OK, I was watching UM as usual tonight (I Tivo each episode to watch later), and they had the story of the schizophrenic woman who murdered her boyfriend--his name was Ron. She covered him in blankets, then drove his truck to a Native American reservation in New Mexico trying to sell it, calling herself "Sandy".

Well, she was caught. But my question concerns the update UM aired. They showed her being brought into court, but her face was distorted. Now, this wouldn't be a big deal to me, except that eariler in the segment, they showed pictures of her with her face showing.

My question is, why distort her face, since we already know what she looks like? I don't think she was under 18, so that can't be it. I don't think it was because of her mental state, since she was deemed mentally compitent to stand trial....so what gives?

Anyone know or have an idea?

I saw this too, as I also tivo all the episodes (they snuck in a non lifetime changed bumper in during an episode within the last week, too. the unsolved mysteries logo was animated and transitioned to the category name). Anyway, I remember when this case was first updated. Her face was not distorted. It was only in reruns that this happened. The only way for this to happen is usually for the person to not sign a release to appear or for there to be a legal reason to show how she looked today. Being that she's a criminal, I don't know why they wouldn't leave her face open for everyone to see.

thats her real name btw I believe was a mental patient if I recall suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and two things might have happened since the original broadcast.

1) Maria's conviction might have been overturned on appeal and she has requested that her face not be broadcasted on a nationwide broadcast such as UM proclaiming her a criminal

2) She might have gotten released anyhow and not wanting to identified publically as a mentally ill person with all the stigma attached to that

This is all just speculation but I always wondered why Maria didn't plead insanity or try at least to make an insanity defense although I do truly feel for Ron Argentie's family - this case is sad in so many ways

Later.

(they snuck in a non lifetime changed bumper in during an episode within the last week, too. the unsolved mysteries logo was animated and transitioned to the category name).

Yep, I saw that too. It was an "update" that aired right after a story ended. Usually they just show the "Updates" title, but this time they showed the whole thing, complete with the UM coming towards the screen. Cool!