This past week, Variety announced that the former prosecutor-turned-reporter would be leaving the HLN network after more than a decade of working together.
Nancy Grace has worked as a news reporter for HLN covering a multitude of headlining news including: mass shootings, celebrity news and one of the most notable stories, the Casey Anthony murder trial.
The accented reported announced that she would be stepping down from her position with HLN, of her own desire, however a part of her exit could be because of the new direction HLN wants to take the network.
Over the past several months, HLN has been the focus of CNN executives, who operate the network. The executives are hoping to turn HLN into a second CNN. With the new direction the network will focus on adding more daytime news coverage to their programming.
Although the network hasn’t announced any plans on what is to replace the Nancy Grace slot at 8pm, the network has announced that the staff of the show will stay on.
Alison Rudnick spoke on behalf of the network saying, “The plan is to have a new show in the 8 p.m. hour, and the goal is to base it on the expertise of her current team.”
Grace has been criticized as well as applauded for her views as a former prosecutor while covering the stories in the news. Her passion for justice however could sometimes cloud her judgement in pronouncing the accused parties as guilty.
In the case of Elizabeth Smart, Grace accused suspect Richard Ricci of Smart’s kidnapping but he was later cleared of suspicion and two others were charged with the crime. Similarly, in the case of the Duke University lacrosse players accused of raping a woman at a party in 2007, without all the facts, Grace jumped the gun and accused the three men guilty but they too were innocent.
A few years ago, during the search for missing toddler Caylee Anthony, Grace was quick to point blame at her irresponsible, party-goer mother Casey. Grace’s show covered the story for months on end and many viewers were so dedicated to the story that they stayed with Grace through the trial of Casey Anthony when she was ultimately charged with her young daughter’s murder.
Viewers were as worked up as Grace when the results came in that the jury found Anthony innocent of all charges relating to her daughter’s death.
Even though she may have jumped to conclusions in some cases, the southern voiced reporter knew how the legal system worked. She worked for more than a decade as a prosecutor in felony case with the Atlanta County District Attorney’s office. Eventually she was asked to co-host a show which ultimately led to her current career with HLN.
Grace is set to depart from the HLN network later this year in October.
What do you think of Nancy departing HLN? Do you think it was her own decision?
Let us know in the comments.