i think in this, we see this in the iowa map da knox -- amanda knox case, we see this in the sam shepard case. there's a tendency -- i don't know if you agree -- but to basically take the person closest to the crime which requires the least imagination. >> i would put it slightly differently. i think often there's a tendency to take that explanation which involves the least amount of thought. and up an explanation that sets in early on and persists despite any countervailing evidence. it persists despite everything. you mentioned, someone should do, at some point, a taxonomy of murder cases, because there are all these different kinds and maybe, in fact, you have done just that sort of thing. >> no be, i mean, i've tried, and i was greatly inspired to continue trying when i read your book. but, you know, i think you're right. you have cases where they find a shooter, and then they have to decide whether someone paid him or someone was behind him or he was a loner. this goes back to the abraham lincoln/john wilkes boopt. yes, he shot lincoln. there were two other assassination attempts th

>> shepard: mark martin knees with the preview of the interview we will see tonight "on the record" with greta van susteren. on this day in 197, the son of samz admitted in court that he did gun down six people in a killing spree that had new york city living in horrendous fear. it started in the summer of '76. berkowitz shot and killed an 18-year-old woman who was sitting in her car in the bronx. a string of nighttime shootings using that same gun continued until the next year. the press dubbed the shooter the 44 caliber killer. but he got a new name when police found a note at the scene of one crime reading "i am the son of sam." then he parked illegally near the scene of his final killing and the ticket gave cops their big break. he would receive six life sentences but he pleaded guilty 35 years ago today. and now you know the news for this wednesday, may the 8th, 2013. i'm shepard smith. thanks for trusting us for your news and information. we're back tomorrow. but mr. bill, is he back right now. >> bill: the o'reilly factor is on. tonight: >> so fast forward, mr. hicks, to the sunday talk shows and ambassador susan rice. she blamed this