The murder of Hollywood actress Dominique Dunne by her ex-boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney, was a case that captivated the nation and sparked intense controversy.
Dominique, an up-and-coming star known for her role in Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist, was tragically strangled by Sweeney in the front yard of her West Hollywood home.
The case initially garnered attention due to Dominique's high public profile and promising career.
However, it soon became even more notorious when Sweeney received what many considered an unbelievably lenient sentence.
At just 22 years old, Dominique was already making a name for herself in the entertainment industry.
The daughter of producer/writer Dominick Dunne and Ellen Dunne, and the niece of renowned writers John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion, Dominique had a bright future ahead.
Tragically, Sweeney cut her life short.
Dominique and Sweeney had met at a party in 1981 and quickly started dating.
They eventually moved in together, with Sweeney working as the head chef at the exclusive Ma Maison restaurant in West Hollywood – a place so prestigious that its phone number was rumored to be private.
According to Dominick Dunne, nobody in the family liked Sweeney, finding him “creepy.”
However, they were unaware of the extent of his abuse towards Dominique until it was too late.
There were early warning signs, such as Sweeney's violent outbursts, including smashing furniture and throwing dishes.
Just two months before her death, Sweeney had even pulled out tufts of Dominique's hair in a fit of rage.
Five weeks prior to the murder, he had left bruises on her neck.
During this time, Dominique was playing the role of an abuse victim in a television show, and her injuries were so severe that she didn't require makeup for the role.
Friends of Dominique revealed that she initially felt sorry for Sweeney and failed to recognize the danger he posed.
They described him as jealous, and the couple frequently argued.
Eventually, Dominique decided to end the relationship, but Sweeney refused to accept it and began stalking her.
On October 30, 1982, Sweeney showed up at their former home, leading to a heated argument.
During the altercation, Sweeney strangled Dominique for four to six minutes in a horrifying act of violence.
When the police arrived, they discovered Dominique unconscious on the ground, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Sweeney was found hiding in nearby bushes.
Sweeney confessed to the police, admitting, “Man, I blew it.
I killed her.
I didn't think I choked her that hard, but I don't know, I just kept on choking her.
I just lost my temper and blew it again.”
Sadly, Dominique was taken off life support on November 4, 1982, surrounded by her devastated family.
Sweeney was arrested and charged with murder.
However, in a highly publicized trial, the jury found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a sentence of six years in prison.
Shockingly, he served less than four years before being released on parole.
Dominique's family considered this an injustice.
During the trial, Judge Burton S. Katz became a controversial figure due to his rulings.
He prevented evidence of Sweeney's past abuse against another girlfriend from being presented, ruling it inadmissible.
The jury was left to decide between second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.
Sweeney's defense attorney, Michael Adelson, argued that the killing was a result of a sudden burst of passion without premeditation.
He claimed Dominique had agreed to reconcile with Sweeney but had changed her mind unexpectedly.
The jury ultimately sided with the defense, believing it was a crime of passion.
Judge Katz expressed his disagreement with the verdict, stating that he believed Sweeney should have been convicted of second-degree murder.
He criticized the justice system for failing Dominique and her family, emphasizing that Sweeney's actions stemmed from his inability to handle rejection.
Following the trial, Judge Katz transitioned to the Juvenile Court, expressing regret over certain decisions made during the proceedings.
Dominique's brother, Griffin, expressed his disappointment with the outcome, calling it a blow to their family and a failure of justice.
Since his release, Sweeney has found employment as a head chef at another prestigious restaurant.
Dominique's family, however, is appalled that her killer can easily move on with his life while they continue to grapple with grief and a sense of injustice.
Ellen Dunne, Dominique's mother, has channeled her anger into activism, establishing the California Center for Family Survivors of Homicide to support other families affected by violent crime.
The Dunne family continues to speak out about their heartache and the flaws they perceive in the justice system.
