"Justice on Trial" Episode #1.3

1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:12,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 2 00:01:02,646 --> 00:01:04,647 I'm gonna level with you, Mr. Deskovic, 3 00:01:05,316 --> 00:01:07,735 we like you for the murder of Angela Correa. 4 00:01:07,818 --> 00:01:09,695 I-I would never... 5 00:01:09,779 --> 00:01:12,531 The day after the murder, you show up late for school. 6 00:01:12,615 --> 00:01:16,076 You go to all the vigils, all the memorials, 7 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:20,164 despite you saying that you never really talked that much. 8 00:01:20,247 --> 00:01:22,833 You fit the profile to a T. 9 00:01:26,879 --> 00:01:30,216 I'm Judy Sheindlin. Before I was a judge on TV, 10 00:01:30,299 --> 00:01:33,259 I was a judge in New York City for 15 years, 11 00:01:33,344 --> 00:01:35,763 and a lawyer for 17 years before that. 12 00:01:35,846 --> 00:01:38,348 While serving on both sides of the bench, 13 00:01:38,432 --> 00:01:41,268 I learned that justice doesn't always end up feeling... 14 00:01:41,352 --> 00:01:42,645 just. 15 00:01:42,728 --> 00:01:46,148 Sometimes, the impact of one decision by a police officer, 16 00:01:46,232 --> 00:01:50,527 a lawyer, or even a judge, can change the way justice is delivered. 17 00:01:51,695 --> 00:01:54,824 We're going to demonstrate this by taking landmark cases 18 00:01:54,907 --> 00:01:57,535 from actual crimes committed by real people, 19 00:01:57,618 --> 00:02:00,454 and we'll recreate them with our trial lawyers 20 00:02:00,538 --> 00:02:03,040 and yours truly as the trial judge. 21 00:02:03,123 --> 00:02:05,501 While we're not going to recreate the trials verbatim, 22 00:02:05,584 --> 00:02:08,545 all the court's ultimate decisions are accurate. 23 00:02:08,628 --> 00:02:12,174 It will be up to you to decide whether the case was fair 24 00:02:12,258 --> 00:02:14,218 and the outcome just. 25 00:02:14,301 --> 00:02:17,179 Real cases, actual lawyers, 26 00:02:17,263 --> 00:02:18,973 surprising verdicts... 27 00:02:21,267 --> 00:02:22,852 Justice on Trial. 28 00:02:27,231 --> 00:02:32,152 This episode of Justice on Trial focuses on the murder of Angela Correa, 29 00:02:32,236 --> 00:02:35,614 a high school student from Putnam County, New York, 30 00:02:35,698 --> 00:02:39,493 and how law enforcement handled the search for her killer. 31 00:02:39,577 --> 00:02:43,247 Usually when someone confesses to a crime, 32 00:02:43,329 --> 00:02:48,085 they're admitting they're guilty, and that's that, justice is served. 33 00:02:48,168 --> 00:02:51,380 But what happens if that confession was obtained 34 00:02:51,463 --> 00:02:55,009 under an unreasonable amount of police pressure, 35 00:02:55,091 --> 00:02:58,762 and that afterwards, the person who confessed 36 00:02:58,846 --> 00:03:01,015 says, "I didn't mean it"? 37 00:03:01,098 --> 00:03:04,643 The legal term for that is false confession, 38 00:03:04,727 --> 00:03:07,479 and it's more common than you think. 39 00:03:07,563 --> 00:03:09,607 But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. 40 00:03:09,690 --> 00:03:13,027 Let's go to the aftermath of this brutal murder. 41 00:03:18,949 --> 00:03:20,951 I have horrible news. 42 00:03:22,161 --> 00:03:23,621 I really don't know how to say this. 43 00:03:24,371 --> 00:03:26,916 Police have found Angela's body in the woods. 44 00:03:26,999 --> 00:03:28,167 Oh, my God. 45 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:32,922 I want you to know that grief counselors are being made available, 46 00:03:33,005 --> 00:03:34,506 and I encourage all of you to... 47 00:03:35,925 --> 00:03:37,176 Mr. Deskovic. 48 00:03:39,094 --> 00:03:41,680 Glad you could join us. 49 00:03:41,764 --> 00:03:44,767 Sorry, I'm late. I missed the bus. 50 00:03:44,850 --> 00:03:46,602 Not to worry, Jeffrey. 51 00:03:48,062 --> 00:03:51,148 Today of all days, I can cut you guys some slack. 52 00:03:51,231 --> 00:03:52,650 Why? 53 00:03:54,526 --> 00:03:55,778 What's going on? 54 00:04:01,533 --> 00:04:03,702 -So, you knew the deceased. -Sure. 55 00:04:03,786 --> 00:04:05,788 We all knew Angela. 56 00:04:05,871 --> 00:04:07,790 Anybody she dating you might know? 57 00:04:08,582 --> 00:04:12,127 Not that I know of. Lots of guys wanted to get with her. 58 00:04:12,211 --> 00:04:14,129 She was hot. 59 00:04:14,213 --> 00:04:16,548 But she wasn't interested. 60 00:04:16,632 --> 00:04:19,635 They think her parents kept her on a pretty tight leash. 61 00:04:19,718 --> 00:04:22,053 How about maybe somebody she turned down? 62 00:04:22,137 --> 00:04:25,599 Somebody in particular, maybe you think could a held a grudge. 63 00:04:27,851 --> 00:04:29,895 Not really. 64 00:04:31,021 --> 00:04:32,106 Thank you. 65 00:04:32,189 --> 00:04:33,190 But... 66 00:04:34,608 --> 00:04:38,779 There is one kid who's kind of off. 67 00:04:38,862 --> 00:04:40,531 And he showed up late to class today. 68 00:04:40,614 --> 00:04:43,784 Kind of off. So, what do you mean? 69 00:04:45,828 --> 00:04:48,580 Kind of a loner. 70 00:04:48,664 --> 00:04:50,707 Kinda awkward. 71 00:04:50,791 --> 00:04:55,713 The kind of guy you wonder what he does when nobody's watching. 72 00:04:57,214 --> 00:04:58,716 What's his name? 73 00:04:58,799 --> 00:05:01,135 Jeff Deskovic. 74 00:05:13,856 --> 00:05:15,482 From that day forward, 75 00:05:15,566 --> 00:05:21,030 Putnam County law enforcement zeroed in on 15-year-old Jeffrey Deskovic. 76 00:05:21,113 --> 00:05:27,244 Months later, they tried him for Angela Correa's rape and murder. 77 00:05:27,327 --> 00:05:29,788 As you watch the detectives' testimony, 78 00:05:29,872 --> 00:05:32,875 you'll see how they put together their case. 79 00:05:32,957 --> 00:05:36,378 We'll show you how they interacted with Jeffrey along the way, 80 00:05:36,462 --> 00:05:39,339 according to what Jeffrey recalls happened. 81 00:05:39,423 --> 00:05:41,884 You'll notice it won't always jibe 82 00:05:41,967 --> 00:05:45,012 with what the detectives' version of the events are. 83 00:05:45,095 --> 00:05:49,266 It's up to you to decide who and what to believe. 84 00:05:51,268 --> 00:05:52,978 Counsel, note your appearance, please. 85 00:05:53,062 --> 00:05:54,480 'Morning, Your Honor. Larry Bakman 86 00:05:54,563 --> 00:05:56,774 on behalf of the people of the state of New York. 87 00:05:56,857 --> 00:06:00,444 'Morning, Judge. Dan Mentzer for the defendant, Jeffrey Deskovic. 88 00:06:00,527 --> 00:06:04,114 Members of the jury, the defendant, Jeffrey Deskovic, 89 00:06:04,198 --> 00:06:08,118 is charged with the rape and murder of a 15-year-old schoolmate. 90 00:06:08,202 --> 00:06:11,205 As you will hear, the primary evidence of the people 91 00:06:11,288 --> 00:06:13,707 is the alleged confession he made to the police. 92 00:06:13,791 --> 00:06:16,251 In order to convict the defendant, you must find 93 00:06:16,335 --> 00:06:19,755 that the statement was voluntarily made by the defendant 94 00:06:19,838 --> 00:06:23,967 beyond a reasonable doubt. You must find that taken together, 95 00:06:24,051 --> 00:06:26,678 all of the evidence proves that Jeffrey Deskovic 96 00:06:26,762 --> 00:06:29,765 raped and murdered Angela Correa. 97 00:06:29,848 --> 00:06:32,601 That is the People's burden of proof. 98 00:06:32,683 --> 00:06:35,187 You wish to make an opening statement, Mr. Bakman? 99 00:06:35,270 --> 00:06:37,272 I do, Your Honor. Good morning, everyone. 100 00:06:37,356 --> 00:06:41,735 As the court indicated, I am the prosecutor in this case. 101 00:06:41,819 --> 00:06:44,571 I represent the people of the State of New York. 102 00:06:44,655 --> 00:06:48,534 In this matter, the People will prove beyond a reasonable doubt 103 00:06:48,617 --> 00:06:52,287 that the defendant brutally beat, raped 104 00:06:52,371 --> 00:06:56,082 and murdered a 15-year-old young girl. 105 00:06:56,166 --> 00:06:59,586 At the end of this case, I'm going to ask you to return 106 00:06:59,670 --> 00:07:03,048 with a verdict of first-degree rape, second-degree murder, 107 00:07:03,132 --> 00:07:06,969 based on the fact that the People have proven this case 108 00:07:07,052 --> 00:07:09,388 beyond a reasonable doubt. Thank you. 109 00:07:09,888 --> 00:07:11,098 Mr. Mentzer. 110 00:07:11,181 --> 00:07:14,059 Thank you, Your Honor. Let me be perfectly clear, 111 00:07:14,143 --> 00:07:19,356 Jeffrey Deskovic did not rape or kill Angela Correa. 112 00:07:19,439 --> 00:07:22,526 That's not just my opinion, that's a scientific fact. 113 00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,320 Because one thing Mr. Bakman did not tell you 114 00:07:25,404 --> 00:07:28,365 is about the scientific evidence in this case. 115 00:07:28,448 --> 00:07:31,243 But rather than wait for that evidence to come back, 116 00:07:31,326 --> 00:07:36,832 the police picked a suspect, this 16-year-old boy, Jeffrey Deskovic. 117 00:07:36,915 --> 00:07:39,877 They chose based on, really, no evidence, 118 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:44,047 based on the fact that he was a shy and socially awkward child. 119 00:07:44,131 --> 00:07:47,509 And they persisted in interrogating him and badgering him 120 00:07:47,593 --> 00:07:51,680 for six weeks to get him to confess to a crime he didn't commit. 121 00:07:51,763 --> 00:07:55,933 And yet, for six weeks he said, "I didn't do it." 122 00:07:56,018 --> 00:07:59,396 So, did that end the nightmare for Jeffrey Deskovic? No. 123 00:07:59,479 --> 00:08:03,400 No, it didn't. That nightmare has to end with you. 124 00:08:03,483 --> 00:08:06,153 Because he's innocent. Thank you. 125 00:08:07,446 --> 00:08:09,823 Mr. Bakman, are you ready to call your first witness, sir? 126 00:08:09,907 --> 00:08:13,619 Thank you, Your Honor. I call the medical examiner, Dr. Lewis Rowe. 127 00:08:18,248 --> 00:08:19,792 Kevin, will you swear the witness, please? 128 00:08:19,875 --> 00:08:22,586 Raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth in these matters today? 129 00:08:22,669 --> 00:08:24,254 -I do. -Thank you. Have a seat. 130 00:08:24,338 --> 00:08:25,547 You may inquire, sir. 131 00:08:25,631 --> 00:08:29,092 Doctor, please tell the jury your current profession or occupation. 132 00:08:29,176 --> 00:08:31,845 Westchester County Deputy Medical Examiner. 133 00:08:31,929 --> 00:08:36,183 Turning your attention, sir, back to November 17th of last year, 134 00:08:36,265 --> 00:08:41,563 were you called to a crime scene involving a 15-year-old victim named Angela Correa? 135 00:08:41,647 --> 00:08:42,688 Yes. 136 00:08:46,777 --> 00:08:48,987 This is as bad as it gets, boss. 137 00:08:49,071 --> 00:08:50,822 Blunt force trauma to the head, 138 00:08:51,490 --> 00:08:53,575 ligature marks on her neck. 139 00:08:53,659 --> 00:08:55,327 Could've died from either. 140 00:09:00,415 --> 00:09:02,834 We're gonna have to do a rape kit. 141 00:09:04,002 --> 00:09:05,796 Yeah, I figured. 142 00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:07,214 This doesn't happen here. 143 00:09:08,757 --> 00:09:10,133 Press is gonna have a field day. 144 00:09:10,217 --> 00:09:12,386 It's already happening, boss. 145 00:09:12,469 --> 00:09:16,932 The news started running stuff three hours after our estimated time of death. 146 00:09:17,015 --> 00:09:19,476 We need to get justice for this girl. 147 00:09:20,727 --> 00:09:21,937 And we need to get it quick. 148 00:09:23,063 --> 00:09:25,357 I take it, sir, that at some point in time, 149 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,526 you conducted an autopsy of the victim? 150 00:09:27,609 --> 00:09:28,610 Correct. 151 00:09:28,694 --> 00:09:32,864 And did you recover any fluids from the victim's body? 152 00:09:32,948 --> 00:09:34,283 -Yes. -From where? 153 00:09:34,366 --> 00:09:36,785 Semen was recovered from the vaginal area. 154 00:09:36,868 --> 00:09:40,580 And the semen sample was sent to the FBI lab for analysis. 155 00:09:40,664 --> 00:09:41,915 -Is that right? -Correct. 156 00:09:41,999 --> 00:09:45,711 And that was to be compared to a blood draw taken from the defendant 157 00:09:45,794 --> 00:09:49,381 -back on January 10th. Is that correct? -Yes. 158 00:09:49,464 --> 00:09:53,051 And did you receive the results back from the FBI laboratory 159 00:09:53,135 --> 00:09:57,639 indicating whether or not this was a DNA match to the defendant's blood? 160 00:09:57,723 --> 00:09:59,433 -Yes. -And what was that result? 161 00:09:59,516 --> 00:10:00,600 It was negative. 162 00:10:01,643 --> 00:10:06,982 And that DNA analysis simply excludes the defendant 163 00:10:07,065 --> 00:10:10,027 as being the donor of the semen sample, correct? 164 00:10:10,110 --> 00:10:11,153 Yes. 165 00:10:11,236 --> 00:10:13,989 Doesn't exclude him from putting his hands around her neck 166 00:10:14,072 --> 00:10:16,366 or using a ligature to kill her, does it? 167 00:10:16,450 --> 00:10:18,952 -No. -No further questions. 168 00:10:19,036 --> 00:10:21,163 Mr. Mentzer, you may inquire, sir. 169 00:10:21,246 --> 00:10:22,497 Thank you, Judge. 170 00:10:22,581 --> 00:10:26,168 Dr. Rowe, you got to the scene on November 17th, correct? 171 00:10:26,251 --> 00:10:27,336 Yes. 172 00:10:27,419 --> 00:10:28,796 And you saw signs that a young girl 173 00:10:28,879 --> 00:10:31,006 -had been raped and murdered, right? -Yes. 174 00:10:31,089 --> 00:10:33,633 And one of the things you noticed was that there were hairs 175 00:10:33,717 --> 00:10:36,803 -found along this girl's legs, correct? -Yes. 176 00:10:36,887 --> 00:10:39,473 And you carefully removed those hairs for testing. 177 00:10:39,556 --> 00:10:40,557 I did. 178 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:42,768 Then, the next time you got involved in this case 179 00:10:42,851 --> 00:10:47,105 was sometime after you learned of the results of the testing. 180 00:10:47,189 --> 00:10:48,607 -Correct? -I believe so, yes. 181 00:10:48,690 --> 00:10:53,820 And you found Jeffrey Deskovic was not the source of the hair 182 00:10:53,904 --> 00:10:57,991 -found on the naked leg of Angela Correa. -Yes. 183 00:10:58,075 --> 00:11:02,371 You can often determine the racial makeup of the donor of that hair, right? 184 00:11:02,454 --> 00:11:03,455 Correct. 185 00:11:03,538 --> 00:11:08,210 And the results you got as to the makeup of the person whose hair that was, 186 00:11:08,293 --> 00:11:10,670 was that it was an African-American person, right? 187 00:11:10,754 --> 00:11:11,880 That is correct. 188 00:11:11,963 --> 00:11:17,427 You found also that Jeffrey Deskovic was not the source of the semen 189 00:11:17,511 --> 00:11:20,347 found in the body of Angela Correa. Correct? 190 00:11:20,430 --> 00:11:21,515 Correct. 191 00:11:21,598 --> 00:11:25,644 Now, with respect to the DNA evidence that was found in the semen 192 00:11:25,727 --> 00:11:30,816 not matching Jeffrey Deskovic, one explanation was he's innocent, right? 193 00:11:30,899 --> 00:11:33,235 That is one explanation, yes. 194 00:11:33,318 --> 00:11:35,278 Thank you, Judge. I have no further questions. 195 00:11:35,362 --> 00:11:36,738 Thank you. Witness is excused. 196 00:11:38,073 --> 00:11:39,991 Mr. Bakman, call your next witness, please. 197 00:11:40,075 --> 00:11:42,160 I call Detective David Levine. 198 00:11:43,328 --> 00:11:44,496 You may inquire, sir. 199 00:11:44,579 --> 00:11:47,124 Thank you, Your Honor. Detective, can you tell the jury 200 00:11:47,207 --> 00:11:49,292 what your current profession or occupation is? 201 00:11:49,376 --> 00:11:52,295 I'm a detective with the Peekskill Police Department. 202 00:11:52,379 --> 00:11:54,589 And how long have you been so employed? 203 00:11:54,673 --> 00:11:55,674 Fifteen years. 204 00:11:55,757 --> 00:11:57,634 And what are your current assignments? 205 00:11:57,717 --> 00:12:02,639 We investigated the homicide of Angela Correa. 206 00:12:02,722 --> 00:12:05,350 And did you do that with a partner or by yourself? 207 00:12:05,434 --> 00:12:07,686 Myself and Detective McIntyre. 208 00:12:07,769 --> 00:12:13,733 And when you found the body, can you describe for the jury 209 00:12:13,817 --> 00:12:16,820 the condition of the body when you found it? 210 00:12:16,903 --> 00:12:18,697 Is the victim partially nude? 211 00:12:18,780 --> 00:12:23,034 Yes. Her clothes, particularly her torn bra, 212 00:12:23,118 --> 00:12:24,870 were found in the vicinity. 213 00:12:24,953 --> 00:12:28,248 And her cassette player was also found in the vicinity, 214 00:12:28,331 --> 00:12:32,544 and that tells me that she never saw what was coming. 215 00:12:34,963 --> 00:12:38,300 And tell me, when you came upon the body, 216 00:12:38,383 --> 00:12:41,887 did you ask for the M.E., the Medical Examiner to come to the scene? 217 00:12:41,970 --> 00:12:43,054 I did. 218 00:12:43,138 --> 00:12:46,850 Now, let me ask you, did you go to the high school 219 00:12:46,933 --> 00:12:50,937 where the victim and the defendant went and talk to classmates? 220 00:12:51,021 --> 00:12:54,399 Yes, we did. We needed to establish a suspect list. 221 00:12:54,483 --> 00:12:59,529 And in terms of focusing on Mr. Deskovic 222 00:12:59,613 --> 00:13:02,073 as a potential suspect in this case, 223 00:13:02,157 --> 00:13:04,284 did you have the opportunity 224 00:13:04,367 --> 00:13:08,705 to observe him attend various wakes for the victim? 225 00:13:08,788 --> 00:13:11,291 -We did. -Did that raise a red flag? 226 00:13:11,374 --> 00:13:12,667 Yes, it did. 227 00:13:17,923 --> 00:13:19,716 Must've been a popular girl. 228 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,428 Maybe these kids just need something to care about. 229 00:13:26,056 --> 00:13:28,517 Mac, there's our boy. 230 00:13:30,435 --> 00:13:31,686 Right on time. 231 00:13:36,107 --> 00:13:37,667 What are you doing here, man? 232 00:13:38,818 --> 00:13:40,362 You didn't even know her. 233 00:13:40,445 --> 00:13:42,989 Did too. We talked. 234 00:13:45,742 --> 00:13:47,661 Once. She was nice to me. 235 00:13:49,955 --> 00:13:51,790 Three vigils he's attended. 236 00:13:53,750 --> 00:13:57,963 It's either morbid curiosity, guilty conscience, or... 237 00:13:58,046 --> 00:13:59,881 Or maybe he's getting off on it. 238 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,527 Mr. Mentzer, you may inquire, sir. 239 00:14:20,610 --> 00:14:24,197 Detective Levine, you've been involved in this case from the very beginning, right? 240 00:14:24,281 --> 00:14:25,282 Yes. 241 00:14:25,365 --> 00:14:28,868 November 17th, you were actually at the scene where Angela's body was found. 242 00:14:28,952 --> 00:14:29,953 That's true. 243 00:14:30,036 --> 00:14:33,248 This was a rape and a murder investigation to you from the very beginning. 244 00:14:33,331 --> 00:14:34,415 -Right? -That's correct. 245 00:14:34,499 --> 00:14:36,710 So, you started to investigate 246 00:14:36,793 --> 00:14:39,045 -by speaking to classmates. -Yes. 247 00:14:39,129 --> 00:14:41,381 And those classmates told you things about Angela 248 00:14:41,464 --> 00:14:43,634 that you thought would be helpful in your investigation. 249 00:14:43,717 --> 00:14:46,052 -Yes. -And you also, at some point, 250 00:14:46,136 --> 00:14:50,015 found out that Jeffrey Deskovic was a person of interest, I believe you said. 251 00:14:50,098 --> 00:14:51,141 Yes, he was. 252 00:14:51,224 --> 00:14:55,437 So, he became a suspect within the first three weeks. 253 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,147 -Is that right? -True. 254 00:14:57,230 --> 00:15:00,358 December 12th. Does that date stand out for you for any reason? 255 00:15:00,442 --> 00:15:02,319 Yes, it's the first day we interviewed him. 256 00:15:02,402 --> 00:15:04,321 You took him back to the precinct... 257 00:15:04,404 --> 00:15:06,615 -Yep. -...and you and Detective McIntyre 258 00:15:06,698 --> 00:15:09,117 proceeded to interrogate him for three hours. 259 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:10,243 Yes. 260 00:15:10,327 --> 00:15:12,120 And you wanted to close this case 261 00:15:12,203 --> 00:15:15,123 by getting a confession out of Jeffrey Deskovic. Right? 262 00:15:15,206 --> 00:15:16,249 Of course. 263 00:15:16,333 --> 00:15:17,792 Have a seat, Mr. Deskovic. 264 00:15:19,461 --> 00:15:22,297 Thanks for agreeing to leave school and talk to us today. 265 00:15:22,380 --> 00:15:23,548 Sure. 266 00:15:24,507 --> 00:15:26,676 I definitely don't mind missing history class. 267 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:31,264 Well, we could really use your help here, solving this murder. 268 00:15:31,348 --> 00:15:34,351 Like a junior detective or something? 269 00:15:34,434 --> 00:15:36,102 Exactly. 270 00:15:36,186 --> 00:15:40,440 And since you went to all the vigils and memorial services, 271 00:15:40,523 --> 00:15:43,403 maybe you heard something from one of your classmates that could help us. 272 00:15:44,569 --> 00:15:46,154 Yeah, let me think about that. 273 00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:52,494 Would you say Angela was sexually active? 274 00:15:54,329 --> 00:15:55,330 Well... 275 00:15:56,748 --> 00:15:58,667 I don't really know, to be honest. 276 00:15:58,750 --> 00:16:01,920 She and I didn't talk about anything like that. 277 00:16:02,003 --> 00:16:04,214 What did you talk about? 278 00:16:06,883 --> 00:16:09,010 We didn't really talk much. 279 00:16:09,094 --> 00:16:11,805 But you wanted to talk to her, right? 280 00:16:11,888 --> 00:16:15,392 I mean, yeah. She was really nice. 281 00:16:15,475 --> 00:16:18,478 And she was hot too. Am I right? 282 00:16:18,561 --> 00:16:20,522 Who wouldn't want to get with her? 283 00:16:20,605 --> 00:16:21,773 I never really... 284 00:16:21,856 --> 00:16:23,525 She turned you down, didn't she? 285 00:16:23,608 --> 00:16:25,485 She never noticed you at all, right? 286 00:16:25,568 --> 00:16:28,154 I mean, that must've made you mad. 287 00:16:28,238 --> 00:16:30,782 No. She was always... 288 00:16:30,865 --> 00:16:33,326 As a matter of fact, she didn't care if you lived or died. 289 00:16:33,410 --> 00:16:34,411 Isn't that right? 290 00:16:34,494 --> 00:16:35,996 You're a red-blooded male, Jeff. 291 00:16:36,079 --> 00:16:38,289 Who'd have blamed you? She had it coming. 292 00:16:38,373 --> 00:16:41,000 What?! No! 293 00:16:41,084 --> 00:16:43,420 I'm gonna level with you, Mr. Deskovic, 294 00:16:43,503 --> 00:16:46,339 we like you for the murder of Angela Correa. 295 00:16:46,423 --> 00:16:48,133 I-I would never... 296 00:16:48,216 --> 00:16:51,136 The day after the murder, you show up late for school. 297 00:16:51,219 --> 00:16:54,681 You go to all the vigils, all the memorials, 298 00:16:54,764 --> 00:16:58,143 despite you saying that you never really talked that much. 299 00:16:59,477 --> 00:17:03,273 On top of that, all your classmates, they peg you as some kind of a loner. 300 00:17:03,356 --> 00:17:05,483 You fit the profile to a "T." 301 00:17:05,567 --> 00:17:08,528 I thought you guys wanted my help. 302 00:17:08,611 --> 00:17:10,989 I would never touch her. 303 00:17:11,071 --> 00:17:15,201 I was late 'cause I overslept and I missed the bus. 304 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:27,213 Well done. 305 00:17:27,297 --> 00:17:29,299 We had to make sure you were clean 306 00:17:29,382 --> 00:17:31,718 before activating you as our new junior detective. 307 00:17:33,803 --> 00:17:35,472 Oh. 308 00:17:35,555 --> 00:17:37,682 You guys really had me going there. 309 00:17:38,767 --> 00:17:40,351 Good job, kid. 310 00:17:40,435 --> 00:17:42,187 Welcome to the team, Jeff. 311 00:17:42,270 --> 00:17:45,106 Yeah, thanks. Thank you. 312 00:17:45,190 --> 00:17:47,442 -You tried different techniques. -We did. 313 00:17:47,525 --> 00:17:52,071 You tried to make him appear as though he was helpful to the investigation. 314 00:17:52,155 --> 00:17:53,531 -Right? -Yes. 315 00:17:53,615 --> 00:17:55,492 You tried to let him get his guard down. 316 00:17:55,575 --> 00:17:57,244 -Yeah. -Then you started 317 00:17:57,327 --> 00:17:59,162 -playing "good cop, bad cop" on him. -Yes. 318 00:17:59,245 --> 00:18:01,206 -You were the bad cop? -Yes. 319 00:18:01,289 --> 00:18:06,127 And you were accusing Jeffrey of being responsible for the murder, right? 320 00:18:06,211 --> 00:18:07,212 Yes. 321 00:18:07,295 --> 00:18:10,423 And Detective McIntyre would step forward and say, 322 00:18:10,507 --> 00:18:13,760 calm down, you're doing good, son. You're doing fine. Right? 323 00:18:13,843 --> 00:18:16,262 -Yes. -Ask his theories of the case? 324 00:18:16,346 --> 00:18:18,473 -Yes. -And at some point, 325 00:18:18,556 --> 00:18:21,601 you detectives brought this boy to the crime scene? 326 00:18:21,684 --> 00:18:23,645 Yes, we did. 327 00:18:26,105 --> 00:18:28,566 This is where it all went down, Jeff. 328 00:18:28,650 --> 00:18:31,778 I can't believe it's been almost two months. 329 00:18:31,861 --> 00:18:33,738 It feels like yesterday, you know? 330 00:18:34,823 --> 00:18:36,449 I'm gonna be straight with you, kid. 331 00:18:37,033 --> 00:18:39,744 The press is still all over us on this. 332 00:18:39,828 --> 00:18:41,579 The mayor's going crazy. 333 00:18:41,663 --> 00:18:43,915 The governor himself is threatening to bring in the Feds, 334 00:18:43,998 --> 00:18:45,834 which we do not want. 335 00:18:45,917 --> 00:18:48,002 We need to close this case. 336 00:18:48,086 --> 00:18:50,088 That's why we brought you here. Okay? 337 00:18:51,214 --> 00:18:52,590 Can you help us, buddy? 338 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:55,385 Yeah, of course. 339 00:18:55,468 --> 00:18:57,012 I mean, what do you think happened here? 340 00:18:57,095 --> 00:18:58,179 Well... 341 00:19:00,056 --> 00:19:04,310 from what those crime scene photos you showed me look like... 342 00:19:06,354 --> 00:19:10,400 the killer probably hit her from behind. 343 00:19:10,483 --> 00:19:13,695 Probably knocked her unconscious after that. 344 00:19:13,778 --> 00:19:17,240 Then, he tears off her bra and underwear. 345 00:19:19,534 --> 00:19:20,577 You know. 346 00:19:21,744 --> 00:19:25,373 How come she doesn't hear or see him before he strikes? 347 00:19:29,168 --> 00:19:32,130 She was probably focused on shooting her pictures. 348 00:19:32,213 --> 00:19:35,049 I mean, you remember the camera near her hand. Right? 349 00:19:35,133 --> 00:19:37,677 I remember when I was doing that assignment. 350 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:43,725 I was worried about the exposure, the shutter angle, focus. 351 00:19:43,808 --> 00:19:45,602 All that stuff that we were taught. 352 00:19:45,685 --> 00:19:49,939 I wouldn't have heard an elephant about to step on me. 353 00:19:50,023 --> 00:19:51,941 Sounds like you were there, kid. 354 00:19:52,025 --> 00:19:54,986 We've been talking about this case for so long. 355 00:19:55,069 --> 00:19:56,779 I almost feel like I was. 356 00:19:58,197 --> 00:19:59,866 Does that ever happen to you guys, too? 357 00:20:01,576 --> 00:20:03,077 Yeah. 358 00:20:03,161 --> 00:20:05,496 We usually try to put ourselves in the mind of the killer. 359 00:20:06,706 --> 00:20:10,460 Why don't you try that by sketching out what you think happened. 360 00:20:10,543 --> 00:20:11,669 It would help us a lot. 361 00:20:11,753 --> 00:20:13,338 Yeah. Yeah, sure. 362 00:20:25,350 --> 00:20:28,353 Oh, look, it's Jeremy, our CSI guy. 363 00:20:28,436 --> 00:20:30,104 And I think he's got pizza. 364 00:20:30,188 --> 00:20:33,733 All right! You guys are awesome. 365 00:20:33,816 --> 00:20:36,611 Jeremy just needs to get a quick blood sample from you. 366 00:20:36,694 --> 00:20:39,864 A blood sample? Why? 367 00:20:39,948 --> 00:20:41,741 It's standard procedure. 368 00:20:41,824 --> 00:20:45,703 Anyone we involve in an investigation like this has to give a DNA sample. 369 00:20:45,787 --> 00:20:47,580 Just to eliminate them. 370 00:20:47,664 --> 00:20:52,835 Okay. But my mom told me not to do anything like that without a lawyer. 371 00:20:52,919 --> 00:20:55,004 You have nothing to worry about. 372 00:20:55,088 --> 00:20:57,507 You didn't do it. Right? 373 00:20:57,590 --> 00:20:59,008 No. 374 00:20:59,092 --> 00:21:01,511 Look, DNA, then pizza. Sound good? 375 00:21:04,639 --> 00:21:06,307 Yeah, okay. 376 00:21:06,391 --> 00:21:08,393 All right. I'll take that. 377 00:21:09,435 --> 00:21:12,063 We were hoping that a visit to the crime scene, 378 00:21:12,146 --> 00:21:15,692 very often, the suspect will... suddenly, something will trigger, 379 00:21:15,775 --> 00:21:19,153 and they'll reveal a fact that they couldn't have known before. 380 00:21:19,237 --> 00:21:23,199 Come on, Detective. You wanted him to know more details of the crime scene 381 00:21:23,282 --> 00:21:25,660 so it would enhance a confession if you were to get one. 382 00:21:25,743 --> 00:21:26,786 Isn't that true? 383 00:21:26,869 --> 00:21:28,913 That was not our intention. 384 00:21:28,997 --> 00:21:32,542 And then finally, you ask him if he would submit to a polygraph exam. 385 00:21:32,625 --> 00:21:34,419 -Yes. -And he said yes. 386 00:21:34,502 --> 00:21:37,338 -Yes. -So, you set up the polygraph test 387 00:21:37,422 --> 00:21:39,507 -for January 25th. -Yes. 388 00:21:39,590 --> 00:21:41,926 So, you set it up on a day 389 00:21:42,010 --> 00:21:45,388 where you guys were ready for the polygraph exam, right? 390 00:21:45,471 --> 00:21:46,556 Mm-hmm. 391 00:21:46,639 --> 00:21:50,435 But you didn't tell or give forewarning to Jeffrey 392 00:21:50,518 --> 00:21:52,895 that this was gonna occur on January 25th, did you? 393 00:21:52,979 --> 00:21:53,980 Correct. 394 00:21:54,063 --> 00:21:57,191 And you drove him to the office of Daniel Stephens. 395 00:21:57,275 --> 00:21:59,318 -Yes. -Daniel Stephens, 396 00:21:59,402 --> 00:22:03,031 -you know to be a polygraph expert. -That's true. 397 00:22:03,114 --> 00:22:05,575 But really you know Daniel Stephens to be an expert 398 00:22:05,658 --> 00:22:07,994 at getting people to confess to crimes. 399 00:22:08,077 --> 00:22:09,495 That's his reputation. 400 00:22:09,579 --> 00:22:14,542 Detective, you were not going to stop harassing this boy 401 00:22:14,625 --> 00:22:16,586 until you got what you wanted. Right? 402 00:22:16,669 --> 00:22:18,338 -Objection, argumentative. -Sustained. 403 00:22:18,421 --> 00:22:20,631 -No more questions. -Thank you. 404 00:22:20,715 --> 00:22:23,384 Witness is excused. Thank you very much, sir. 405 00:22:24,761 --> 00:22:27,972 Putnam County law enforcement was running out of time. 406 00:22:28,056 --> 00:22:30,975 The political pressure to solve Angela Correa's murder 407 00:22:31,059 --> 00:22:33,311 was getting more intense by the day. 408 00:22:33,394 --> 00:22:38,691 They now had their prime suspect's DNA, fellow student Jeffrey Deskovic. 409 00:22:38,775 --> 00:22:42,570 But before getting the results to see if it matched the murder victim's, 410 00:22:42,653 --> 00:22:44,739 they wanted to close the case. 411 00:22:44,822 --> 00:22:47,700 And for that, they needed a confession. 412 00:22:47,784 --> 00:22:51,287 So, they enlisted a police officer in a neighboring city 413 00:22:51,370 --> 00:22:53,706 posing as a polygraph expert. 414 00:22:53,790 --> 00:22:57,543 They plucked Jeffrey out of school without telling his parents 415 00:22:57,627 --> 00:22:59,462 and strapped him in. 416 00:23:04,509 --> 00:23:05,968 Where am I? 417 00:23:07,011 --> 00:23:10,598 I want to go home. My mom told me not to go far. 418 00:23:10,681 --> 00:23:13,976 We can't wait for DNA results. What if they point the wrong way? 419 00:23:14,060 --> 00:23:15,436 Don't worry about it. 420 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:19,232 This guy's a cop. Specializes in getting confessions. 421 00:23:19,315 --> 00:23:21,442 Should I shoot this? 422 00:23:22,985 --> 00:23:26,030 From what I know about his methods, better not. 423 00:23:27,115 --> 00:23:29,408 Okay. 424 00:23:30,493 --> 00:23:31,577 Now, Jeffrey. 425 00:23:32,537 --> 00:23:34,789 Jeffrey? Hi. Okay. 426 00:23:34,872 --> 00:23:39,252 This is a polygraph machine, okay? It's gonna tell me when you're lying. 427 00:23:40,586 --> 00:23:44,507 So, as long as you just tell me the truth, you're gonna get out of here real quick. 428 00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:46,592 -Okay? -Okay. 429 00:23:46,676 --> 00:23:49,053 Okay. Okay, great. 430 00:23:49,137 --> 00:23:53,307 It is 9:13 a.m. on January 25th. 431 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:58,646 Now. Let's start out easy. 432 00:23:58,729 --> 00:23:59,856 What's your name, son? 433 00:24:00,648 --> 00:24:01,983 Jeff Deskovic. 434 00:24:03,568 --> 00:24:06,154 Good. No, that's very good. 435 00:24:06,237 --> 00:24:09,073 You see how easy that is to just tell the truth? 436 00:24:10,283 --> 00:24:14,412 So, um, let's talk about what you did on November 15th. 437 00:24:14,495 --> 00:24:16,831 Did you go into the woods? 438 00:24:16,914 --> 00:24:17,915 No. 439 00:24:19,333 --> 00:24:22,044 Hm. That's a... that's a lie. 440 00:24:24,255 --> 00:24:27,383 Did you see or talk to Angela Correa? 441 00:24:27,466 --> 00:24:28,593 No. 442 00:24:28,676 --> 00:24:30,845 That's another lie. 443 00:24:32,388 --> 00:24:33,973 Did you attack her? 444 00:24:34,056 --> 00:24:36,642 No. I... I wasn't even there. 445 00:24:36,726 --> 00:24:38,561 Once again, a lie. 446 00:24:39,937 --> 00:24:41,606 Did you hit her with a rock? 447 00:24:41,689 --> 00:24:43,357 I didn't do it. 448 00:24:43,441 --> 00:24:44,525 Lie. 449 00:24:45,776 --> 00:24:47,987 -Did you rape Angela Correa? -No. 450 00:24:48,070 --> 00:24:51,949 And that is a lie. Jeff, you're-you're lying to me. 451 00:24:52,033 --> 00:24:53,868 This machine is 100% accurate, 452 00:24:53,951 --> 00:24:56,621 and it's telling me that you're a lying murderer. 453 00:24:56,704 --> 00:24:58,122 It's wrong. 454 00:24:58,206 --> 00:25:00,166 -Where's Detective Tom? -No, no. 455 00:25:00,249 --> 00:25:01,667 He knows I'm not, I'm not lying. 456 00:25:01,751 --> 00:25:03,669 There is no Detective Tom to save you. 457 00:25:03,753 --> 00:25:06,589 This machine is the only thing that is gonna save you. 458 00:25:06,672 --> 00:25:09,842 And right now, this machine is telling me, young man, 459 00:25:09,926 --> 00:25:12,428 that you are a liar. 460 00:25:12,929 --> 00:25:14,263 No. 461 00:25:15,306 --> 00:25:17,058 No. 462 00:25:24,106 --> 00:25:28,152 Why can't I leave? 463 00:25:28,236 --> 00:25:29,862 Here's the situation, Jeff. 464 00:25:30,780 --> 00:25:33,950 If I submit this polygraph test to the D.A., 465 00:25:34,033 --> 00:25:36,953 he is going to prosecute you for rape and murder. 466 00:25:37,036 --> 00:25:38,996 -No. No. -Okay? 467 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:40,414 He is. 468 00:25:40,498 --> 00:25:44,001 Your only hope, and I keep trying to make you understand this, 469 00:25:44,085 --> 00:25:45,920 is to tell the truth. 470 00:25:47,171 --> 00:25:50,800 If you confess, then the D.A. can reduce your sentence. 471 00:25:50,883 --> 00:25:55,012 Okay? He might not even prosecute you 'cause you're a 16-year-old kid. 472 00:25:55,096 --> 00:25:57,974 But I didn't do those things. 473 00:25:58,057 --> 00:25:59,892 Again, look at this. 474 00:25:59,976 --> 00:26:01,185 You're lying! 475 00:26:02,019 --> 00:26:05,815 You're lying. This is science. Okay, science doesn't lie. 476 00:26:05,898 --> 00:26:07,525 It is you who lies. 477 00:26:07,608 --> 00:26:09,318 Maybe it's broken, then. 478 00:26:09,402 --> 00:26:12,238 No! It is not broken. What it is, it's telling me 479 00:26:12,321 --> 00:26:16,033 that you raped and murdered Angela Correa. That's what it's doing! 480 00:26:19,745 --> 00:26:21,747 Okay. You know what? 481 00:26:22,790 --> 00:26:25,126 I am taking a lunch break. 482 00:26:25,209 --> 00:26:27,962 Yep. And you... 483 00:26:29,672 --> 00:26:32,550 you got one more chance to come clean. 484 00:26:32,633 --> 00:26:34,176 Can I get some food? 485 00:26:36,470 --> 00:26:39,181 And I'm thirsty. All I have is this coffee. 486 00:26:41,183 --> 00:26:44,854 If you want some food and some drink... 487 00:26:46,022 --> 00:26:47,565 I will get you all you want. 488 00:26:50,026 --> 00:26:51,694 Just tell the truth, kid. 489 00:26:52,862 --> 00:26:54,196 I am. 490 00:27:03,914 --> 00:27:06,208 Look, Jeff... 491 00:27:06,292 --> 00:27:08,586 it's time for the truth here. 492 00:27:09,670 --> 00:27:11,047 What if... 493 00:27:12,465 --> 00:27:17,720 you actually did this, but then you just blocked it out? 494 00:27:17,803 --> 00:27:20,723 Is that possible? What do you think? 495 00:27:22,016 --> 00:27:24,685 I don't know. Maybe. 496 00:27:26,437 --> 00:27:27,772 Well, look at this. 497 00:27:28,898 --> 00:27:34,403 Look at this. Finally, the machine is telling me... 498 00:27:34,487 --> 00:27:37,031 that you're being truthful. 499 00:27:37,114 --> 00:27:40,368 Huh? Congratulations. 500 00:27:42,411 --> 00:27:44,121 So, I can leave now? 501 00:27:44,205 --> 00:27:46,832 Almost. Okay? 502 00:27:46,916 --> 00:27:50,211 Almost. I'm gonna have Detective Tom come in here. He's gonna wrap this up. 503 00:27:51,462 --> 00:27:55,466 Ask you a few more questions. And if you answer truthfully... 504 00:27:56,801 --> 00:27:58,094 he's gonna be able to take you home. 505 00:28:00,763 --> 00:28:04,683 I call Detective Stephens of Putnam County. 506 00:28:06,435 --> 00:28:08,062 You may inquire, Mr. Bakman. 507 00:28:08,145 --> 00:28:11,023 Thank you, Your Honor. Detective Stephens, tell the jury if you would, 508 00:28:11,107 --> 00:28:13,984 what your current profession or occupation is. 509 00:28:14,068 --> 00:28:17,446 Uh, I am a detective with the Putnam County Police Department, 510 00:28:17,530 --> 00:28:19,365 as well as a polygraph examiner. 511 00:28:19,448 --> 00:28:24,870 Now, on January 25th, did you administer a polygraph 512 00:28:24,954 --> 00:28:26,831 -to the defendant in this case? -I did. 513 00:28:26,914 --> 00:28:33,546 And tell me, did Mr. Deskovic voluntarily submit to the poly? 514 00:28:33,629 --> 00:28:34,713 Yes, he did. 515 00:28:34,797 --> 00:28:37,258 What's the basis for that statement? 516 00:28:37,341 --> 00:28:40,386 I was informed by Detectives Levine and McIntyre 517 00:28:40,469 --> 00:28:42,763 that he had agreed to take the polygraph. 518 00:28:42,847 --> 00:28:45,307 Was he free to leave at any time? 519 00:28:45,391 --> 00:28:46,934 Yes. 520 00:28:47,017 --> 00:28:50,271 And when you administer a poly, 521 00:28:50,354 --> 00:28:54,775 are you allowed to tell the suspect that he's failing the test? 522 00:28:54,859 --> 00:28:55,860 Yes. 523 00:28:55,943 --> 00:28:57,612 Are you allowed to lie to the suspect? 524 00:28:57,695 --> 00:28:58,696 Yes. 525 00:28:58,779 --> 00:29:00,573 Is that a violation of your department policy? 526 00:29:00,656 --> 00:29:01,699 It is not. 527 00:29:01,782 --> 00:29:03,618 -Is that illegal in any way? -It is not. 528 00:29:03,701 --> 00:29:06,287 Did you record your interrogation? 529 00:29:06,370 --> 00:29:07,371 I did not. 530 00:29:07,455 --> 00:29:09,999 Is there a requirement that you record? 531 00:29:10,082 --> 00:29:11,500 It is not a requirement, no. 532 00:29:11,584 --> 00:29:12,877 No further questions. 533 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:13,961 You may inquire. 534 00:29:14,044 --> 00:29:16,214 Detective, you first started working on this case 535 00:29:16,297 --> 00:29:19,592 after you got a call from the Peekskill Police Department. 536 00:29:19,675 --> 00:29:20,801 -Correct? -Correct. 537 00:29:20,885 --> 00:29:23,679 And they wrote you a letter specifically telling you 538 00:29:23,762 --> 00:29:26,182 that they had a lack of physical evidence, 539 00:29:26,265 --> 00:29:30,186 a lack of witnesses or investigative leads. 540 00:29:30,269 --> 00:29:31,729 -Right? -Yes. 541 00:29:31,812 --> 00:29:34,607 But they still wanted you to help in getting a confession 542 00:29:34,690 --> 00:29:37,818 out of the person that they believed to be guilty. 543 00:29:37,902 --> 00:29:39,195 -Right? -Yes. 544 00:29:39,278 --> 00:29:42,323 But this particular day, you weren't testing a person 545 00:29:42,406 --> 00:29:44,575 to see if he was telling the truth or not, right? 546 00:29:44,658 --> 00:29:45,701 No. 547 00:29:45,784 --> 00:29:49,079 Your goal was something else, and that was to get a confession from him. 548 00:29:49,163 --> 00:29:50,247 That is correct. 549 00:29:50,331 --> 00:29:52,249 Whether or not he was guilty. 550 00:29:52,333 --> 00:29:55,419 Now, you particularly were proud of the fact 551 00:29:55,503 --> 00:29:59,798 that you had a knack for getting confessions from suspects. Right? 552 00:29:59,882 --> 00:30:03,177 Uh, I have a certain reputation that I am proud of, yes. 553 00:30:03,260 --> 00:30:06,972 And, Detective, did I understand this correctly on direct examination, 554 00:30:07,056 --> 00:30:10,726 when Mr. Bakman asked you whether you fed this boy 555 00:30:10,809 --> 00:30:13,938 during the six-plus hours that he was strapped to that machine 556 00:30:14,021 --> 00:30:15,856 in your office, you said no? 557 00:30:15,940 --> 00:30:18,067 I did say no. He didn't ask for any. 558 00:30:18,150 --> 00:30:20,069 -You ate, didn't you? -I did. 559 00:30:20,152 --> 00:30:22,405 But you didn't offer the boy who was strapped in the machine 560 00:30:22,488 --> 00:30:24,114 during six hours any food? 561 00:30:24,198 --> 00:30:26,909 No. Again, as I said, he did not request any food. 562 00:30:29,078 --> 00:30:32,456 Did you want to weaken him to make it more likely that he would confess? 563 00:30:32,540 --> 00:30:35,501 No. I don't think that's a fair characterization, counselor. 564 00:30:35,584 --> 00:30:37,169 But you did give him coffee. 565 00:30:37,253 --> 00:30:38,796 He asked for coffee, I gave him coffee. 566 00:30:38,879 --> 00:30:42,925 Did you want him to be nervous so he might be more prone to confess? 567 00:30:43,008 --> 00:30:45,386 Again, I don't agree with that characterization. 568 00:30:45,469 --> 00:30:47,596 Well, did you think about it, sir? 569 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:49,390 Whether or not he'd get nervous with coffee? 570 00:30:49,473 --> 00:30:50,474 Yeah. 571 00:30:51,058 --> 00:30:52,184 Maybe. 572 00:30:52,268 --> 00:30:53,561 Okay. 573 00:30:53,644 --> 00:30:56,772 You're of course concerned about the effect 574 00:30:56,855 --> 00:31:00,442 that your interrogation techniques will have on the suspect himself, right? 575 00:31:00,526 --> 00:31:02,069 -No. -You don't care at all. 576 00:31:02,152 --> 00:31:04,738 The technique's purpose was to get a confession. 577 00:31:04,822 --> 00:31:05,906 That was my job. 578 00:31:05,990 --> 00:31:08,242 And you don't care if he feels coerced at all? 579 00:31:08,325 --> 00:31:11,704 As long as I am within the law and the procedures of my department. 580 00:31:11,787 --> 00:31:13,914 That's what my job is. 581 00:31:13,998 --> 00:31:18,794 But during that entire time that you were interrogating him, 582 00:31:18,877 --> 00:31:21,297 you never heard him confess to anything, right? 583 00:31:21,380 --> 00:31:23,132 -Yes. -Thank you, Detective. 584 00:31:23,215 --> 00:31:24,258 I'm done, Judge. 585 00:31:24,341 --> 00:31:25,551 Witness is excused. 586 00:31:26,844 --> 00:31:28,471 Mr. Bakman, who's your next witness, sir? 587 00:31:28,554 --> 00:31:30,431 Detective McIntyre, Your Honor. 588 00:31:32,558 --> 00:31:33,726 You may inquire, sir. 589 00:31:33,809 --> 00:31:36,812 Detective McIntyre, if you would, can you explain to the jury 590 00:31:36,895 --> 00:31:38,356 your current profession or occupation. 591 00:31:38,439 --> 00:31:40,816 Detective for Peekskill Homicide. 592 00:31:40,899 --> 00:31:43,652 And, Detective, were you in fact investigating 593 00:31:43,736 --> 00:31:47,531 the rape and the murder of a 15-year-old girl, Angela Correa? 594 00:31:47,615 --> 00:31:48,699 Yes, sir. 595 00:31:48,782 --> 00:31:53,954 Did the focus at some point land on the defendant to my left? 596 00:31:54,038 --> 00:31:55,289 Yes, sir. 597 00:31:55,372 --> 00:32:00,044 And why did the focus of suspicion fall on Deskovic over here? 598 00:32:00,127 --> 00:32:04,298 Well, about eight days after we found her, we sought counsel 599 00:32:04,381 --> 00:32:08,052 from a specialist over at New York Police Department. 600 00:32:08,135 --> 00:32:12,306 He was part of the Criminal Assessment and Profiling Unit, 601 00:32:12,389 --> 00:32:16,769 and he gave us a profile of who the killer might be. 602 00:32:16,852 --> 00:32:20,397 And did that profile match characteristics 603 00:32:20,481 --> 00:32:22,941 that were consistent with what the defendant had? 604 00:32:23,025 --> 00:32:24,109 Yes, sir. 605 00:32:24,193 --> 00:32:26,570 And what kind of characteristics matched? 606 00:32:26,654 --> 00:32:29,823 The first characteristic was most likely under 19; 607 00:32:29,907 --> 00:32:33,786 five-ten or shorter. Also had a loner type, 608 00:32:33,869 --> 00:32:36,914 and you know, some violent tendencies. 609 00:32:36,997 --> 00:32:40,376 Now, did you and your partner play good cop, bad cop with the defendant? 610 00:32:40,459 --> 00:32:41,543 Yes, sir. 611 00:32:41,627 --> 00:32:43,671 And did you befriend the defendant in this case? 612 00:32:43,754 --> 00:32:44,797 Yes, sir. 613 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:48,676 And you did that in the hopes that you would develop evidence 614 00:32:48,759 --> 00:32:51,428 or possibly a confession. Is that right? 615 00:32:51,512 --> 00:32:52,805 Yes, sir. 616 00:32:52,888 --> 00:32:57,434 And tell me, were you present during the interrogation 617 00:32:57,518 --> 00:33:01,355 and polygraph examination by Stephens in this case? 618 00:33:01,438 --> 00:33:02,439 Yes, sir. 619 00:33:02,523 --> 00:33:04,942 And at some point in time, were you brought in 620 00:33:05,025 --> 00:33:09,613 to conduct the remaining portion of the defendant's interrogation? 621 00:33:09,697 --> 00:33:10,823 Yes, I did. 622 00:33:10,906 --> 00:33:13,325 And you were brought in for what reason, sir? 623 00:33:13,409 --> 00:33:15,327 To have him talk to me. 624 00:33:15,411 --> 00:33:18,288 Like I said, I utilized my trust and my relationship with him. 625 00:33:18,372 --> 00:33:20,332 And were you able to get a confession? 626 00:33:20,416 --> 00:33:21,625 Yes, sir. 627 00:33:34,638 --> 00:33:35,681 Hey, Jeff. 628 00:33:37,266 --> 00:33:39,977 I'm so proud of you, man. 629 00:33:40,060 --> 00:33:41,603 You're almost out of here. 630 00:33:41,687 --> 00:33:45,566 And we'll go get some pizza. Whatever you want. 631 00:33:45,649 --> 00:33:46,650 Okay. 632 00:33:48,235 --> 00:33:50,112 I'm really hungry. 633 00:33:52,197 --> 00:33:53,282 So... 634 00:33:54,992 --> 00:33:57,536 did you go to the woods on November 15th? 635 00:33:57,619 --> 00:34:00,289 Yes. 636 00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:03,417 Perfect. 637 00:34:05,169 --> 00:34:07,671 And did you hit Angela Correa with a bottle? 638 00:34:09,172 --> 00:34:11,717 Yes. 639 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:13,969 You're doing so great. 640 00:34:14,052 --> 00:34:16,554 Almost there, almost there. 641 00:34:19,308 --> 00:34:20,684 Did you rape her? 642 00:34:20,768 --> 00:34:25,355 Yes. 643 00:34:26,899 --> 00:34:28,065 That's right. 644 00:34:35,282 --> 00:34:37,743 And did you choke her until she stopped breathing? 645 00:34:37,826 --> 00:34:41,580 Yes. 646 00:34:43,956 --> 00:34:46,627 It's okay. Stand up, stand up. I got you. 647 00:34:48,212 --> 00:34:51,380 There you go, there you go. Come on. 648 00:34:51,465 --> 00:34:52,591 Come here. 649 00:34:56,637 --> 00:34:58,138 Thank you, Jeffrey. 650 00:34:59,807 --> 00:35:01,350 Thank you for telling me the truth. 651 00:35:04,686 --> 00:35:07,564 And tell me, did you believe you had your man 652 00:35:07,648 --> 00:35:11,568 after getting the details from Deskovic? 653 00:35:11,652 --> 00:35:13,278 Oh, 100%, yes. 654 00:35:13,362 --> 00:35:15,030 No further questions. 655 00:35:15,113 --> 00:35:16,365 You may inquire. 656 00:35:16,448 --> 00:35:18,951 Detective, you were involved in this investigation 657 00:35:19,034 --> 00:35:21,036 from the very beginning, November 17th, weren't you? 658 00:35:21,119 --> 00:35:22,120 Yes, sir. 659 00:35:22,204 --> 00:35:24,581 And right off the bat, you had developed no leads, 660 00:35:24,665 --> 00:35:26,667 no suspects in the first two weeks. Right? 661 00:35:26,750 --> 00:35:27,751 No. 662 00:35:27,835 --> 00:35:30,296 That's why you went to the Criminal Profiler. Is that right? 663 00:35:30,379 --> 00:35:31,463 That's correct. 664 00:35:31,547 --> 00:35:34,842 And he told you it was likely a young child under 25 years old, 665 00:35:34,925 --> 00:35:37,302 -someone who knew the victim? -Yes, sir. 666 00:35:37,386 --> 00:35:39,721 One of the other things in that profile was 667 00:35:39,805 --> 00:35:42,307 that the perpetrator had likely had a violent past. 668 00:35:42,391 --> 00:35:43,392 Correct. 669 00:35:43,475 --> 00:35:46,603 But you knew that Jeffrey Deskovic had no violent past. 670 00:35:46,687 --> 00:35:47,855 -Right? -Correct. 671 00:35:48,939 --> 00:35:52,609 But nonetheless, he became a suspect to you 672 00:35:52,693 --> 00:35:56,238 because he was a loner, socially awkward, 673 00:35:56,321 --> 00:36:00,617 and he showed up late for school the next day after she was killed. 674 00:36:00,701 --> 00:36:04,204 And three, because he was emotional at her services. 675 00:36:04,288 --> 00:36:05,539 -Correct? -Correct. 676 00:36:06,665 --> 00:36:08,667 You did a little good cop, bad cop, 677 00:36:08,750 --> 00:36:11,629 which you thought might work on him, but he still insisted he didn't do it. 678 00:36:11,712 --> 00:36:14,006 -You buddied up to him, correct? -Yes, sir. 679 00:36:14,089 --> 00:36:17,509 And when it was all done, he still wouldn't confess. Right? 680 00:36:17,593 --> 00:36:18,594 Yes, sir. 681 00:36:18,677 --> 00:36:21,972 So, you set up the polygraph machine for January 25th. 682 00:36:22,055 --> 00:36:23,265 Yes, sir. 683 00:36:23,348 --> 00:36:25,142 -And you were his ride, right? -Yes. 684 00:36:25,225 --> 00:36:28,770 This 16-year-old didn't have another ride to get back out of there 685 00:36:28,854 --> 00:36:30,522 -other than you. -That's correct. 686 00:36:30,606 --> 00:36:33,692 And that lasted at least six hours. 687 00:36:33,775 --> 00:36:34,818 Yes, sir. 688 00:36:34,902 --> 00:36:38,071 And six hours of no one offering him a way home. 689 00:36:38,155 --> 00:36:39,197 -Right? -Yes, sir. 690 00:36:39,281 --> 00:36:41,909 Now, after repeatedly denying 691 00:36:41,992 --> 00:36:44,077 that he had anything to do with this crime, 692 00:36:44,161 --> 00:36:48,707 you heard Detective Stephens say he wanted to see you. 693 00:36:48,790 --> 00:36:49,791 Yes, sir. 694 00:36:49,875 --> 00:36:52,294 -Then you came into the room. -Yes, sir. 695 00:36:52,377 --> 00:36:54,504 You were the friendly detective. 696 00:36:54,588 --> 00:36:55,798 -Yes, sir. -The good cop. 697 00:36:55,881 --> 00:37:00,218 And you told Jeffrey, "Look, I am here to protect you..." 698 00:37:00,302 --> 00:37:02,387 -Yes, sir. -"But you have to help me." 699 00:37:02,471 --> 00:37:03,889 You have to talk to me. Yes, sir. 700 00:37:03,972 --> 00:37:06,016 You have to confess to this crime. 701 00:37:06,099 --> 00:37:07,100 Yes, sir. 702 00:37:07,184 --> 00:37:08,853 And if you do that, you can go home. 703 00:37:08,936 --> 00:37:09,978 Yes, sir. 704 00:37:10,062 --> 00:37:13,106 So, after you told him that he could go home 705 00:37:13,190 --> 00:37:15,067 if he confessed to you, he starts sobbing. 706 00:37:15,150 --> 00:37:16,151 Yes, sir. 707 00:37:16,234 --> 00:37:18,403 He's so emotional that he drops to the floor. 708 00:37:18,487 --> 00:37:20,781 He curls up in a fetal position, right? 709 00:37:20,864 --> 00:37:21,949 Yes, sir. 710 00:37:22,032 --> 00:37:23,909 -He confesses to you. -Yes, sir. 711 00:37:23,992 --> 00:37:28,163 Now, when you're taking a confession or a statement from a suspect, 712 00:37:28,246 --> 00:37:32,834 you like to be sure that it is a voluntary statement, right? 713 00:37:32,918 --> 00:37:35,754 It cannot be the product of police coercion, right? 714 00:37:35,837 --> 00:37:36,838 Yes, sir. 715 00:37:36,922 --> 00:37:40,342 When you say you picked up a child from school, 716 00:37:40,425 --> 00:37:44,429 took him to another town, interrogated him for seven hours 717 00:37:44,513 --> 00:37:47,891 until he's a sobbing mess on the floor in a fetal position, 718 00:37:47,975 --> 00:37:49,768 you call that voluntary? 719 00:37:49,851 --> 00:37:50,852 I believe so, sir. 720 00:37:52,062 --> 00:37:54,147 Thank you. I have no more questions. 721 00:37:54,231 --> 00:37:55,649 Witness is excused. 722 00:37:57,776 --> 00:37:59,486 Counsel, ready for closing arguments? 723 00:37:59,569 --> 00:38:01,071 -Yes, Your Honor. -Yes. 724 00:38:01,154 --> 00:38:03,198 -Mr. Mentzer. -Thank you, Your Honor. 725 00:38:03,281 --> 00:38:06,994 When Angela Correa was brutally murdered in the town of Peekskill, 726 00:38:07,077 --> 00:38:12,207 the job of solving the case fell on three Peekskill police detectives 727 00:38:12,290 --> 00:38:14,626 who were clearly not up to the job. 728 00:38:14,710 --> 00:38:18,422 Without any suspects, they chose a suspect, basically at random. 729 00:38:18,505 --> 00:38:22,509 And when I say basically at random, I mean because he happens to be a loner 730 00:38:22,592 --> 00:38:24,720 or socially awkward as a high school kid 731 00:38:24,803 --> 00:38:28,974 and happens to have shown some sympathy to his fallen classmate 732 00:38:29,057 --> 00:38:32,894 who had been murdered in a violent way, that made him the suspect. 733 00:38:32,978 --> 00:38:34,730 It didn't matter that from the beginning, 734 00:38:34,813 --> 00:38:37,357 there was nothing about this boy that seemed like a murderer. 735 00:38:37,441 --> 00:38:41,403 No violent record, no history of sexual aggression, nothing at all. 736 00:38:41,486 --> 00:38:44,239 No connection with Angela at all. 737 00:38:44,322 --> 00:38:46,908 Didn't matter because all they needed was a confession. 738 00:38:46,992 --> 00:38:49,578 And they set about to get that confession from him. 739 00:38:49,661 --> 00:38:52,414 And that's when they pulled out their final trick, 740 00:38:52,497 --> 00:38:53,790 which was the polygraph exam. 741 00:38:53,874 --> 00:38:56,376 And it wasn't a polygraph exam, let's be honest. 742 00:38:56,460 --> 00:39:01,715 This exam, it was designed to get a confession from a 16-year-old boy. 743 00:39:01,798 --> 00:39:05,302 And finally, it worked. And the way it worked, 744 00:39:05,385 --> 00:39:08,764 Detective McIntyre gave him the way out. 745 00:39:08,847 --> 00:39:12,726 That way out was confess, and you go home. 746 00:39:12,809 --> 00:39:13,852 What do you think he did? 747 00:39:13,935 --> 00:39:17,856 So, what happened after he confessed on January 25th? 748 00:39:17,939 --> 00:39:20,400 Ah, the scientific evidence comes in, 749 00:39:20,484 --> 00:39:23,820 the hair removed from the leg of Angela. 750 00:39:23,904 --> 00:39:26,364 Not only did it not come from Jeffrey, 751 00:39:26,448 --> 00:39:28,450 but it came from someone of another race. 752 00:39:28,533 --> 00:39:34,498 The DNA of the semen removed from her excluded this boy as a supplier of it. 753 00:39:34,581 --> 00:39:36,291 This boy's innocent. 754 00:39:36,374 --> 00:39:39,795 That's how anybody else would've taken it. 755 00:39:39,878 --> 00:39:41,505 But not this prosecution. 756 00:39:42,255 --> 00:39:45,509 Today, this nightmare has to come to an end 757 00:39:45,592 --> 00:39:48,720 because he is innocent. Thank you. 758 00:39:48,804 --> 00:39:50,347 Thank you, counselor. Mr. Bakman. 759 00:39:50,430 --> 00:39:52,682 Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, 760 00:39:52,766 --> 00:39:55,811 let's look at the objective evidence in this case. 761 00:39:55,894 --> 00:39:59,064 What did the officers focus their suspicion on? 762 00:39:59,147 --> 00:40:03,068 One, the defendant in this case had opportunity, 763 00:40:03,151 --> 00:40:07,280 he had the means to kill, and he had the motive to kill. 764 00:40:07,364 --> 00:40:10,450 So, in looking at this through the lens of hindsight, 765 00:40:10,534 --> 00:40:13,745 don't you believe the police had a good faith reason 766 00:40:13,829 --> 00:40:17,207 to focus their suspicion on Deskovic? 767 00:40:17,290 --> 00:40:20,085 Absolutely. You know, there's an old saying, 768 00:40:20,168 --> 00:40:22,879 in criminal law, if you don't have the facts, 769 00:40:22,963 --> 00:40:24,756 argue nonsense. 770 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:27,717 And that's what the defense is doing in this case. 771 00:40:27,801 --> 00:40:32,848 The defense is engaging in smoke and mirrors. 772 00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:36,059 What they want to do is they want to mislead you 773 00:40:36,143 --> 00:40:38,854 from the objective evidence in this case, 774 00:40:38,937 --> 00:40:44,359 and he wants you to believe the officers engaged in improper tactics. 775 00:40:44,442 --> 00:40:47,988 Again, smoke and mirrors because that's all he's got. 776 00:40:48,071 --> 00:40:52,701 He's gotta reconcile the fact that his client sitting over there 777 00:40:52,784 --> 00:40:58,623 confessed with details as to the killing, the assault. 778 00:40:58,707 --> 00:41:00,041 He knew these details, 779 00:41:00,125 --> 00:41:04,254 not because the police shared the details with the defendant. 780 00:41:04,337 --> 00:41:09,092 He knew the details because this kid is the killer 781 00:41:09,176 --> 00:41:11,136 of a 15-year-old girl, 782 00:41:11,219 --> 00:41:14,472 and we have proven this case beyond a reasonable doubt. 783 00:41:14,556 --> 00:41:18,310 I ask you to return with a verdict of guilty in this case. Thank you. 784 00:41:18,393 --> 00:41:19,513 Thank you, Mr. Bakman. 785 00:41:21,104 --> 00:41:24,858 Members of the jury, you have now heard all of the evidence, 786 00:41:24,941 --> 00:41:28,862 and you are charged with the obligation to consider all that you've heard 787 00:41:28,945 --> 00:41:31,698 and to determine whether the People have established 788 00:41:31,781 --> 00:41:33,617 beyond a reasonable doubt 789 00:41:33,700 --> 00:41:36,786 that the accused is guilty of murder and rape. 790 00:41:36,870 --> 00:41:39,080 The jury will now retire to deliberate. 791 00:41:45,295 --> 00:41:46,922 Court, come to order. 792 00:41:47,005 --> 00:41:49,466 The Honorable Judge Judy Sheindlin presiding. 793 00:41:49,549 --> 00:41:50,842 Thank you. 794 00:41:50,926 --> 00:41:53,595 Kevin, may I have the verdict, please? 795 00:41:56,389 --> 00:41:58,683 Mr. Deskovic, will you please rise? 796 00:42:01,770 --> 00:42:05,941 On count one of the indictment, that is rape in the first degree, 797 00:42:06,024 --> 00:42:07,859 the jury finds you guilty, sir. 798 00:42:09,110 --> 00:42:11,363 On count two of the indictment, 799 00:42:11,446 --> 00:42:13,114 murder in the second degree, 800 00:42:13,198 --> 00:42:16,868 the jury finds you guilty as charged in the indictment. 801 00:42:16,952 --> 00:42:22,040 Do you wish to make a statement before the court imposes sentence? 802 00:42:22,123 --> 00:42:23,416 Yes, Your Honor. 803 00:42:23,500 --> 00:42:28,964 First, I would like to thank my family and my attorney 804 00:42:29,047 --> 00:42:33,176 for standing by me through this terrible time. 805 00:42:33,260 --> 00:42:35,011 And second, I would like to say that... 806 00:42:35,095 --> 00:42:41,393 I've already lost over a year of my life for something I didn't do. 807 00:42:41,476 --> 00:42:46,356 And I'm about to lose so much more time, and I didn't do anything. 808 00:42:46,439 --> 00:42:48,191 I will be back on appeal. 809 00:42:48,275 --> 00:42:49,901 I will be free. 810 00:42:50,735 --> 00:42:55,573 Mr. Deskovic, you may very well be innocent of this crime, 811 00:42:55,657 --> 00:42:57,993 but the jury in this case has spoken, 812 00:42:58,076 --> 00:43:01,788 and they have evaluated the evidence, and you have been found guilty as charged. 813 00:43:01,871 --> 00:43:05,875 Maximum sentence that I can impose is 25 years to life. 814 00:43:05,959 --> 00:43:10,338 I choose, however, to impose the lesser sentence of 15 years to life. 815 00:43:11,756 --> 00:43:15,302 You are remanded to the Commissioner of Corrections to begin that sentence. 816 00:43:15,385 --> 00:43:18,430 Thank you, counsel. Thank you, members of the jury. 817 00:43:23,226 --> 00:43:25,812 By the way, those words I said to Jeffrey 818 00:43:25,895 --> 00:43:29,733 are exactly what the real judge said to him at his sentencing. 819 00:43:29,816 --> 00:43:33,862 Nevertheless, his guilty verdict was upheld on appeal. 820 00:43:33,945 --> 00:43:36,406 The court relied on the detectives' testimony 821 00:43:36,489 --> 00:43:39,451 and about how the confession was obtained. 822 00:43:39,534 --> 00:43:42,787 Remember, the confession wasn't recorded. 823 00:43:43,788 --> 00:43:46,499 Jeffrey went to prison for 16 years. 824 00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:49,336 Ready to throw your shoe at the TV yet? 825 00:43:50,545 --> 00:43:54,549 All I can say is, that wasn't the end of the story. 826 00:43:54,632 --> 00:43:58,678 Be sure to watch our next episode for the shocking conclusion. 826 00:43:59,305 --> 00:44:59,824