Note Led To Murder, Cop Testifies Man Killed After Appearing On TV Show As Secret Admirer

A man who learned during a talk show taping that another man had a crush on him decided to kill his admirer after receiving an anonymous, suggestive note several days later, a detective testified Monday.

Defense lawyers argued Jonathan Schmitz acted out of illness that affected his mind.

Schmitz went on trial Monday on murder charges in the death of Scott Amedure.

If convicted, he faces a mandatory life prison term.

An Oakland County sheriff’s detective said Schmitz admitted he had been humiliated during the taping of the syndicated “Jenny Jones Show.”

Three days later, Schmitz found a sexually suggestive, unsigned note at his front door and suspected it was from Amedure.

“At that point, I decided I was going to kill him,” Detective Craig Stout quoted Schmitz as saying.

Stout testified that Schmitz said he bought a shotgun and shells, returned to his apartment, then went to Amedure’s home.

Stout said he didn’t use a tape recorder during the interview, which defense attorney James Burdick said gave the detective opportunity to “spin” the case.

Schmitz’s attorneys said their client was fighting depression, alcoholism and Grave’s disease, a thyroid condition that can cause erratic and violent behavior.

Detroit-area activists contend Amedure’s death is a gay hate crime.

In opening arguments, Assistant Prosecutor Roman Kalytiak said Schmitz was in control when he planned and carried out the killing March 9, 1995.

He said Schmitz agreed to appear on Jones’ show in Chicago even though he had been told his “secret admirer” might be either a man or a woman.

After learning it was Amedure, a casual acquaintance, the men remained friendly and even went drinking together afterward, Kalytiak said.

But Stout said Schmitz told him he was actually angry and humiliated at the revelation.

Defense attorneys said that humiliation, along with an “ambush” by the show’s producers, led to the shooting.

Already dealing with his other problems, the defense said Schmitz agreed to go to Chicago in hopes of reconciling with an old girlfriend.

“He thought his Cinderella was only around the curtain,” defense lawyer Fred Gibson said.

“We can’t take these few days of March of 1995 and single those out.”

Both sides focused heavily on Schmitz’ demeanor immediately following Amedure’s slaying.

Prosecutors contend his calm, non-threatening behavior shows he knew what he was doing.

The defense contends Schmitz put up a brave front, similar to the way he acted on the show’s taping - acting friendly, but really humiliated and angry.