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Murderabilia, also known as murderbilia, is a term identifying collectibles related to murders, homicides, the perpetrators or other violent crimes. The term was coined by Andy Kahan, director[1] of the Houston Police Department's Crime Victims Office.[2][3]

Collectibles

Buyers typically seek collectibles that are either artifacts used or owned by murderers or items (often artwork) created by them.

Virtually anything once owned or created by mass murderers or serial killers can be marketed, such as vehicles, artwork and weapons used in crimes. Clothing is also in high demand,[4] particularly clothes worn during crimes themselves.

Sale and display of murderabilia items

In 2007, Wayne Lo, the convicted perpetrator of the 1992 Bard College at Simon's Rock shooting, caused controversy after it was found that he was selling his artwork on a website.[5]

In June 2011, the United States Government auctioned off personal items which belonged to Ted Kaczynski which were found in his Montana cabin upon his capture in 1996.[6] The auction took place entirely online. The proceeds went to victims and victims' families of Kaczynski's crimes.[7]

Attempts to restrict sale of murderabilia items

In 2005, serial killer Alfred Gaynor's artwork was sold online in Massachusetts. State lawmakers proposed to block the activity, setting off a debate on free speech rights of prisoners.[8]

Andy Kahan, director of the Houston-based Mayor's Crime Victims Office, has lobbied strongly against the sale of murderabilia material. In May 2001, eBay banned the sale of murderabilia items. The sale of such items was banned in five states: Texas, California, New Jersey, Michigan and Utah.[9] In 2010, Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota teamed up to introduce a bill in Congress that would have outlawed the sale of murderabilia on the federal level. The bill was called the "Stop the Sale of Murderabilia to Protect the Dignity of Crime Victims Act of 2010," and came after several individual fights over the issue.[10] The bill died in committee.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Macdonald, Sally (July 16, 2010). "Crime Victims Advocate Moved From Mayor's Office to HPD". Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  2. ^ Barrett, Grant (2006-05-23). The Official Dictionary of Unofficial English: A Crunk Omnibus for Thrillionaires and Bampots for the Ecozoic Age. McGraw-Hill. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-07-145804-7.
  3. ^ Hylton, Hilary (2007-06-05). "Cracking Down on 'Murderabilia'". TIME. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  4. ^ Potter, Tim (August 3, 2017). "Outrage – and insight – over Hesston shooter 'murderabilia'". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  5. ^ Copulsky, Dan (May 16, 2007). "Wayne Lo 'murderabilia' site causes controversy". Llama Ledger. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  6. ^ Lohr, Kathy (May 24, 2011). "Unabomber's Criminal Collectibles Up For Auction". Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  7. ^ Vinciguerra, Thomas (June 4, 2011). "The 'Murderabilia' Market". The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  8. ^ "Online auction of killer's art spurs debate". CNET News. November 16, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  9. ^ Hylton, Hilary (May 13, 2007). "Cracking Down On "Murderabilia"". Retrieved June 5, 2007.
  10. ^ Schneider, James (June 18, 2010). "Senators Try to Halt Sale of Gruesome 'Murderabilia'". Fox News. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  11. ^ "All Information (Except Text) for S.3468 - Stop the Sale of Murderabilia to Protect the Dignity of Crime Victims Act of 2010". Congress.gov. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
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