Talk:John Battaglia

Image

I realize that it might not be relevant encyclopaedically, but having a picture of him with his murder victims surely is in poor taste. 50.38.107.102 (talk) 06:14, 2 February 2018 (UTC)

He was their father, and a recent editorial stated that he pretended to be a good father until the end, hence the picture. I chose this picture because it portrays all relevant parties (killer and victims) in a single nonfree photograph. Unless there are freely licensed photos of the girls, this will need to do.

• "He fooled people into believing he was a devoted father. He ferried his two little girls, Liberty and Faith, to soccer games and pinned up their crayon drawings in his office - until the night he shot them both dead as the ultimate act of cruelty against their mother. "

WhisperToMe (talk) 15:35, 2 February 2018 (UTC)

Capital punishment in Texas is usually a banality, but the life-history of this horrible man (most capital offenders in America are life-long losers otherwise unworthy of attention) is unusual for executed offenders. That there has been a book out about him and his murders suggests that his crimes are significant and worthy of preservation in Wikipedia. We can recognize that spouse abuse can lead to murder even with what I assume is an intelligent and well-educated person with a responsible career. I suggest that this be a "keep" article -- but with the caveat that in accordance with Wikipedia policy against naming an article for a perpetrator unless the offender is significant for reasons other than the crime or is a serial killer, the article be renamed Murders of Faith and Liberty Battaglia and be structured to put emphasis on the murdered daughters instead of upon the murderer. Pbrower2a (talk) 17:28, 2 February 2018 (UTC)

There is no article deletion discussion, and since someone wrote a book about the case, deletion of the article is not possible. I don't mind if the article is named "Murders of Faith and Liberty Battaglia". The killer's name cannot be removed since the press consistently named him. WhisperToMe (talk) 18:23, 2 February 2018 (UTC)

Forgive me for not really knowing how to initiate the protocol, but really, this article should not exist in its current form, or at least should be about the murder itself, not the murderer. There has been extensive edit wars to make this more objective, and it seems that there are a few individuals who are trying more to humanize this murderer than to just report the facts. And nowhere else have I ever seen a photo of a murderer and his victims such as this, which does not at all fit the mood this article should be reflecting, which is a somber and objective one. Just my thoughts. Kb5694 (talk) 16:35, 4 February 2018 (UTC)

1. The photo came from this website: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dallas-man-set-die-killing-daughters-9-6-article-1.2582249 - it was published in multiple newspapers before I put it on Wikipedia

2. Who is trying to humanize him?

3. The primary individuals (the murderer and victims) need to be portrayed. This is the best available photo of all three together, in one photograph (to satisfy the requirement of as few non-free photographs as possible per article as per Wikipedia:NFCC). Unless another party wishes to make photographs freely licensed, this will have to do.

• "Minimal number of items. Multiple items of non-free content are not used if one item can convey equivalent significant information."

As for the "tone", I think it fits perfectly.

If anything I think Jacquielynn Floyd's line "He fooled people into believing he was a devoted father." perfectly explains the photo.

"Picture Perfect: John Battaglia" (which uses his picture as the header) - "Mary Jean felt protected. She still worried Battaglia might harm her but “I really thought it was only directed at me. I never thought he’d hurt the children.”" (this is why the fact he didn't hit then girls was important - if he had hit them before, Pearle would not have allowed him to see them unsupervised and the murder would not have happened) - and again this is why the photo is justifiable, as per Floyd's line

ABC News: Though he had become abusive to his wife, she says he was a doting father. "He never spanked the children. He never raised his voice to the children. He never grabbed their arm," says Pearle. "He did nothing but was loving to them." - This doesn't mean he was a good person at all - it meant he was very clever and knew how to act.

Violent abusers look handsome/beautiful and pose for smiling photographs and act normal. The text itself makes it clear he was a serial abuser, and it repeats his vitriolic message to his ex-wife, showing his true colors.

WhisperToMe (talk) 19:16, 5 February 2018 (UTC)

@Pbrower2a: From No, Daddy, Don’t!: A Father's Murderous Act Of Revenge: A Father's Murderous Act of Revenge by Irene Pence PT107: "They reached the office that belonged to John Battaglia. In the corner on top of a file cabin sat sat a photo in which he knelt, smiling, with both arms around his daughters. The terrible irony of the picture struck everyone. Thornton picked up the photo to use for identification of the suspect." - I think that's the photoWhisperToMe (talk) 18:19, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

I also think the image is in very poor taste. Perhaps the caption under the image should make reference to the killing of the two daughters. Bus stop (talk) 22:51, 11 May 2018 (UTC)

I would agree with you if the purpose of WP entries were to honor its subjects, but that’s not the case. We are not in any way implying that we support the perpetrator or that we don’t respect the victims; we are simply showing readers what the family looked like. EricEnfermero (Talk) 23:37, 11 May 2018 (UTC)

So, nonverbal images don't say anything? Bus stop (talk) 00:30, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

I wouldn’t say that’s true at all. But I don’t think that question is relevant to whether we should try to display images of crime perpetrators and victims. EricEnfermero (Talk) 00:35, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

Do you feel that we should "try to display images of crime perpetrators and victims"? Bus stop (talk) 00:38, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

I think that we should make reasonable efforts to display photos of article subjects and of non-subjects that play important roles in WP entries. EricEnfermero (Talk) 00:43, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

The photo shows a loving relationship. I understand that the relationship between father and daughters seemed normal and wholesome up until the end when it went drastically wrong. But in the light of the tragic end it seems incongruous to depict an especially loving pose involving the three individuals. There seems to be a "message" sent by this picture being the one photo at the top of our article. The caption doesn't even allude to the eventuality that is not at all suggested by the atmosphere of the picture. I think a less loving photo would be preferable, or at least a caption on this photo that identified the father as Battaglia and the two young girls as the two daughters that he killed. Bus stop (talk) 01:00, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

I just think that this photo best respects the principle of least astonishment referred to in WP:IMAGE. I don’t think we are going to find an image of him holding a knife or gun to the children and I don’t think that would be neutral of us, even if we could find such an image. I think that most people will recognize that what we find objectionable is the idea of killing kids, not a normal family picture. The frustration is just misplaced here. EricEnfermero (Talk) 01:21, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

We might, however, use an image of Battaglia alone -- there is nothing requiring this infobox image to include all three. DES ^(talk)_{DESiegel Contribs} 03:11, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

Nothing requires the infobox to include all three, but there is an expectation of seeing the appearances of the victims, and the NFCC policy forces us to use the fewest number of nonfree images. There is an image of all three, and therefore that one image is used. WhisperToMe (talk) 17:35, 2 August 2018 (UTC)

I assume you refer to to following text from MOS:IMAGE Wikipedia is not censored: its mission is to present information, including information which some may find offensive. However, a potentially offensive image‍—‌one that would be considered vulgar or obscene by typical Wikipedia readers[nb 1]‍—‌should be included only if it is treated in an encyclopedic manner i.e. only if its omission would cause the article to be less informative, relevant, or accurate, and no equally suitable alternative is available. Per the Foundation, controversial images should follow the "principle of least astonishment": images should respect conventional expectations of readers for a given topic as much as is possible without sacrificing the quality of the article. It could be argued that the current image is about the most astonishing possible, in that a loving family image is not the "conventional expectation" of an article about a father who killed his daughters. However, if it is the case (as mentioned above) that a print of this same image was picked up at the scene of the crime and used to identify Battaglia, then perhaps it belongs in the article, in the section on the discovery. With proper sourced comment of course. DES ^(talk)_{DESiegel Contribs} 03:17, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

I appreciate the discussion, DES. I find that I usually side with people who are offended by various things, but I'm just not there on this one. I looked at the conventional expectation thing a little differently: To me, the conventional expectation is that people smile in family photos and I know without a doubt that smiling doesn't reflect on the presence or absence of dysfunction in a family. With that said, I appreciate knowing where you are coming from and I've probably beaten this one to death. EricEnfermero (Talk) 05:26, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

The placement of that image at the top of the article implies a "summation" of the article, which it is not. It merely depicts a moment prior to a significant event in the article. I would move the image to the bottom of the "Background" section. Bus stop (talk) 10:24, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

Sadly in some ways it is a summation, in that he used his previous relationship with the girls to gain access to them and commit his heinous crime. The changes to the laws after their deaths essentially got rid of the loopholes Battaglia used. WhisperToMe (talk) 17:57, 2 August 2018 (UTC)

BTW I just found a copy of that photo in this Dallas Morning news article: "Slaying suspect: 1 man, 2 faces" which talks about how he had the perception of loving his daughters and how it was all a surprise that he hurt the girls (even though they knew he hated his ex-wives). It shows that abusers often have "likeable" sides to their personalities. BTW the kids didn't seem to be fooled as Pearle stated in her own victim impact statement that Faith didn't like her father, calling him "the worst Father in the world," and Liberty tried to hide before the planned visit. Despite Battaglia's creepy statements about how he loved his kids, he disrespected them by taking their lives. WhisperToMe (talk) 13:28, 3 August 2018 (UTC)

There is absolutely no informational merit to highlighting a photo of Battaglia with his murder victims. It is incredibly disrespectful and potentially extremely harmful to the surviving members of the family, including their mother. The nuances of the crime, i.e. his manipulative nature and creating an image of a good father in order to gain access to the children, can be described in the text section of this article. It is more accurate and not harmful to remember Battaglia as he was: a criminal. rustbeltgelt (talk) 21:37, 24 February 2022 (UTC)

Separation from ex-wife

@Anthony22:

Hi! What is the reference for Battaglia's marriage status at the time of the killings? I'd like to cite the source you're using.

BTW it is possible to still be friends with a ex-wife, hence why I kept using the word "estranged". WhisperToMe (talk) 14:15, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

Click on the following link. You will see the following statement: "Battaglia and his wife had separated and the girls were killed at his Dallas apartment during a scheduled visit." The link also includes a video clip that says the couple is still married. John Battaglia and Mary Jean Pearle didn't divorce until AFTER the killings. His ex-wife witnessed the executions.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-battaglia-executed-for-killing-daughters-while-mom-listened-on-phone/

Anthony22 (talk) 14:43, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

Thanks for finding that! I would like to see if there's another source that gives the date in which they did divorce... WhisperToMe (talk) 15:06, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

PT120 (ISBN 078602447X, 9780786024476) stated they had a divorce decree... WhisperToMe (talk) 18:09, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

I found the page stating that she did file. WhisperToMe (talk) 18:53, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

http://search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=e09231a1-9a90-477d-9f26-9299e43ced4d&coa=coscca&DT=OPINION&MediaID=a182b1b3-bec8-4c0d-ba82-ba016c1d22af p. 2/78 - "The couple separated in 1999 and divorced in 2000." WhisperToMe (talk) 20:44, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

Pence Chapter 26: ISBN: 978-0-7860-2447-6. First page: "The second hearing for Battaglia’s Christmas attack was reset for August 16, 2000, in Judge David Finn’s court."

Pence Chapter 26: ISBN: 978-0-7860-2447-6. Second page: "Two weeks after the resolution of the assault, Mary Jean received her long awaited divorce decree."

WhisperToMe (talk) 08:00, 7 February 2018 (UTC)

A couple of articles say that Battaglia and Pearle were divorced before the killings. Other articles say that the couple was separated before the killings. Obviously, those articles contain hearsay and third or fourth-hand information. The only person who can accurately answer the question is Mary Jeane Pearle. Anthony22 (talk) 00:01, 8 February 2018 (UTC)

Based on No Daddy, Don't, she separated earlier, then divorced after the 1999 attack. There's no question she divorced, because otherwise she wouldn't nave gone to court to do so. It is also true she separated, because she did that on an earlier occasion. WhisperToMe (talk) 11:30, 8 February 2018 (UTC)

Battaglia's master's degree

@Anthony22: The TDCJ might actually be wrong. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-battaglia-executed-for-killing-daughters-while-mom-listened-on-phone/ states:

" State Judge Robert Burns, who found him competent, said Battaglia's intelligence and education - he had a master's degree - showed he had the "motive and intellectual capability to maintain a deliberate ploy or ruse to avoid his execution." "

Looking through TDCJ death row profiles, they never seem to state "college" as being the highest education level. WhisperToMe (talk) 16:21, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

Click on the following link to see Battaglia's highest level of education. It's possible that he received a master's degree while he was on death row. If that is true, then it's OK to revert my information.

http://tdcj.state.tx.us/death_row/dr_info/battagliajohn.html

Anthony22 (talk) 16:37, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

I have been aware of what the TDCJ profile states. I've read many of them and never seem to state "college" as highest level of education.

WaPo "Robert Burns said Battaglia, who had a master's degree, was not a “typical inmate” and had the “motive and intellectual capability to maintain a deliberate ploy or ruse to avoid his execution,” the Associated Press reported."

In the US in 2018 having a high school education is a low level of education. If he only had a high school diploma, I don't think the judge would have referred to his education level.

WhisperToMe (talk) 17:13, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

I searched No, Daddy, Don't!: A Father's Murderous Act of Revenge (a true crime book written about the case) and PT23 (ISBN 0786032375, 9780786032372) states he went to] Fairleigh Dickinson University but his friends convinced him to drop out, and he later served in the Marines. PT226 states he took night classes to become a CPA.

PT57 (ISBN 078602447X, 9780786024476) and PT 85 (ISBN 0786032375, 9780786032372) here says he graduated from university.

WhisperToMe (talk) 17:17, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

You should add this sourced information to the text of the article. Also, I don't understand why he selected Fairleigh Dickinson University, which is all the way across the country in New Jersey? Anthony22 (talk) 17:29, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

He wasn't from Texas originally WhisperToMe (talk) 17:40, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

The death-row profile has him shown as having been born in Dallas County, Texas.

If someone can give proof that he was born somewhere other than Texas, then death-sentence profiles by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice become suspect sources for some details. I once saw one in which an offender was said to be from "Detroit County, Michigan". There is no "Detroit County" in Michigan. It's not clear who says where the inmate is from -- some public record such as a birth certificate, or the inmate himself? Pbrower2a (talk) 02:34, 8 February 2018 (UTC) (the rest is deleted as it was put into the article before I made the comments). (talk) 02:51, 8 February 2018 (UTC)

It actually stated Dallas County was his "Native County" , not his birth county. In any event No, Daddy, Don't! clearly stated he was in a military family that moved around. I would imagine they just put a guess/"whatever" in the "Native County" field. WhisperToMe (talk) 11:27, 8 February 2018 (UTC)

http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/to-catch-a-thief-6403375 states "As federal prosecutors continue building their case against TDC, Battaglia has gone back to college." (yes, it's the same John Battaglia, confirmed by No, Daddy, Don't) - I'd like to know more about this... No, Daddy, Don't doesn't specify which college... WhisperToMe (talk) 12:08, 8 February 2018 (UTC)

DMN article archives

Here is a selection of archived articles.

• Becka, Hollie; Connie Piloto (2001-05-05). "Mother of slain girls had urged police to arrest ex-husband". The Dallas Morning News.
• McGonigle, Steve (2001-05-04). "Records paint portrait of anger". The Dallas Morning News.
• Piloto, Connie; Hollie Becka (2001-05-04). "Man faced arrest before shootings". The Dallas Morning News.
• Zethraus, Lee; Jennifer Emly (2001-05-04). "Classmates recall friends who sold lemonade, liked Beanies". The Dallas Morning News.
• McGonigle, Steve (2001-05-16). "Mother denies arguing before girls were slain". The Dallas Morning News.
• Becka, Holly (2001-05-31). "Prosecutors to seek death for Battaglia". The Dallas Morning News.
• McGonigle, Steve (2002-04-22). "Emotional jolt opens Battaglia trial". The Dallas Morning News. - States that Battaglia lost a lawsuit in 1998 and that according to Pearle his abuse became worse after this
• McGonigle, Steve (2002-02-24). "Father fights for Battaglia's life". The Dallas Morning News.
• McGonigle, Steve (2002-04-24). "Battaglia found guilty of capital murder". The Dallas Morning News.
• McGonigle, Steve (2002-04-26). "Battaglia's defense rests". The Dallas Morning News.

WhisperToMe (talk) 16:21, 8 February 2018 (UTC)

"Murders" section

There's been some good work taking place on this article, well done. Just a couple of quibbles though: I was slightly confused as to the " girls' answering machine," for example. Did two six- and nine-year old girls really have their own answering machine? And the second tag is easily resolved. Per MOS:QUOTE, a direct quote needs to be sourced immediately.

Keep up the good work. >SerialNumber54129^{...speculates} 09:59, 10 February 2018 (UTC)

As I clarified from the book itself, the girls had an answering machine in their bedroom. Somehow Battaglia left a message on that machine after they were killed. Highland Park is a wealthy city, and the girls came from a wealthy family. WhisperToMe (talk) 01:46, 11 February 2018 (UTC)

Protect the page?

@Larry Hockett: @KH-1: It seems anonymous users keep try to remove the lead image with no edit summary. I think this page may need to be protected from anonymous editing. I'm involved with the edit so someone else may need to do a page protect? WhisperToMe (talk) 02:40, 27 September 2020 (UTC)

I am in agreement that it's not okay to remove the image without edit summary (and I haven't been convinced that it should be removed by any of the old discussions). I could submit it to RFPP if it keeps up, but I can't protect it myself. I did take out some redundancy that was bloating the infobox (no need to say capital murder or execution more than once). Larry Hockett (Talk) 15:01, 27 September 2020 (UTC)

daughters surnames

The infobox and the article text should not refer to the two children by their murderer's surname as this practice is now deprecated and all but fossilized (and even was 20 years ago with Anna and Gracie Kemp, Australian mother and daughter who were murdered by Anna's partner, John Sharpe).

The two girls in this article should be referred to as Faith and Liberty Peale at all times in both the infobox and the article text as they are buried under that surname. 180.150.38.126 (talk) 12:30, 26 November 2023 (UTC)

It looks like there is a Findagrave entry showing a headstone with the name Battaglia. There is another relative's name on the headstone as well, but it's Pearle, not Peale. Larry Hockett (Talk) 13:30, 26 November 2023 (UTC)

@180.150.38.126: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68500063/liberty_mae-battaglia/photo shows very clearly that they had Battaglia as their surname. I do not know of any records of them changing their surnames. Also published sources are clear that Battaglia was their surname. WhisperToMe (talk) 20:56, 10 February 2024 (UTC)