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This shared background enables Adrian to establish rapport with Eric, a key component in the upcoming interaction. >> So, um, you know, while we’re here, we’re just we want to talk about what happened, >> um, why it happened and anything surrounding that whole situation. But you know as well as all of us that we have to go through Miranda with you.
Um so what I’m going to do is we’re just going to go through Miranda first of all and then I’ll start getting all the other information. Okay. >> After reading Eric his rights, the detectives would spend nearly an hour [music] connecting with Eric and bonding over their shared military experience. >> He’s like, “Now you come, you’re in front.” Okay. We go back in.
We’re about to go in the building like you’re in front. She’s like, “But I thought you say you’re like, uh some people were made, you know, to do certain things and they said I’m not made to be a front person. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. But so I’m running a block then and I remember so I just was like, “Hey, whoever that off is right there running, just keep going.
Keep going cuz you’re about to run right into him.” And out of nowhere, these two guys just come out, pop out. And I’m like, “Okay, I got him.” >> And he just follow over. Yeah. And he was like, he was like, “Yeah, whoever was running, you was moving and you just ran.” And I just like he was like, “Don’t cuz I was slowing down like trying to look.
” He’s like, “No, keep going.” And I’m running like, “Okay, you’re going to tell me when.” This friendly conversation appeared to take Eric out of the tense mental [music] state. It appeared that Eric sharing his favorite moments from the military gave him a sense of importance, like he had an identity he was proud of, or at least used to be.
But that moment is short-lived as he’s quickly brought back to the reality of why he’s sitting inside a police interrogation room. >> So you you spent 3 years and you you’re still active in the Baltimore City Police Department. >> Yes, sir. has. So, from what I hear, you’re suspended. >> No, I’m suspended now.
I’m going suspend it. Yes. >> Okay. Why? Can you tell me what’s what’s going on with that? >> May 8th, I got a piece of protect against my wife. >> Okay. >> Um, >> you got one against her? >> Yeah, I got one against her. Uh, same day she took the firearms out the house. She took the safe out of the home. You know, Anon County did press charges.
Um, was it >> they press charges against her for taking >> for taking the safe with the firearms? >> Firearms. >> Yes, sir. And were they your duty firearms? >> Duty firearm. My whole full duty belt was in there. >> Okay. >> Um firearm, taser, magazine, pouches, everything was in there. She turned around and went and got a piece on me saying that I was following her.
But when she got it, that’s when pretty much they have to suspend. >> I have to get suspended. Her mom sent my mom something talking about I was following her. This like how I’m here at work. How you see I was following. I was like, there’s no way. That’s when we both ended up at the courthouse and I was and I was like cuz I was like I’m putting stop to this.
So I let the clerk know. I was like I don’t know what’s going on but every time that and my wife’s trying to leave or something something’s trying to happen secretly there’s a peace order for me to get kicked out the house and I was like that should he and that’s so they brought us both in. So we both got seen by the judge and he granted us a peace order for both of us to stay away from each other.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. >> That was just was it 2 days ago? >> Okay. Oh, was it No, Monday. >> No, yesterday. It was just yesterday. Tuesday. >> Tuesday. Tuesday. Yeah. So, y’all met with the judge? >> Tuesday. >> And you’re still suspended up until this point or >> Yeah, I’m still suspended. >> So, when maybe it’s the way Baltimore works and how slow they are and stuff.
So, you have the peace order, she gets one on you, and then it gets >> denied. >> Denied. I have to do their full. >> So, you’re still suspended even though it’s been cleared off. Gotcha. Okay. >> At this point, the detectives had no reason to assume Eric was lying. He’d been open and honest with them the entire time and seemed rather friendly.
It isn’t until they begin discussing the day of the incident that investigators realize Eric’s perceived honesty had all been a calculated act. >> So yesterday we go yesterday we go to court get the peace and protective orders. They grant the whole motion. I mean for us to stay away from each other.
My two youngest boys supposed to stay with me. The oldest he’s going to Arizona with his mother. And she’s like she tells the judge like that’s what you want to do but something. So right after that, you know, call him. I was like, “Hey, start packing your bags. You know, you’re gonna be going with your mom.” He’s like, “What? Why?” I’m like, “Your mom said you wanted this.
This you supposed to, you know, I guess I don’t know. I didn’t have that conversation previously too that me and him had literally just sat down at the table cuz I could tell that my son was like depressed and he was going through like that’s really without trip to on the first was like just to try to get him away. Me and him out.
We sat down at the table and I’m like, “What’s going on with you? How how are you feeling about this? Where are you at with this?” And he’s like, “Um, honestly, I don’t know.” He’s like, “I hate it. I don’t feel like I don’t want to feel like I’m choosing sides. Um, I just want to be left alone with everybody cuz then it’s like they’re calling me, telling me this and this, this, and that.
” And it’s like, “I got to um keep certain things from you.” He’s like, “I don’t want to keep I don’t want to be a part of this.” Um, he’s like, “I’m tired.” So, I said, “Just go start packing your bags.” And he’s like, “Okay.” We wait. I get my paperwork. I come home. And on my way home, it’s like I just felt like I was done.
like, you know what? Today’s going to be the day. I’m going to do it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um I feel like my family’s pulling apart. I’m suspended from work. Um possibly going to lose my job. >> So, it’s like situation building just keeps going keep going. It’s like vendetta. I even sent a text say I don’t know why we you feel like we have to be at war.
>> Like we shouldn’t have to be at war. It’s like if you are [music] here lying to these guys like guess what? Like what are you trying to move in with them? you know, tell them that you’re living in hotels when you’re not. You’re staying with your mom. Like, what are you doing? So, at this point, it’s like, you know what? I’m just tired.
>> Yeah. You’re tired of it. It’s it’s it’s a way out to get peace. I get Yeah. A lot of people go through that, man. >> Yeah. And it was just was like nothing. I felt like everything was just coming to. And I feel like that now, like, honestly, um everything was coming to me.
I was like, you know what? I’m just going to do it. It is what it is. Um >> So, when you got home yesterday >> Mhm. >> Um was there anyone in the house? >> Yes, it was. Um the song was in the house. >> Okay. >> Evan was in the house and Tristan was in the house. So, you go in there and you’re doing all this stuff, right? >> I go in there and I go Yeah.
I go in there. Um I see him upstairs like he got his bags packed like to go take your stuff downstairs when your mom’s come and she called him. He’s like, “Mom’s calling.” He was like, “What did I say to her?” I like, you know, tell her what you know, just talk to like she called whatever.
And he answers the phone and they have a conversation. That’s what I’m like, “Okay, what she say?” She said, he’s like, she said she’s going to be in the area. Just bring my stuff downstairs. I said, “Okay, cool.” I say, “So, the police should be coming and when he come, everything goes smoothly.” >> This is the moment where Eric’s act begins.
Notice how he begins looking blankly into the ceiling as he recounts critical moments. For the last hour, Eric hardly looked up to the ceiling once. >> I go downstairs and I’m in the kitchen. I just made [music] a big bowl of uh cool. Was it Gatorade? Not big bowl, but big picture of Gatorade. It’s blue. It’s probably I believe it’s still on the counter.
But, like I said, you say you never went to Um the bag of crushed up pills that I had was right there. The son came downstairs. He he asked me something. He was like um what did he [music] say? He came downstairs. He came downstairs. He asked me something and I can’t remember exact. He was like asked me uh was it about I I think it was leave or something like that. I said just wait.
Just we’re not going to like cuz he was like I don’t want to go. He was just telling me that he didn’t want to go and [ __ ] like that. I said, “Look, just wait. We’re not going to talk about [ __ ] cuz like I’m going to take your brothers to your mom’s house.” And I was coming back. I said, “If your mom gets here with the police before I get back, unfortunately, you got to go with her.
That’s just the way it is.” He’s upstairs. I remember Trist. I told Tristan and said, “Tristan, go get your shoes.” Tristan said, “Okay.” So Tristan goes, he goes upstairs. He gets his shoes. [music] He comes, he’s like, “Daddy, what’s wrong with um DJ?” I’m like, “Huh?” So I go upstairs and DJ’s in the he’s in the bathroom.
He’s in the bathroom and he’s in the tub. That’s when I seen him. I was like, “What the fuck?” That’s why I pulled him out the tub. As I’m pulling him out the tub, I laid him flat on his back on the floor. >> Mhm. And was it uh at that time? I’m not sure. I think it was E or Tristan. He was like, “Daddy, somebody at the door.” And I’m just looking at my feet.
I’m like, “What the [ __ ] is this? I’m like, what the [ __ ] >> Eric [music] makes his story clear. He had planned to end his life, but coincidentally, Jason had the same plan and did it first. It’s an extremely complex alibi and only becomes more unlikely after Eric explains why Jason’s body ended up hidden inside his bedroom.
>> So, I go downstairs, I go to the front door, the officer said, >> “Okay.” >> And I panic. I was like, “I don’t know what the [ __ ] to say.” So he asked me, he was like, “Hey, um, what’s going on?” I start talking to him, telling him what’s going on. He was it, what did he say? He said, “So what’s the situation?” And I tell him about the situation.
I was like, “Um, you know, my wife, she’s supposedly waiting on y’all to come. You know, y’all supposedly serving her with a piece of protective order and what not.” He was like, “She, yeah, she supposed, yeah, she was picking up Elsa.” And he was like, “Uh, is she here?” And at the time he was still, [music] he was upstairs in the floor.
>> Okay. >> In the bathroom. When he said, “Was she here?” My mind I was like, “No.” >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> You panicked. [music] >> Yeah. Um cuz it already looked bad. I already moved them. And I was like, “Well, >> you got him out of the bath.” >> Yeah. Um was it? And then [music] when was it? Uh when I got out of the bathtub, I asked the officer, “No, body one came on. You could see.
” I asked him like, “Can I go in the house, you know, use the bathroom real quick?” I remember asking that. He was like He’s like, “No, no, just wait. Just wait. Just wait.” Okay. And then the other officer show up and then when he show up he’s asking he’s like so um is the son here still the same thing.
I probably I should have said yes you know. >> Yeah I knew perfect world >> I knew my state of mind my state of mind was killer. >> Okay. Now let me ask you this. Is that why um cuz I did watch some of the footage when they went to loosen your handcuffs. You kind of got a little silly on them. Do you remember that? >> Yeah. >> What was your I mean you went for the officer’s gun.
What was up with that? I mean, >> well, when I first before we get to that, when I first went back in the house, when the officer told me, the tall officer, he told me, um, he said, “Go get the son’s phone.” >> Mhm. >> I ran upstairs. His phone was in the in the bathroom on the counter. >> Okay. >> So, I run upstairs and I get the phone cuz wait back up.
Before I did that, I asked him, I said, “Can I go upstairs? Can I use can I go in and use the bathroom?” So, I initially wanted to shut the door. He said, he said, “No, no, just wait.” And then the other officer was like, “Well, go I need you to go grab the s phone.” I ran up, grab it, and I’m still and I shut the bathroom door. I’m still nervous.
>> Which bathroom was it? Was it the one in the master or the small one? >> No, the small one. The small one in the hallway. And I’m still shaking, whatever. Um, and then when I come back downstairs, I go is it I go out the door, I give him the phone, I’m still shaking in my head like and everything’s in my head saying like, “All right, just just say what you saw.
” But then in my other part of me was like, “My son just did this, right? Objectively, Eric’s story hits all the points. He has an excuse for almost every suspicious detail, even finding a way to explain why blood was found all over his house. The issue is that these details are simply too coincidental to ever sound believable.
And even knows this. >> I don’t know why I just was like, I got to move them. I did the picked him up, did the fireman curry, took him out of the bathroom into the master bedroom, up the stairs, and I was [music] like, cuz I know they’re going to want to come back in the house and search it. I was like, I’m going to be cool.
I’m fine with that. I’m I was going to let them search it. And I talked them in. [music] Excuse me. I talked them in the uh the area and I left the thing open. >> So, when you say the area, you talking like a crawl space. >> Crawl space. Okay. All right. [music] >> But getting back to when they came in to search the house, they went upstairs and he seen the thing open.
That’s when the officer when he asked I panic and I was like [music] yeah this is where I keep my safe blah blah blah whatever but the song was in there was in there >> and um [music] they put the handcuffs on me I went back downstairs when they went downstairs I was like life is over because it looks different is [music] no matter what I say from this point it looks like I’m a liar like I lied because I already lied twice.
You asked me the saw in the house I said no. You asked me did I know where he went. I said, “No, I think he he ran out the back door or something.” And you know, so it always looked bad because I’m already done told you a lie. Even though in my head it’s like, “You probably should just said the truth. We probably You should have left him where he was at.
[music] >> Call the police or fire or whatever.” >> Yeah. Call the police. >> Times we >> But I was already in I was I mean it I wasn’t in I was already in the mindset of Eric’s going to die today. >> Okay. >> The detectives decide to take a break and discuss what their next plans would be.
At this point, they both know Eric is lying to their faces. So, the goal for the rest of the interrogation will be to get Eric to admit to his lies and ultimately confess to the murder. To do this, they decide on Detective Adrien conducting the rest of the interrogation alone. Since one-on-one confrontation is generally considered to be more effective, Adrien would return with a clearly [music] different demeanor from earlier.
He’s stern and wastes no time in asserting that [music] his nice cop act is over. >> Are you good? Did you need anything before we get started again? >> No. I’m good. >> Are you sure? >> All right. So, Detect uh Detective Demetra had to step aside just for a second. >> Um but what I wanted to do, like I told you, I wanted to come back and go back over some things with you.
I actually wanted I want to go back and in detail just go through [music] some of these steps. Um >> Eric would recount his story exactly the same as before, claiming he simply found Jason dead and had nothing to do with it. And it seemed as though Detective Adrien had nothing concrete to combat Eric’s lies.
That was until he brought out Jason’s autopsy report. [music] >> I’mma tell you this. I know that you spent 10 years in the military. >> Mhm. [clears throat] >> And you you were in the Marines, weren’t you? >> Yes. >> What’s their whole thing in the Marines? Like [music] what do they always teach? >> Honor, integrity. >> Honor correction.
>> Yeah. And to be honest with you, I don’t see that from you right now based on what you’re telling me. >> I think you telling me something different, >> but I know you’re a Marine. >> Okay. >> I know a lot of people that’s Marines, man. >> And and that’s one thing that they would like integrity, honor.
No, you don’t mess with that if you’re a Marine. >> Yes. >> I know you want to tell me the truth. And and you sitting here like giving me a story. You giving me you giving me what I want to hear just to sound good, but it’s not it. That’s not it. Trust me, I’m not trying to sound good to you. >> And and I’m going to tell you I’m going to tell you the other thing.
>> And I’m going to be straight up with you. >> Yeah. >> You keep talking about the autopsy. [music] The autopsy said he was strangled. >> Hell no. Hell no. >> The autopsy said he was strangled. >> Hell no. Hell to the No. No. No. Hell to know DJ was no strangle. Hell to the know. I’m going just let it sink in and and let you decide what you going to explain that to his. No, DJ wasn’t strangled.
Well, then what happened? >> Tell me what happened. >> There’s no No, DJ was not strangled. DJ, like I told you, DJ went downstairs. He came back upstairs and DJ was he was in that tub. Like I said, when I came in that room, he was in the tub. When I when I grabbed him out, I grabbed him like this, [ __ ] And I pretty much put him in the fire curry.
when they left, I could drag them up to my room. If if that’s the case, I would have left them in there and I would have said or had them come in there to be like, “But DJ wasn’t no strangle.” There was no way. No, there was no way he was DJ wasn’t no strangle. Mm- That’s your boy. You had pride in him. >> Yeah, but you had pride in him.
You were trying to help him out with his grades. You were getting him in STEM classes and then this happened. But you saying DJ was strangled? No. Well, then tell me what happened. [music] This didn’t happen. I’m going to tell you that right now. This didn’t happen. You said he wasn’t. So, no. No. I’m not saying that.
[music] I’m not saying that. I believe that part. But I believe something else happened. >> Note Eric’s lack of emotion when hearing this information. No tears are shed, but rather an array of defensive rage. This, alongside the other countless red flags Eric is portraying, is a telltale sign for detectives that a suspect is lying.
You need to tell me the whole story. Like I said, DJ when I when we came when I came in there, DJ was DJ was literally in that tub. There was no way I’m going to sit there and strangle DJ. Not long Tristan. Why would I? I don’t even have no ammo going to strangle this boy. I have no nothing against him to want to strangle him. Nothing.
>> Okay. >> No anger in my heart. Nothing. Cuz then, like I said, if I was going to do that, why would I leave my other two boys? If I was going to do that, I would have took all of us out. DJ was not no strangle. >> So then what happened? >> Tell me the story. >> Start. We started from scratch. Tell me the story. DJ was not no strangle.
>> Well, then tell me what happened. You’re not telling me the truth. Tell me what happened. >> I’m right here standing right now. I’m giving you a chance right now. Tell me. >> You tell you asked me to tell you that I strangled myself. >> No, I didn’t. >> Eric understands the legal system well. well enough to avoid offering a direct confession when confronted.
From investigator’s perspective, he knows that admitting involvement is the worst thing he can possibly do. Well, besides not asking for an attorney. Regardless, it’s going to take more than just a heated confrontation to make Eric crack. So, Detective Adrien resorts to a completely different approach. Empathy. >> I’m going to tell you right now, the the the way this is going to be something you going to have to live with for the rest of your life. Yes, sir.
>> This is something you are going to have to think about every night before you close your eyes. And when you close your eyes, you’re going to think about what you did to him. That’s what you going to think about. >> You’re going to think about what you did to him and and it’s going to haunt you for the [music] rest of your life.
Or what you can do is you can talk to me. You can tell you can tell you can tell me what really happened and at least that little will be off your chest. I see you’re I’m telling you right now there’s no like [music] you’re telling me to say I strangled my son. I did not strangle my son. That’s what you’re asking.
I understand you’re trying to line with me and you know and show the compassion trying to like but there’s no [music] >> there’s no there’s no me and strangling DJ at all. >> Okay. So let’s take strangle out. >> There’s no me strangling DJ. >> We taking Strangle out of the equation now. >> Okay. [music] >> What happened? >> I told you what happened.
>> We taking Strangle out. What happened? He was upstairs in that tub. DJ was literally in that tub. >> You didn’t put him there? >> I did not put him there. No. DJ was physically in that tub already. When I came to that bathroom, DJ was in there. >> Did you assist him [music] at all with anything? >> No, I didn’t assist him at all.
But nothing. Nothing. I did not assist him getting in that bathroom. Didn’t I assist him going in that bathroom? He was upstairs already. Like I said, when I when he went downstairs, he was downstairs for a good period of time. He was upstairs in the name. I was down. Tristan was down. Tristan was trying to go what was his name with his shoe? I was I told him and that’s when Tristan say out of his mouth, “Daddy, what’s wrong with DJ?” Tristan literally said that out of his mouth and I went up there to check on him. I didn’t see I
don’t recall seeing him. I don’t recall removing no belt. I don’t recall removing anything that could have been around his neck. >> I don’t recall moving. So, so here’s the thing. And and I hate to frustrate you and I hate to but I also have a job to do and I also I also have to get down to the bottom of this.
>> And when I walk through the door >> Mhm. >> and when I hear everything that happened, things don’t add up. Things don’t make sense. [music] >> Okay. >> They don’t make sense at all. If you would have done things different, if you would have been like, “Yes, my son, I just found my son in a tub.
I helped him out and told officer, you know this.” >> Mhm. >> If you would have done it that way, it would have been different. But the fact that you didn’t now you’re sitting here trying to explain yourself. >> Well, I’m sitting here cuz the whole situation I’m sitting here because I lied and said he wasn’t in the house.
I’m sitting here because I didn’t tell the officer like you say straight forward what was going on. >> That’s two lies right there. How how like you said earlier, how are we supposed to believe it now? >> Yeah. And like I said, >> so you tell you telling me how am I supposed to strangle? How how did I not assist him [music] in getting in the tub and I don’t know, possibly drowning him? I don’t know.
No, >> I don’t know. [music] But all >> even if I No, but here’s the thing. All I know is that you keep lying. >> No, bro. >> You lied additionally twice. How do I know you’re not lying right now? >> Because like I told you straight forward. I say I mean straight forward, >> bro.
Because that’s why I said in the beginning, I said straightforward. I There’s nothing I can say. I say I already know y’all done your homework. Lay it all out on the table. I said because there’s nothing I can say that’s because I already lied to twice. I said he wasn’t at home. I identify that. I messed that up because I see my son is dead.
>> Okay. All right. Do you um I’m I’m going to leave you alone for a little bit um to think about things. But do you want anything else to drink or anything to eat? >> Um I’m good with the water and the chips. >> Okay. Give me just a second. >> All right. >> You need anything else? >> Um no, sir. >> All right.
As the detective leaves, Eric scans the room thoroughly and finally notices the camera hidden inside room 2B. Moments after making eye contact with the camera, he lets out one last desperate act. [music] Oh no. >> Unfortunately, it’d be too late to act his way out of the murder. Eric’s testimony was flimsy at best, and Detective Adrian decided he’d gotten enough to wrap the nearly 5-hour interview up.
Shortly thereafter, Eric was booked into the an Arendelle County Detention Center under charges of first-degree murder, seconddegree murder, and child resulting in death. [music] At trial, Eric would quickly accept a plea deal to seconddegree murder, as well as attempting to disarm a police officer. And on October 4th, 2022, he was sentenced to 42 years in prison.
If Eric serves his full sentence, he’ll be released in 2064.