As readers of this blog know, I have called attention to the dangerous and widespread practice of allowing police to lie to suspects. Obviously, sometimes this tactic works. But one cannot prove that this tactic works by looking to a confession as proof of guilt. Innocent people are more likely to disbelieve their own memories and falsely confess to a crime they did not commit after police lie to them about phony evidence they have found. This excellent piece in the the New York Times discusses pending legislation in New York State that would prevent the unsavory practice. Michigan and Ohio should do the same.
To read the full N.Y. Times article, “It’s Time for Police to Stop Lying to Suspects”, click here.