Is The Internet A Safe Haven For Serial Killers?

“While the Internet is deemed as a haven for free speech, it is important to protect individuals like Nadia from committing suicide at the encouragement of a predator." The above quote is from the opening paragraph from both my August 24th PI Window on Business blog post and August 25th radio segment titled "How Many More Nadia’s: The Serial Suicide Killer Finds A Loop Hole." I was of course talking about The Serial Suicide Killer as I have called him, William Melchert-Dinkel, a 47 year old former nurse and father of two daughters who admits to coaxing five people to commit suicide including 18 year old Ottawa student Nadia Kajouji, and likely encouraging dozens more to follow suit. His weapon of choice? The Internet! I went on to write that "Given the complexities of the laws involving Internet crime, especially spanning numerous international jurisdictions, there is a very real possibility that Melchert-Dinkel may indeed walk." Citing everything from a violation of his right to free speech and what his lawyer Terry Watkins refers to as the vague use of the law and that as a result there is a lack of probable cause, an acquittal despite the admission and corroborating evidence could happen. This leads to a number of troubling yet interesting questions including whether or not Melchert-Dinkel is in fact a serial killer and, if the Internet is likely to become a predators haven from prosecution. Joining me tonight to answer these as well as the many other questions regarding this case as well as how the Internet is changing the landscape of crime is world renown profiler and bestselling author Pat Brown.