Ep 3. Was Bambi Framed?

In season 4, episode 3 of Vanity Fair Confidential titled "Was Bambi Framed?," the show examines the case of Bambi Bembenek, a former Milwaukee police officer who was convicted of murdering her husband's ex-wife in 1981. The episode delves into the controversial case that garnered national attention because some believe Bembenek was wrongly convicted of the crime.

The episode begins by introducing Bembenek's background as a former Playboy Club waitress who wanted to become a police officer. She faced discrimination based on gender but eventually succeeded in becoming one of the few female officers on the Milwaukee police force. There, she met and married Fred Schultz, who was also a police officer and had a contentious relationship with his ex-wife, Christine Schultz.

On the night of May 28, 1981, Christine Schultz was shot and killed in her home. Bembenek, who had been fired from the police force just weeks before, immediately became a suspect. However, there was little physical evidence linking her to the crime, and the prosecution's case relied largely on the testimony of two witnesses.

The episode examines the witnesses' testimony and the flaws in their stories. One was a neighbor who claimed to have seen someone resembling Bembenek leaving the crime scene, but her description did not match Bembenek's appearance. The other was a man who was allegedly paid by Bembenek to kill Christine Schultz, but his testimony was riddled with inconsistencies and changed several times.

The episode also explores the possible motives and other suspects in the case, including Fred Schultz, who had a financial motive to get rid of his ex-wife, and his fellow police officers, who may have been involved in a cover-up.

As the episode unwinds, viewers are presented with conflicting evidence and theories surrounding the case. Many believe that Bembenek was framed by the police, who wanted to protect their fellow officers and prosecute someone for the high-profile murder. Others argue that she had a motive to kill her husband's ex-wife and that the prosecution's case was sound.

Overall, "Was Bambi Framed?" is a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of a controversial case. The episode raises important questions about the criminal justice system, gender discrimination, and the power dynamics within law enforcement. Viewers are left to draw their own conclusions about Bembenek's guilt or innocence, but one thing is certain – the case is far from straightforward.