Cannibal Cop: The Limits of Fantasy

A New York City police officer was convicted in a plot to kidnap, kill and eat women. The case and the appeal drew widespread attention because it raised the question of when does a virtual crime, discussed and plotted in internet chat rooms, cross into criminal activity, including what kinds of additional steps are needed to create an actual crime. The Court of Appeals overturned the conviction holding that there was not sufficient evidence to support the conviction. The Court of Appeals stated, “despite the highly disturbing nature of Valle’s deviant and depraved sexual interests, his chats and emails about these interests are not sufficient — standing alone — to make out the elements of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.” Read some of the cases and briefs here.

Read the case here >>