History of Nancy Grace in Timeline
Nancy Grace is an American legal commentator and television journalist known for hosting the HLN nightly news and current affairs show *Nancy Grace* (2005-2016) and Court TV's *Closing Arguments* (1996-2007). She is recognized for her strong opinions and advocacy on legal issues, particularly regarding crime and victims' rights. Grace also co-authored the book *Objection!* which critiques aspects of the criminal justice system. Additionally, she presided over the first season of the courtroom reality show *Swift Justice with Nancy Grace*.
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October 23, 1959: Nancy Grace's Birth
On October 23, 1959, Nancy Ann Grace was born. She would later become an American legal commentator and television journalist.
1977: Graduation from Windsor Academy
In 1977, Nancy Grace graduated from Macon's Windsor Academy.
1994: Reprimand by the Supreme Court of Georgia
In 1994, Nancy Grace was reprimanded by the Supreme Court of Georgia for withholding exculpatory evidence in an arson and murder case, leading to the overturning of the conviction.
1996: Offer from Court TV
In 1996, Nancy Grace accepted an offer from Court TV founder Steven Brill to do a legal commentary show alongside Johnnie Cochran.
1996: Hosting Closing Arguments on Court TV
In 1996, Nancy Grace started hosting Court TV's "Closing Arguments".
2002: Coverage of David Westerfield Trial
In 2002, During the trial of David Westerfield for the kidnap and murder of Danielle van Dam, Nancy Grace stated her belief in his guilt on Larry King Live, but included inaccurate details.
2002: Coverage of Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping
In 2002, during the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case, Nancy Grace repeatedly proclaimed Richard Ricci guilty on Court TV and CNN's Larry King Live, despite limited evidence, later it was revealed that Smart was kidnapped by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.
2004: Hosting Closing Arguments
In 2004, Nancy Grace was moved to a solo trial coverage show on Court TV, hosting Closing Arguments.
May 21, 2005: Saturday Night Live Parody
On May 21, 2005, Nancy Grace was voiced by Amy Poehler as part of Saturday Night Live's Saturday TV Funhouse segment in a Divertor sketch. During this appearance, Grace says little more than "[Name of celebrity in question] should fry."
2005: Hosting Nancy Grace on HLN
In 2005, Nancy Grace began hosting "Nancy Grace", a nightly celebrity news and current affairs show on HLN.
2005: Publication of Objection!: How High-Priced Defense Attorneys...
In 2005, Nancy Grace's first book, 'Objection!: How High-Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Hijacked Our Criminal Justice System', was published by Hyperion and became a New York Times bestseller.
July 2006: Interview with Elizabeth Smart
In July 2006, Nancy Grace interviewed Elizabeth Smart, repeatedly asking for details about her abduction despite Smart's discomfort, eventually stopping when Smart expressed her disapproval.
September 2006: Melinda Duckett's Suicide
In September 2006, Melinda Duckett committed suicide following an intense interview conducted by Nancy Grace regarding the disappearance of Duckett's son, Trenton. Grace questioned Duckett's openness and pressed her for details about her son's disappearance.
November 21, 2006: The Smoking Gun exposes Pending Litigation
On November 21, 2006, The Smoking Gun exposed pending litigation on behalf of the estate of Melinda Duckett, asserting a wrongful death claim against CNN and Grace.
December 5, 2006: Tommy McCoy Released on Parole
On December 5, 2006, Tommy McCoy, the murderer of Nancy Grace's fiancé Griffin, was released on parole from the Georgia Department of Corrections.
2006: Coverage of the Duke University Lacrosse Case
In 2006, Nancy Grace took a strong pro-prosecution position during the Duke University lacrosse case, sarcastically commenting on the situation before the players were exonerated.
March 2007: Grace Responds to Olbermann's Claims
In March 2007, Nancy Grace responded to Keith Olbermann's claims in a Rolling Stone interview, where he suggested she embellishes the story of her fiancé's murder and should seek psychiatric help rather than be on television. Grace defended her work for crime victims and declined to engage in a "war of words" with Olbermann.
April 2007: Nancy Grace Marries David Linch
In April 2007, Nancy Grace married David Linch, an Atlanta investment banker, in a small private ceremony. They had met while she was studying at Mercer University in the 1970s.
May 22, 2007: Grace Appears on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
On May 22, 2007, Nancy Grace appeared as herself in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Screwed", the season 8 finale, opposite Star Jones.
June 19, 2007: Last Show on Court TV
On June 19, 2007, Nancy Grace did her last show on Court TV.
June 26, 2007: Grace Announces Pregnancy
On June 26, 2007, Nancy Grace announced on her HLN talk show that she was pregnant with twins, expecting them in January 2008.
2007: End of Closing Arguments on Court TV
In 2007, Nancy Grace ended her time hosting Court TV's "Closing Arguments".
2008: Coverage of the Caylee Anthony Disappearance
From 2008, the Caylee Anthony disappearance became a regular feature of the Nancy Grace show.
August 11, 2009: The Eleventh Victim Publication
On August 11, 2009, Nancy Grace's first fiction novel, 'The Eleventh Victim', was released by Hyperion. The mystery thriller is about Hailey Dean, a psychology student whose fiancé is murdered before their wedding.
August 10, 2010: Death on the D-List Published
On August 10, 2010, Nancy Grace's third New York Times bestselling novel, 'Death on the D-List', was published by Hyperion.
September 13, 2010: Premiere of Swift Justice with Nancy Grace
On September 13, 2010, "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace" premiered.
November 8, 2010: Settlement with the Estate of Melinda Duckett
On November 8, 2010, Nancy Grace reached a settlement with the estate of Melinda Duckett to create a $200,000 trust fund dedicated to locating Trenton Duckett.
May 2011: Grace leaves Swift Justice
In May 2011, Nancy Grace left "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace" due to production moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
July 5, 2011: Highest Ratings for Nancy Grace show on HLN
On Tuesday, July 5, 2011, after the controversial verdict finding Casey Anthony not guilty, her "Nancy Grace" show on HLN had its highest ratings ever in the 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. hour slots.
September 2011: Judge Jackie Glass takes over Swift Justice
In September 2011, Judge Jackie Glass took over Nancy Grace's place on "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace".
September 19, 2011: Nancy Grace Joins Dancing with the Stars
On September 19, 2011, Nancy Grace began her participation as a contestant on the thirteenth season of 'Dancing with the Stars'. She was partnered with pro-dancer Tristan MacManus.
November 8, 2011: Nancy Grace Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
On November 8, 2011, Nancy Grace and her partner Tristan MacManus were eliminated from 'Dancing with the Stars'. They placed 5th overall in the competition.
November 22, 2011: "Vodka Mom" Case
On November 22, 2011, Toni Annette Medrano accidentally killed her 3-week-old son while sleeping on the couch with him after consuming a large amount of vodka. Nancy Grace dubbed Medrano "Vodka Mom" and brought a bottle of vodka onto her set.
2011: Criticism in The New York Times
In 2011, David Carr criticized Nancy Grace's handling of several cases in a New York Times article, stating that the presumption of innocence has found a willful enemy in her. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley added that Grace demeans both the attorney and reporter professions.
2011: Continuing Caylee Anthony Coverage
Until 2011, the Caylee Anthony disappearance and the prosecution, trial, and acquittal of her mother Casey Anthony on charges of murder of the child were a regular feature of the Nancy Grace show.
January 4, 2012: Medrano Family Settles Lawsuit Against CNN
On January 4, 2012, the lawsuit brought against CNN by the family of Medrano, who committed suicide after a segment on Nancy Grace's show, was settled. Personal injury attorney Michael Padden stated that the case was settled in principle two weeks prior through negotiation, without a formal lawsuit being served.
April 2012: Grace Appears on Raising Hope
In April 2012, Nancy Grace made a guest appearance as herself in the last two episodes of the second season of the TV show 'Raising Hope'.
June 6, 2012: Medrano Charged with Manslaughter
On June 6, 2012, Toni Annette Medrano was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of her infant son.
2012: End of Swift Justice
In 2012, "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace" ceased production.
January 6, 2013: Interview on CNN's News Room
On January 6, 2013, Nancy Grace conducted an interview with Brooke Baldwin on CNN's News Room. During this interview, Grace said 'I've got a sneaking suspicion that you are pro-pot. And I don't like it.'
January 2014: Controversy Over Marijuana Depiction
In January 2014, Nancy Grace ignited controversy for her negative depiction of recreational marijuana users.
April 8, 2014: Nancy Grace Discusses The Ultimate Warrior's Death
On April 8, 2014, following the death of WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior, Nancy Grace invited Diamond Dallas Page on her show. The topic of the episode focused on deaths in professional wrestling caused by steroids. Grace claimed there were "rumors of steroid and drug use" surrounding Ultimate Warrior's death, despite an autopsy concluding natural causes with no drugs or alcohol were the cause.
October 11, 2016: Appearance on The Jim Norton and Sam Roberts Show
On October 11, 2016, Nancy Grace was a guest on "The Jim Norton and Sam Roberts Show", where she was accused of capitalizing on others' tragedies for personal gain. She was also questioned about her handling of The Ultimate Warrior's death and the Duke lacrosse case.
October 13, 2016: Last Show of Nancy Grace
On October 13, 2016, at the end of her contract, Nancy Grace hosted her last show on HLN.
2016: End of Nancy Grace on HLN
In 2016, Nancy Grace's nightly celebrity news and current affairs show on HLN came to an end.
2016: Murder in the Courthouse Published
In 2016, Nancy Grace's novel, 'Murder in the Courthouse', was published by BenBella Books.
January 10, 2017: Grace Hosts Crime Stories Podcast
Since January 10, 2017, Nancy Grace began hosting a daily podcast on Crime Online called 'Crime Stories with Nancy Grace'.
June 2017: Grace Receives Reading on Hollywood Medium
In June 2017, Nancy Grace participated in a reading by Tyler Henry on his E! TV show, 'Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry'. Grace believed Henry communicated with her deceased father and fiancé, providing her with closure.
April 2018: Analysis of Psychic Reading
In April 2018, Susan Gerbic published an analysis titled 'Nancy Grace Should be Ashamed of Herself!', detailing how Nancy Grace was misled by fraudulent techniques of cold reading and hot reading during a psychic reading.
July 13, 2019: Premiere of Injustice with Nancy Grace
On July 13, 2019, an Oxygen TV channel true crime series began, hosted by Grace and titled "Injustice with Nancy Grace".
July 14, 2019: Recognition for Advocacy Work
Throughout her career, Nancy Grace has received recognition from various organizations for her advocacy work on behalf of victims’ rights. These organizations include the Carole Sund-Carrington Foundation, Crime Victims United of California, and The Retreat. July 14, 2019, is the archive date of a mention from The Retreat.
2023: Honorary Doctorate from Jacksonville State University
In 2023, Nancy Grace was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Jacksonville State University.
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