The Norfolk Four are case studies in how interrogation techniques used in nearly every American police department can elicit false confessions.

     In July of 1998 Daniel Williams, a former Navy Sailor in his mid twenties with an IQ in the low nineties was accused of a brutal rape and murder. Through the course of interrogation by the Norfolk Virginia Police Department Williams falsely confessed to the crime. Daniel Williams was wholly innocent but the process he underwent truly convinced him of his own guilt.

      The problem was, Daniel Williams wasn't the only one who confessed to the same murder. Norfolk Police managed to get no less than four men though falsely confess to the same crime. These men were prosecuted, convicted and sentenced...three of them to double life sentences without parole. The convictions largely based on their own recorded and false confessions.

     These men are known as the Norfolk Four and 3 of them remain in prison...Norfolk police did not catch the real killer until 2 years later.

     We have explored many angles of the American Justice system her eon Active Voice Radio and tonight we will discuss the very common interrogation techniques used by almost every local police department in the country through this incredible series of events in Virginia. Joining us will be author tom Wells who recently co-authored THE WRONG GUYS: Murder False Confessions and the Norfolk Four joins us in this program.

     The Norfolk Four are case studies in how interrogation techniques used in nearly every American police department can elicit false confessions.

     In July of 1998 Daniel Williams, a former Navy Sailor in his mid twenties with an IQ in the low nineties was accused of a brutal rape and murder. Through the course of interrogation by the Norfolk Virginia Police Department Williams falsely confessed to the crime. Daniel Williams was wholly innocent but the process he underwent truly convinced him of his own guilt.

      The problem was, Daniel Williams wasn't the only one who confessed to the same murder. Norfolk Police managed to get no less than four men though falsely confess to the same crime. These men were prosecuted, convicted and sentenced...three of them to double life sentences without parole. The convictions largely based on their own recorded and false confessions.

     These men are known as the Norfolk Four and 3 of them remain in prison...Norfolk police did not catch the real killer until 2 years later.

     We have explored many angles of the American Justice system her eon Active Voice Radio and tonight we will discuss the very common interrogation techniques used by almost every local police department in the country through this incredible series of events in Virginia. Joining us will be author tom Wells who recently co-authored THE WRONG GUYS: Murder False Confessions and the Norfolk Four joins us in this program.