The 1995 murder of Scott Amedure following an episode of The Jenny Jones Show remains one of daytime television's darkest milestones. At the center of the case was Jonathan Schmitz, who shot and killed Amedure days after a surprise television segment revealed a secret same-sex crush. Decades have passed since the trial, raising persistent public curiosity about where Schmitz is today and how the legal landscape shifted in the wake of the tragedy.
Jonathan Schmitz was released from the Parnall Correctional Institution in Michigan in August 2017 after serving more than 20 years behind bars. Granted parole after multiple evaluations, he chose to maintain an extremely low profile, opting to stay out of the public eye in Michigan. Unlike high-profile figures who court media attention post-release, Schmitz has avoided interviews, social media, and public appearances, making his current everyday life intentionally obscure.
The Roots of a Daytime Television Tragedy
To understand where Jonathan Schmitz stands today, it's necessary to look back at the events of March 1995. Schmitz agreed to appear on The Jenny Jones Show under the impression that he was meeting a secret female admirer. Instead, the production introduced Scott Amedure, a male acquaintance who revealed a romantic interest in Schmitz.
Footage from the episode showed Schmitz expressing visible discomfort and stating on air that he was not interested. Three days later, after a series of interactions that included a suggestive note left by Amedure, Schmitz drove to a local bank, purchased a 12-gauge shotgun, went to Amedure's mobile home, and shot him twice. Schmitz then drove to a gas station, called 911, and confessed to the crime.
Trial, Conviction, and Legal Strategy
The subsequent criminal trial garnered national headlines and brought intense scrutiny to tabloid talk shows. Schmitz's defense team, led by attorney Jerome Wahls, argued that Schmitz suffered from severe psychiatric vulnerabilities and was deeply humiliated by the ambush setup of the television program, introducing what became colloquially known as a "gay panic" or temporary insanity defense.
Prosecutors argued that the murder was premeditated, pointing out the time lapse between the TV taping and the shooting, during which Schmitz went home, acquired a firearm, and traveled to confront Amedure. In 1996, a jury found Schmitz guilty of second-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. An initial conviction of first-degree murder was overturned on appeal due to jury instruction errors, leading to the second-degree conviction in a 1999 retrial.
The Civil Lawsuit Against the Producers
The fallout extended far beyond the criminal courtroom. Scott Amedure's family, represented by prominent attorney Geoffrey Fieger, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against The Jenny Jones Show, its distributor Warner Bros., and parent company Telepictures.
The civil trial explored the ethics of ambush television. A Michigan jury found the show's producers negligent, awarding the Amedure family roughly 25 million dollars. However, that verdict was ultimately overturned by the Michigan Court of Appeals in 1999. The appellate court ruled that the talk show producers and staff did not owe a legal duty to protect Amedure from foreseeable criminal acts committed by a guest, effectively shielding daytime television companies from similar liability moving forward.
Life After Prison Release
When the Michigan Parole Board granted Schmitz parole in March 2017, officials noted his clean disciplinary record and participation in rehabilitation programs behind bars. Upon his release in August 2017 at age 47, he returned to civilian life under standard parole supervision, which he has since completed.
Legal analysts and investigative reporters who track the case have noted that Schmitz's family and local support network helped him integrate quietly back into society. Frank Amedure, the victim's brother, has occasionally spoken to media outlets, expressing lingering frustration that the culture of sensationalist talk television bore responsibility for destroying two lives. Meanwhile, Schmitz has remained entirely invisible to public records regarding employment or residence, reflecting a deliberate effort to evade public notoriety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jonathan Schmitz still in prison?
No. Schmitz was released on parole in August 2017 after serving roughly 22 years of his 25-to-50-year sentence for second-degree murder.
What was the defense used in Jonathan Schmitz's trial?
His attorneys argued that Schmitz was suffering from emotional disturbance and psychological trauma triggered by public humiliation and an ambush on national television, an argument often discussed in legal contexts as a panic defense.
Did the victim's family win the lawsuit against Jenny Jones?
Initially, a jury awarded the Amedure family millions, but that verdict was overturned on appeal, with the court ruling that the show's producers were not legally liable for the subsequent criminal actions of a guest.
Where does Jonathan Schmitz live now?
Schmitz resides in Michigan, where he has kept a remarkably low profile and avoided all media contact since completing his prison sentence.
