Capturing the McMartins

If you've seen Capturing the Friedmans, this story will certainly ring familiar. I remember the McMartin case from the 1980s. It must have been huge in Los Angeles at the time.

Like being branded a racist, being accused of child molestation poisons the well forever. Even if the allegations are proven false, it's hard to bounce back. Who knew these accusations could snowball into such huge witch hunts? With such flimsy evidence? I remember wondering during the Friedmans film if it was really possible that people were all that crazed about so-called sex rings. But the Times story does seem to prove that it's not only possible, but it's likely that aggressive interrogation of children can produce these unreliable results.

Disc Two of the Friedmans DVD adds a lot to the story, by the way. Don't skip it. It's the rare bonus DVD that isn't almost completely a waste of time.