“True crime fandom” brings to mind binging on podcasts and docuseries, sleuthing and Reddit rabbitholes. The parasocial attachments come with the territory — that comes with the territory of all fandom — and it’s not always toxic, either. Criminal justice advocates take to these formats to tell their side of the story and rally the troops. Typically, this has happened post-verdict, not while justice is still unfolding.

But something fundamental has shifted. While O.J. Simpson’s trial engaged the public, their interest was reactive — watching the spectacle unfold on television, responding to tabloid journalism. In today’s climate, defense teams are being proactive, directly recruiting advocates and supporters before verdicts are reached. What began as organic public interest has become an orchestrated strategy, with defense teams treating true crime audiences as assets to be mobilized.

Recently, two major cases have drawn true crime fandoms directly into their strategy. The accused, their defense teams, and their advocates have learned to mobilize online supporters, turning fan enthusiasm into a weapon. What began as a fight for justice has, in some corners, morphed into a fandom free-for-all. While corporations have long enlisted fans — for online battles, for product launches — when violent crimes are at stake, these tactics threaten the integrity of the justice system itself.