Major Controversies Surrounding Nancy Grace: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Nancy Grace—discover key moments of controversy.

Nancy Grace is an American legal commentator and television journalist known for hosting the HLN nightly celebrity news and current affairs show, Nancy Grace, from 2005 to 2016. Prior to that, she hosted Court TV's Closing Arguments (1996-2007). Grace also co-authored "Objection! How High-Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Hijacked Our Criminal Justice System." Additionally, she served as the arbiter of Swift Justice with Nancy Grace during its first season.

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

1994: Reprimand by Supreme Court of Georgia

In 1994, Nancy Grace, while a prosecutor, 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.

2002: David Westerfield Trial Coverage

During the trial of David Westerfield in 2002, for the kidnap and murder of Danielle van Dam, Nancy Grace made it clear on Larry King Live that she thought he was guilty, but she got some facts wrong.

2002: Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping Case

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. Ricci was later found to have no connection to the actual kidnappers.

March 2006: New York Observer Article

In March 2006, an article in the New York Observer suggested that in her book Objection!, Nancy Grace had embellished the story of her college fiancé's 1979 murder and the ensuing trial to better support her image.

Objection!: How High-Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Hijacked Our Criminal Justice System

Check it on Amazon

July 2006: Interview with Elizabeth Smart

In July 2006, Nancy Grace interviewed Elizabeth Smart, repeatedly asking about her abduction despite Smart's discomfort, until Smart asked Grace to stop.

September 2006: Melinda Duckett Suicide

In September 2006, 22-year-old Melinda Duckett committed suicide following an interview conducted by Nancy Grace concerning the disappearance of Duckett's 2-year-old son, Trenton.

November 21, 2006: Wrongful Death Claim

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 Nancy Grace.

2006: Duke University Lacrosse Case

In 2006, throughout the Duke University lacrosse case, Nancy Grace took a vehemently pro-prosecution position.

March 2007: Response to Olbermann's Claims

In March 2007, Nancy Grace responded to Keith Olbermann's claims in a Rolling Stone interview, where he suggested she should spend less time on television and more time in therapy due to embellishing her fiancé's murder story. Grace stated she would not waste her time on a "war of words" with Olbermann and would focus on her work for crime victims.

November 22, 2011: "Vodka Mom" Case

On November 22, 2011, Toni Annette Medrano accidentally killed her 3-week-old son, Adrian Alexander Medrano, while she was sleeping on the couch with him, leading Nancy Grace to dub Medrano "Vodka Mom".

2011: New York Times Article

In 2011, David Carr wrote a New York Times article criticizing Nancy Grace's handling of several cases since her show began in 2005.

January 4, 2012: Medrano Family Lawsuit Settled

On January 4, 2012, a lawsuit against CNN brought by the family of Melinda Medrano, who committed suicide after being featured on Nancy Grace's show, was settled out of court. Personal injury attorney Michael Padden announced that the case had been resolved in principle two weeks prior through negotiation, without a formal lawsuit being served.

January 6, 2014: Marijuana Legalization Controversy

On January 6, 2014, Nancy Grace sparked controversy for her negative depiction of recreational marijuana users during a segment on CNN with Brooke Baldwin, covering legalization in Colorado.

January 2014: Negative Depiction of Marijuana Users

In January 2014, Nancy Grace ignited controversy for her negative depiction of recreational marijuana users.

April 8, 2014: Grace Discusses Ultimate Warrior's Death

Following WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior's death on April 8, 2014, Nancy Grace invited Diamond Dallas Page on her show to discuss Warrior. Grace claimed that "rumors of steroid and drug use are swirling" in the case of Ultimate Warrior's death, although an autopsy had concluded that Warrior had died of natural causes with neither drugs nor alcohol in his system at his time of death. During the segment, Grace linked the deaths of several wrestlers to drug abuse, even though their deaths were unrelated to drug abuse.

October 11, 2016: Guest on The Jim Norton and Sam Roberts Show

On October 11, 2016, Nancy Grace appeared as a guest on The Jim Norton and Sam Roberts Show, where she was accused of capitalizing on tragedies for personal gain.

April 2018: Gerbic Analyzes Hollywood Medium Reading

In April 2018, Susan Gerbic published "Nancy Grace Should be Ashamed of Herself!" analyzing Nancy Grace's "Hollywood Medium" reading. Gerbic detailed how Grace was fooled by fraudulent cold and hot reading techniques.