Real Crime: Justice For Julie Part 1

Summary

This powerful story follows a mother's 13-year battle for justice after her daughter, Julie, was brutally murdered. Julie's disappearance in 1989 led to a flawed police investigation, with her body being missed during an initial search of her home. After months of agony, her body was found hidden beneath the bath. The case revealed systemic issues, including legal protections for the killer and police negligence. Julie's mother, devastated yet determined, continues her fight to change the law, highlighting the emotional toll of a mother seeking justice for her child and a family's enduring trauma.

Takeaways

• 😀 Julie Hog, a 22-year-old mother, disappeared mysteriously in November 1989 after a night shift, leading her family to fear something was wrong.
• 😀 Despite early police searches, Julie's body went unnoticed for three months, hidden just under the bath in her home.
• 😀 Julie's family was frustrated with the initial police response, believing the investigation would have been handled differently if she were from a different background.
• 😀 The police's failure to locate Julie’s body, despite multiple searches, raised serious concerns and disappointment from her family.
• 😀 The discovery of Julie's body in her home confirmed she had been murdered, with her body found in a sexually mutilated state.
• 😀 Julie's killer initially persuaded the court to acquit him, later boasting that he was the one responsible for her death.
• 😀 Julie's mother, Mrs. Ming, started a campaign to change the law, which allowed killers to escape trial under a legal principle that prevented double jeopardy.
• 😀 Julie’s case highlighted the need for legal reform, as the law protecting acquitted individuals from being tried twice was based on centuries-old statutes.
• 😀 The investigation was criticized for missing key evidence during the initial search, including Julie’s watch and diary, which were later found in her home.
• 😀 Julie’s mother continued her fight for justice, even after the police’s failures, advocating for a change in the law to allow killers like Julie’s murderer to face justice again.
• 😀 The case became a symbol of a mother's relentless pursuit of justice and a call for reform in the legal system, particularly in cases involving acquittals in murder trials.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the script?

The script tells the tragic story of Julie Hog, a young mother who was murdered, and her mother's relentless fight for justice, which has lasted over 13 years. It also highlights issues with the legal system and police investigation failures surrounding Julie's case.

How did Julie's family react to her disappearance?

Julie’s family was deeply concerned and felt something was wrong from the beginning. Despite their efforts, the police initially treated her disappearance casually, assuming she might have left voluntarily. Her mother, however, was adamant that Julie had met with foul play.

What did the police initially believe about Julie's disappearance?

The police initially believed that Julie might have left of her own accord, possibly staying with friends or running away. They dismissed her family’s concerns and did not treat the situation with the urgency it warranted.

Why was the search of Julie's house significant?

The search of Julie's house was significant because it revealed no signs of her departure, such as packed belongings or a note, which led her family to believe something had happened to her. Despite this, police missed crucial evidence during their investigation.

What crucial mistake did the police make during the initial investigation?

The police made the mistake of failing to thoroughly investigate Julie’s house. Despite having access to the property for several days, they did not search thoroughly enough to find her body, which was hidden under the bath.

How did Julie’s mother contribute to the investigation?

Julie’s mother played a proactive role in the investigation, insisting that something was wrong and pushing the police to take her concerns seriously. She also helped discover crucial evidence, such as her daughter's makeup bag in the bathroom window ledge.

What was the outcome of the police's second search of Julie's house?

The second search of Julie's house, months later, led to the discovery of her body hidden under the bath. This crucial finding came only after the police had previously failed to locate her during the initial investigation.

What does the case reveal about the police's handling of the investigation?

The case reveals serious flaws in the police investigation, particularly in their initial response to the disappearance and their failure to thoroughly search Julie’s home. The family felt that if Julie had been from a different background, the police would have treated the case with more urgency.

What law is mentioned in the script as protecting Julie's murderer?

The script mentions an ancient law, passed 800 years ago, which states that individuals cannot be tried twice for the same crime. This law became a significant barrier to bringing Julie’s murderer to justice, as he had been acquitted initially and later boasted of his crime.

What is Julie’s mother’s long-term goal regarding the legal system?

Julie’s mother aims to change the law that protects her daughter's murderer from being retried for the crime. Even if the law is not changed, she intends to continue fighting for justice and keeping the memory of her daughter alive.