TV's 'CSI' Crime Drama Makes It Look Too Easy

TV's 'CSI' Crime Drama Makes It Look Too Easy
Portland Oregonian
December 10, 2002
Robin Franzen
[snippet]

Just this spring, the National District Attorneys Association decided to pump up its hip quotient by having one of 'CSI's' stars, actor George Eads, narrate a national public service announcement promoting the good work done by prosecutors. Eads' father is legendary Texas prosecutor Arthur 'Cappy' Eads, a former president of the group.

"Shows like 'CSI,' " the DA's group proclaimed in a news release, "are among the few that demonstrate how important it is to provide prosecutors with the most accurate information and evidence possible so that prosecutors can establish guilt or innocence."

Today, group leaders insist they have no regrets about allying themselves with the show. But the evidentiary issues raised by 'CSI' at trial remain and may be growing.

Even the recently retired Arthur Eads - now in private practice - understands the problem, noting that prosecutors in his Bell County office regularly ask potential jurors about 'CSI'. He hasn't personally, he said, simply because he didn't want to appear to be drawing attention to his actor son.

"We are very much a media-driven society," Eads said. "When you have a show that has a large viewing audience, if that exposure could have an impact in a court of law, you are duty-bound to make sure someone is not unduly influenced by it, whether it's my son's show or anyone else's."