Dateline recollected the story of O.J. Simpson from 20 years ago last night in a two-hour special. It’s one case I am surprised people ask me about in person. I think the truth is so evident its painful.
I do not believe O.J. Simpson at all and never have.
What do you think?
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48 Hours Mystery talked about the disappearance of Michele Harris this week, and the multiple trials Cal Harris has faced for Michele’s murder. So far, Cal Harris he been convicted twice of murdering Michele. However, both times, he managed to get the verdicts thrown out. It’s mind-boggling. He is facing his third trial this coming September.
Cal Harris is a wealthy and influential businessman in Owego, New York. No surprise.
Cal came forward on 48 Hours to talk about the case for the first time, yet ironically, he barred 48 Hours from openly asking questions. That’s interesting, don’t you think?
He limited the questions he would answer by Erin Moriarty and frankly, he didn’t say anything that gave us a reason to believe him.
Furthermore, I found it astounding that Cal doesn’t want answers. At the press conference held this March by Cal, if you notice in the poster that was displayed, “Her kids want answers”.
Isn’t that interesting?
It’s interesting on two fronts: Not only is Cal speaking and creating this poster on behalf of his children (which shows control by Cal that they aren’t doing this on their own–because Cal create it), it also doesn’t say “WE” want answers– meaning Cal isn’t seeking answers. He doesn’t seem to have a need to know who did this, does he? He thinks only his kids should want answers. Hmmm…. I think it was a pretty big slip, if you ask me.
I also wanted to state that I believe Michele’s boyfriend Brian Earley and the nanny Barbara Thayer.
I do not believe Kevin Tubbs at all. It took him six years to come up with his story? Unbelievable. But his words alone give me reason not to buy what he is saying.
Sad story all around. I believe Cal Harris knows exactly where Michele’s body is.
Every now and then I open up the blog for questions. If you have a question about me or deception you’d like to ask — this is your forum! I will reply to questions in the comment area over the next several days!
Of all the questions that arise when I doing training, the one I least expected was, “Since you understand deception so well, are you the perfect liar?”
I remember the first time it was asked, I was blown away.
In real life, people trust me and tell me I have an honest face, so this was a bit alarming! Why would anyone think that of me, I thought. But when I thought about it more, I could see the point of the question.
It makes sense, doesn’t it?
But there is good news! The answer is no, I am not the perfect liar nor could I be, even knowing what I know about deception and human behavior.
And the reason is simple. Clues leak to deception for two reasons: First because we are under a higher cognitive load when we tell a lie–we have to balance the truth from a lie) which causes clues to leak naturally. And second, because we want to succeed with our lie, we naturally put pressure on ourselves to succeed and that pressure increases our cognitive load emotionally, which also causes clues to leak.
The more pressure on a person to get away with a lie, the higher likelihood they will leak clues. And in high stake scenarios, we naturally put pressure on ourselves with our desire to be successful and hence we slip up.
So while I know what the clues to deception are, if I try to make sure cognitively that I don’t display any of them, what am I doing to my cognitive load?
I’m sending it through the moon, aren’t I? So what are the chances I would leak clues? The chances are greatly elevated.
Just imagine my thought process trying to tell a lie…blah, blah, blah…don’t forget you can’t stare someone dead in the face, don’t move your shoulder or your lip…what was I saying, oh yeah…blah, blah, blah…did I just move my shoulder? Bahhh!!! What was I saying? Oh yeah, blah, blah…wait…don’t skip pronouns, confuse verb tense — uh…stutter, stutter…. at this point, my lie would blaring for all the world to see LOL!
So while I may understand deception on a detailed level, it doesn’t mean I would be the perfect liar.
And furthermore that is why I am comfortable openly teaching my material to people because if I teach my material to someone sinister, its very unlikely for even more reasons than I am discussing here that he or she will be able to become a better liar either. Actually, the converse is true. If they focus on all the clues I teach, it will only cause them to leak even more clues, which is candy for me!
Update: For those who are curious what makes a good liar, this article is for you.
Here is a hilarious letter supposedly sent home from an 8-year old boy at summer camp (click link, scroll down to photos).
I honestly don’t buy this was written by an child, but it is humorous nonetheless, and thought you’d enjoy a good laugh!
Why don’t I believe this?
Most kids wouldn’t want to admit they had “diyareeya”. They would be too embarrassed.
I also cannot imagine kids being allowed to eat that many push-pops — due to the cost alone — let alone health conscious parents screaming back that this is rotting their kids teeth out!
And most kids wouldn’t want to use a stranger’s tooth brush. They scream cooties!
Plus, a rifle? Seriously? In today’s day and age–at a camp with kids? I don’t see it.
But I have to say this woman does find the funny spots. For that, I give her kudos!