In 1979, WPIX reporter busted outside 'Amityville Horror' house

July 27 is the 39th anniversary of the release of "The Amityville Horror." The day before, on July 26, 1979, WPIX sent reporter Kristi Witker to do a story outside the house on Long Island that was being besieged by tourists. She ended up in police custody!

[snakejones]

That's REAL journalism, nothing like what we have today!

[MMAfighter]

I personally would respect the current owners and their privacy, but when you knowingly buy a tourist attraction what do you expect ?

[bonniemagpie]

Really nice of this reporter to share this and to talk to all these people to get their reasons for wanting to visit Amityville.

[alexbury]

Even though it's a big tourist attraction spot, I would buy the house if I could, because of it's history and the fact that it's just such a beautiful house, even before it got totally refurbished on the outside.

[michaelblaine]

Nothing makes you feel old like seeing how the world was the year you were born

[rickyparker]

Hell if I owned that property I would MOST DEFINITELY capitalize on the legend and story and open it up to tourists and MAKE THAT MONEY! Could you IMAGINE what kind of money you could make just on Halloween? Lol!!!! Anyone who owns that property is a FOOL to not Capitalize on the History of that Haunted House.

[mariogiresi]

1:09 If there is one eerie part of the house’s structure other than the eye-shaped windows, it’s the side door entrance because that’s where all six of the body bags carrying the DeFeo family came out of. One neighbor said the only horror he ever witnessed was when the poorly secured bag of the youngest child opened up and the little boy’s lifeless body spilled onto the driveway.

[Mgunner]

Releasing him from false arrest? Lady you were on his property without permission, your intent is irrelevant.

[NizineToFizive]

Such a dramatic description. Captivity...LMAO😂

[dontellgucci]

That cop looked like a stripper dressed as a cop. But in 79’ that was the look

[micheller]

I love how the reporter says she didn't leave quickly enough...within minutes police arrived. If someone tells you to leave, you leave immediately. It doesn't take even one minute.

[Litetorture]

"I begged for mercy" That statement took me out!!! LMAO!!!

[joshuaecht]

How come she sat in the front of the squad at 1:25 and not the back? Usually you are cuffed and put in the back. As a Mopar nut, it's neat seeing the last of the Fury intermediates (B-body Mopar) as squads. Also, as she is placed in the car, a sharp eye can see a rare Volare/Aspen squad too at 1:30!

[FireMadeFleshII]

Wow, escorted to the passenger seat of the patrol car.

[dr.lecter]

Now days the reporter
Would have claimed the cops touched her inappropriately and then sued the township claiming she was disabled and traumatized for life

[somallo]

1:23

"I begged for mercy" ????


So weird how reporters used to talk 40 years ago

[stephaniebaker]

I realize that this must be a pain in the ass for townsfolk, but good grief, they turn a case of lookie loos into a federal case.

[donnabyers]

Sounds to me like the guy occupying the house also was hostile.

[toddstarks]

True. If I was to buy this house, I would totally expect this. The owner’s should know this lol

[epicman]

Calling the police and pressing charges for someone standing on your lawn. Lol Long Island hasn’t changed.