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<p>The authors investigated a coerced and potentially false confession to homicide and sexual assault made by a 15-year-old with an intellectual disability in rural Michigan in 1928. The authors examined the totality of the circumstances of the interrogation in this illustrative case, particularly the vulnerable suspect, cognitive biases of police and other investigators, and coercive tactics. The authors also examined contamination; the suspect’s confession included information provided by the police, who induced the defendant to revise his confession multiple times until it fit detectives’ beliefs about the crime. The child made some false admissions and some improbable admissions, and these statements led to his <i>guilty</i> plea and 31&#xa0;years in prison. Although no determination of guilt is possible, this case provides an opportunity to evaluate factors, including police psychology, associated with his coerced confession as well as legal reforms needed since that time, some of which have been implemented. The authors review important reforms since 1928, particularly for juvenile defendants, for suspects who face interrogation, and for children who face interrogation. Finally, the authors call for additional reforms and additional research that this case reveals were needed in 1928 and remain needed today.</p>

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Suspect Vulnerability, Coercion, and Contamination: Illustrating Reforms Since 1928 and Reforms Needed Today

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月4日

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  • William Douglas Woody,
  • Austin D. Hamilton

摘要

The authors investigated a coerced and potentially false confession to homicide and sexual assault made by a 15-year-old with an intellectual disability in rural Michigan in 1928. The authors examined the totality of the circumstances of the interrogation in this illustrative case, particularly the vulnerable suspect, cognitive biases of police and other investigators, and coercive tactics. The authors also examined contamination; the suspect’s confession included information provided by the police, who induced the defendant to revise his confession multiple times until it fit detectives’ beliefs about the crime. The child made some false admissions and some improbable admissions, and these statements led to his guilty plea and 31 years in prison. Although no determination of guilt is possible, this case provides an opportunity to evaluate factors, including police psychology, associated with his coerced confession as well as legal reforms needed since that time, some of which have been implemented. The authors review important reforms since 1928, particularly for juvenile defendants, for suspects who face interrogation, and for children who face interrogation. Finally, the authors call for additional reforms and additional research that this case reveals were needed in 1928 and remain needed today.