A father sits in an interrogation room. His infant daughter is dead. He says she stopped breathing. The medical examiner says she was shaken. The father denies everything. His voice is calm. His story is consistent. He has an answer for every question. The detective does not argue. He simply presents the evidence. Piece by piece. Until the father has nowhere left to hide.

In this JCS-inspired psychological breakdown, I analyze the interrogation of Thomas Lienau, a father accused of shaking his infant daughter to death. The case drew national attention as prosecutors sought the death penalty, which was taken off the table in February 2013 as part of a plea agreement . The interrogation is a masterclass in the Reid technique. The detective builds rapport. He offers sympathy. He presents evidence slowly, one piece at a time, allowing the suspect to fill in the gaps with his own lies.

Lienau eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, accepting a 30-year sentence . The interrogation footage shows the moment his confidence crumbled. His voice broke. His eyes watered. He had maintained his innocence for hours. Then the detective mentioned a detail that had never been released to the public. Lienau's face went pale. He asked for a glass of water. The confession was coming.

Turn down the lights, put on your headphones, and press play because the interrogation of Thomas Lienau is a textbook example of how to break a killer without raising your voice.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/red-tree-crime--6847553/support.