LAKE ORION, Mich. – The man convicted of shooting and killing another man in 1995 over a comment made on a never-aired episode of "The Jenny Jones Show" was released from prison Tuesday.
Jonathan Schmitz was found guilty of second-degree murder and was paroled after spending 22 years behind bars.
On an episode of the show, titled "Same-Sex Secret Crushes," Scott Amedure revealed his feelings about Schmitz.
Three days later, Schmitz shot and killed Amedure in his Lake Orion home. He said he was embarrassed on national television.
Years after the murder, Amedure's brother is still upset with the producers of "The Jenny Jones Show."
"It sickens me. These people were criminals. They're just as guilty as Schmitz. I feel Schmitz was just a trigger guy," Amedure's brother Franks said.
The show and its production company were were not held responsible, and the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned a $25 million wrongful death verdict.
The family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, also spoke out against the show.
"Jonathan was the victim of the manipulation caused by 'The Jenny Jones Show.' He was unaware. Of course he did commit a murder, but to think he was the only one is not true."
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