Ep 1. Amy Fisher

Amy Fisher is the focus of the first episode of Season 24 of the true crime series, Snapped. Fisher made headlines in the early 1990s as the "Long Island Lolita" after she infamously shot the wife of her lover, Joey Buttafuoco.

The episode begins with a deep dive into Fisher's childhood and upbringing. Born in 1974, Fisher grew up in Merrick, New York with her parents and two siblings. Her parents divorced when she was young, and Fisher's father struggled with alcoholism, often leaving her to care for her younger siblings. Despite these challenges, Fisher showed promise in school and even won a writing competition in sixth grade. However, things took a dark turn for Fisher when she met Buttafuoco, a car mechanic, when she was just 16 years old.

Buttafuoco was married with children at the time, but he began an affair with Fisher that would eventually lead to her shooting his wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco, in the face on May 19, 1992. The episode explores the events leading up to the shooting, including Fisher's obsession with Buttafuoco and her attempts to win him over, even going as far as to get a job at his auto body shop. Fisher's mother and friends also provide insight into her mental state around the time of the shooting, describing her as "possessive" and "determined."

After the shooting, Fisher fled to New York City, where she hid out in a seedy motel with her ex-husband. However, she was eventually caught by police and charged with attempted murder. The episode follows Fisher's trial and the media frenzy surrounding the case, which inspired a made-for-TV movie and multiple books.

Throughout the episode, interviews with law enforcement officials, lawyers, and journalists provide context and analysis of Fisher's actions and the societal factors that may have contributed to them. In particular, Fisher's status as a young, attractive woman garnered a great deal of media attention and created a narrative around her as a victim of manipulation. This idea was further perpetuated by Fisher herself in interviews and appearances, such as her infamous meeting with talk show host Joey Buttafuoco in 2006.

Overall, the episode presents a comprehensive overview of Fisher's story, examining her motivations for the shooting and the ways in which she was portrayed in the media. It raises questions about societal attitudes towards women, particularly young women, who commit violent crimes and the ways in which narratives are constructed around these individuals.