man in my house with my teenage child, I would for sure kill him on the spot for a crime of passion and lawful action. If it's out of my jurisdiction that's when I will let God and the justice system do their job only then. Btw, I hate the show How to Catch a Predator. Manipulative entertainment which feeds on human fears for money, of course, and ratings.

[tara allen]

luvvv yur show like seriouslyyy

[kimberly burke]

I am very sorry for this man's sister, but not for the children he didnt get to hurt. I was raped from 2 months old for years. It affects my views to this day. My entire family makes sure my teenage daughter and neices wont have to constantly think about whether every touch in life is loving or creepy. I want people watching out for our kids and I want to catch a predator

[Truth Merchant]

The federal government should have awarded $105 million to NBC for their wonderful service to the community in doing what the judicial system won't do - prevent recurrences. An assistant prosecutor of all people should be aware of the evil of such actions. The world is a safer place now that there is one more baby raping maggot who WON'T be hurting anyone else. A special thanks to Chris Hansen and all of the folks at Dateline NBC. Too bad every episode doesn't end the same way.

[angry mom]

As these preverted man walk in the door should have someone handing out bags full of money. That is so disgusting just to hand out money to Preverted,gross,disgusting man. That is so unthinkable. And this person was supposed to hold up justice. Just so UNTHINKABLE!!!!!!!!!

[Herb]

A pedophile is not a 'victim, what a miscarriage of justice to give money to the family of a pedophile. What about the kids these perverted people? victimize. Go figure, only in America. Enjoy your ill-gotten gains.

[Severion]

Haha, good that this n00b commited suicide, hope dateline gets send free, they gave me the laughs on this show to see perverted people who RUIN lifes all the time, ALWAYS, ANYTIME,
get to be arrested and their lifes ruined, thats what they deserve :)
so go cry bout ur pedo brother patricia, he deserved it, or maybe you shouldve helped him with that problem if u knew bout it, its either his own fault ( which it is for being a pedo rapist) or yours for not helping him earlier.
get a life.

[james hansen]

chris hansen wolf in sheeps clothing! its entrapment like a donut site for the po........lice

[james rivers]

It's amazing how everythingwas going fine, untl somebody important decides to kill themself. Never mind the fact that he's a pedo-creep, and he's guilty. Simple as that. Just like the segment where dateline followed an American doctor to a third world conrty to have sex with a eight year old. In America, might makes right, especially if you're white.

[aGirl]

I have read every post, and I can't believe some of the comments.

I am a mother of three boys and if I thought a man was on the other end (typing with one hand and PLAYING with the other) I WOULD GO OFF!!

Yes, I monitor my kids internet use; however, with FB, Myspace, etc... it is a full time job!

I honestly believe most of the people commenting NEVER watched the show!!! In the first place, there was proof he was talking with this boy and made a date (with a minor). This is ILLEGAL!! Dateline followed up on this guy because he pursued this young boy. Honestly, does it really mattered if the predators got a long sentence or not? I believe the experience probably changed their lives.

I believe in the legal system, but what you ALL seem to forget...HE WAS committing a CRIME!!!

Dateline does an incredible job taping this show. I hope there are more to come because before this men didn't think they could or would get caught. Now they know so because of this show, and maybe they will think twice before they hurt an innocent child.

Something to think about: My friend's best friend in Jr.High School met up with a guy he met online (just friends not on a sexual nature). The man lied and said he was the same age. When they met the boy was RAPED, SODOMIZED AND KILLED!!

This CAN happen to your child!!! Instead of worrying about what NBC did wrong/right...concentrate on how many predators won't strike because of the fear of being caught!!

Another good movie, "The Julie Posie Story"

[Larry Keuchlin - Professional Online Poetry God]

there is borderline entrapment going on. it is questionale how far some, i repeat, SOME of these men would go if they weren't coaxed into extending the chat.