Fatal Vision

Fatal Vision was a 1984 television miniseries that starred Gary Cole, Karl Malden, Eva Marie Saint and Andy Griffith. It was based on the best selling book by Joe McGinnis. Fatal Vision is the real-life story of Doctor Jeffrey MacDonald, who in 1979 was convicted of the murder of his pregnant wife and two small daughters. These murders had taken place in 1970 while MacDonald was a Green Beret Captain in the US Army stationed at Fort Bragg. MacDonald has always claimed that night he was attacked on the living room sofa by hippie intruders who also killed his family. The movie and book strongly suggest that MacDonald was the real culprit and made up the story about the intruders. It should be pointed out, however, that both McGinnis and his book have come under strong attack in recent years. In 1993, McGinnis was attacked for another book he had written about Senator Edward Kennedy. The author was forced to admit that he had used "dramatic license" in the book. He had made up events and conversations that had never really taken place. People who believe Jeffrey MacDonald is really innocent have accused him of doing the same thing in Fatal Vision. For example, this writer claimed that Doctor MacDonald murdered his family while under the influence of amphetimines. He included a very long passage about a psychosis caused by ingesting these pills that could cause homicidal behavior. The Doctor sued McGinnis for libel after his conviction and under oath was forced to admit this was only a THEORY of his and not based on any real fact McGinnis also failed to point out the fallacies regarding the three most important items of evidence used at the trial. All of the MacDonalds had different blood types and the CID and FBI noted this in an evidence chart they produced. It indicated where various blood droppings were found in the apartment. This chart indicated that there was no blood of Jeffrey MacDonald's group found in the hallway where he claimed to have lain bare chested after being knocked out. The jury asked to see this chart during their deliberations. However, it was never pointed out to them that the CID had not bothered to examine this hallway for several days after the murders. By that time, scores of people had walked across it possibly destroying evidence. MacDonald was also questioned at trial about fiber evidence. He had said he had lain his torn pajama top across his wife's chest before checking his children. However, fluff and pajama fiber were found in this area. The prosecution said this was proof he had lied. However, it was never pointed out to the jury about another example of the authorities bungling the investigation. Doctor MacDonald's pajama bottoms had been carelessly thrown away that night. Many witnesses who saw him said that the bottoms were also badly torn. This would seem to provide an innocent explanation for the fiber evidence.

Related Topics:
1984 - Television - Miniseries - Gary Cole - Karl Malden - Eva Marie Saint - Andy Griffith - Joe McGinnis - Jeffrey MacDonald - 1979 - Pregnant - 1970 - Green Beret - US Army - Fort Bragg - Hippie

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