Scientists have identified 50
individuals who are able to spot deception with great accuracy after testing
more than 15,000 people. Eyes for Lies is one of the 50 people.
More
Eyes has a 97.3%
accuracy rate (to date) after identifying truth and deception in 37/38 people
before the truth was known by watching media clips.
Eyes for Lies is not psychic.
My dogs were acting strange today. One of them, actually, was having trouble standing upright, and couldn't walk this morning. She acted drunk. At first I thought she might be going into liver failure (as she has hepatitis and is 16 years old), but when I added up the pieces and her symptoms, it didn't add up. Both dogs slept in super late, but I wrote it off on the fact it was a gloomy, dark day outside--even though it was exceptionally unusual for them to do this. They usually ask for breakfast, and one demands it, but not today.
Read moreAs I sat comforting my woozy dog, petting her and crying, I got this nagging feeling about our furnace, which I've had for weeks. Just last week, I asked my husband to test it, but he ignored me.
When I realized it could be carbon monoxide (though our two wall detectors didn't go off), I turned off the heat, opened all the windows, and got a new hand-held tester we bought last year after we found out we had three dangerous gas leaks. Sure enough, when I put over the heat register, it alerted to a leak. I smelled no gas, so the likely culprit was carbon monoxide.
I put my doggies on the porch and called a gas guy. Sure enough, we had a leak. Our heat exchanger is cracked and from my reading, that is serious business. So tonight we sit in a cold house, trying to decide which furnace to buy tomorrow.
And my dog, who was most affected, popped back out of it after a half hour on the front porch. She started walking normally and asked for a walk within no time. I was wondering why she was weak and didn't want to walk this week. Now I know why. Tonight she is her old self again.
I am so grateful that I figure this one out before my dogs succumbed to this deadly gas. We've been having headaches, and have been extra tired. Both dogs seemed to slow down a lot in the past two to three weeks. I wondered if it was old age at times. I should have listened to my gut instinct a week ago and demanded my husband spend 10 minutes to do a simple test, or I should have done it myself. I didn't think I could operate that little beast of a thing, but I learned today.
Tonight, I am grateful for the simple blessings, the love of my dogs and my husband, even if we don't have heat. We are safe.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Update 4:30 PM: Thanks for all the thoughts. My cousin has come out of surgery, and the news looks encouraging :)
__________
My cousin was just diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago, and she has just gone into surgery in the past half hour. It would really be comforting for me and my family to know that there are people out there sending her positive thoughts and wishes to her for a good outcome and a speedy recovery. She won't know the extent of her illness until after surgery and after the pathology is returned next week. I'm on pins and needles.
She will be in surgery for four hours. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. If you want to leave a message for Carol, you can do so here, and when she feels up to it, I will share it with her.
Eyes
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
ABC's Chris Cuomo interviewed Thomas Morphey a few weeks back, and many of you have asked for my opinion. Thomas Morphey is Drew Peterson's stepbrother.
Is Morphey being honest with us? You can watch him speak here.
When I watch Morphey speak, I see a man who is casual and relaxed. He is not uptight, stressed or worried, which matches his demeanor when I look at his face. I suspect, by looking at Morphey, that he is an easy-going guy in real life and isn't demanding, nor is he highly driven. He is likely very accepting of people, and it would not surprise me that Peterson knew this, picked up on it and knew that Morphey was the perfect candidate to assist him, because he was easily malleable.
Read moreIn the interview, we learn that Morphey was diagnosed with bi-polar several years ago, and that he suffered from abuse and addiction issues. Furthermore, we find out that Morphey was drinking the night he talks about meeting up with Drew Peterson, but according to Cuomo, he still remembers that night. And we all know that Morphey ended up trying to commit suicide after he helped Peterson move a blue barrel.
With that, it is not surprising that Cuomo talks about how Morphey has not been called to testify in front of a grand jury. There is no doubt that Morphey has credibility issues which Morphey, himself admits to. However, when I watch Morphey speak, I believe he is being honest with us about what transpired between himself and Peterson.
Morphey says a few odd things, but they don't alert me that he is lying. He says that when Peterson asked him how much he (Morphey) loved Peterson, Morphy didn't say how much, he just said "I do." He doesn't answer the question. That could be because he doesn't want to admit exactly what he said on TV for fear he'll be ridiculed, or maybe it was just a slip of the tongue, since he is on camera. Either way, while it is odd, it doesn't mean terribly much to me.
Cuomo also tells us that Morphey said he was afraid of Peterson, yet in another sentence, Morphey said that he trusted Peterson. We typically don't trust people we are afraid of, yet when I look closely at the second statement Morphy said about trusting Peterson, he says it off the top of his tongue, without giving it much thought. Often times when we are put on the spot, like Morphey was here, we say things, that if we had given it thought, we wouldn't have said, so I don't put too much into this, either.
What would be Morphey's motivation to lie at this point? I think that is key.
Morphey doesn't hit me as a vengeful person, first and foremost, so I feel confident discounting that. Second, I don't think it would gain Morphey anything to come out publicly, and accuse Peterson, when at the same time, he is admitting to all of his own issues. Going public with all of Morphey's issues won't help him any, that's for sure.
Morphey, in my opinion, is actually being quite brave to go on television, to admit to all of his credibility issues and furthermore to admit that he thinks he helped Peterson move a dead body. You have to admire the guy at this point for being so frank. Just sadly, I don't think Morphey will be called as witness in Peterson's trial, should it ever make it that far.
NOTE: Regarding the other story suggestions, the video link that was supplied for the Crystal Sheffield request is not the right video. Also the other link is unavailable now for days. For me to do that story, I need updated video links. Just post them in the comment section. Thanks!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
It's the coolest thing ever! As someone who loves to read faces, there is nothing better. For those of you who don't know what it is, it is a free video conferencing software that allows you to video conference with people around the world at no charge (If you don't have a webcam, you can also make free audio calls).
Now my mom and I chat daily via Skype rather than on the phone, and I got my aunt and uncle in Colorado, and my cousin in California online as well. With a push of button, suddenly your friend and family can appear on your computer screen, full-size, right before you. It's like you're living the life of George Jetson.
Read moreI chatted with my friend, Jim, in Japan who is battling cancer, and it was like transcending time and space. When we connected up, I felt like I was sitting in his hospital room six thousand miles away. I watched the Japanese nurses come in and tend to his IV, and bring him lunch. He showed me his food. He had sardine tempura, rice, eggs, soup, and some bean cake. It was bizarre.
When I watch my mom drink her morning cup of coffee, I want to reach into the screen and say can you fill me up? And when either my mom or I lean back, we laugh, the other one has a natural tendency to increase their voice projection, as if there actual distance between us.
If you haven't tried it, I can't recommend it enough, and it's free to download the software, and free to call anyone else who is using Skype in the world! It doesn't get better than that.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I don't think it is any surprise, I'm a people watcher. I love to watch people, and with that, I've learned a few things over the years that I thought I would share with you!
Read moreHave you ever considered that arrogant people tend to be deceptive more than the average person? That is not to say that all arrogant people lie, or all liars are arrogant. It is just one trait that instantly puts me on notice. Another trait that makes me cautious is a lack of compassion. People who are unable to feel for other people are more prone to lying. Without compassion, one has more potential to do harm. Paying close attention to this could save you from becoming another victim of deceit, or worse.
Arrogant people are pretentious and seem to have a superiority complex about them. I believe arrogance actually comes from feelings of insecurity. Arrogant people, deep down inside, don't feel worthy, so they feign confidence, resulting in arrogance. Therefore, lying in these circumstances is not a far-fetched concept.
Look at Alex Rodriguez. When he confessed to using steroids a few weeks back, the arrogant and staunch man we saw in 2007 was suddenly gone. Now before us was a much more humbled man. The change is notable (though I would not call Rodriguez humble by any means).
Look at Nadya Suleman with her 14 children. She shows a total disregard for her entire family. Not only did she show no compassion for her children and their needs, she has put all her responsibilities on her aging mother. Worse, without any way to care for or support her children, she decided to have more. This shows a complete disregard and lack of compassion for anyone. With that, we know Suleman has a much higher propensity to be deceptive, or worse. As a general rule, Suleman is not someone I would trust.
On the flip side, however, confident people are self-assured. They know their strengths are solid and they have no need to over-inflate anything. Their confidence comes deep from within. Add to confidence, a sense of humility, and you have the opposite of arrogance. You have the traits of someone who is most likely going to be very trustworthy and moreover, compassionate. Think about Captain "Sully", from U.S. Airways flight 1549. He is confident, self-assured, and exceptionally humble. He also demonstrated amazing compassion. Captain Sully, even before his heroic landing, is someone who I would have implicitly trusted.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
There is breaking news in the case of Kari and Matt Baker. Matt has been indicated on murder charges by a grand jury involving the death of his wife, Kari, who was found in the couple's home back in April 2006. Matt Baker, at the time, claimed it was a suicide, but Kari Baker's family didn't buy it.
You can read all of my posts on this case by clicking here. Posts are published from newest to oldest.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
The other night, my husband and I went out to dinner at my favorite sushi restaurant. We walked in the front door, and we were the only two guests in the entrance. There was a man behind the desk who looked up at us as we walked in. He was tall, slightly stocky, had sandy blond hair, and boyish features. I suspect he was in his mid-twenties.
Read moreWhen this man's eyes met mine, I noticed he was startled. I thought it was odd. It's rare to see someone startled when you walk into a restaurant. Then he grabbed some paperwork on the counter and shuffled it, but he didn't look at it. He just took the papers and moved them from one hand to the other as he watched us approach.
Without a conscious thought, my brain kicked in and said to me, "He must be new!" before I could even rationalize all that just occurred in the seconds it took me to walk the 10 feet to the counter.
"Good evening," he said. "How are you tonight?" He grabbed two menus and brought us to our seats. Once we were comfortable, he came back and introduced himself.
"Hi. I'm John. I'll be your server today. Would you like the à la carte menu today?"
"Yes, actually we would. Thanks!" I replied back as he handed them to us.
He laughed. "You're going to put me to the test today, aren't you?" He cracked a slight smile.
For those of you who don't eat sushi, eating à la carte is more complex and involved. You have to know the different fish, rolls and wraps, etc. Many people even order them by their Japanese name.
I couldn't help but jump in. I said, "We are going to put you to the test, but don't worry, we don't bite. I promise. Are you new here?"
To no surprise of mine, he said, "Yes, this is my second day."
We placed the order for our appetizers.
When the waiter left, I was dying to say to my husband, "I knew it!! I knew it!!! I knew he was new! It was written all over his face. Did you see it?? Did you see it??"
My husband, who thankfully allows me all the space to share everything I see, laughed and said, "No. I missed it. Sorry." You could tell I was blind-siding him with this information out of nowhere!
It was a fascinating experience for me to pick up on such small nuances. I am becoming more consciously aware of how I process things subconsciously and instantaneously.
This man showed two emotions. His face expressed fear as we walked in. He was startled. I have no idea, if he showed it as a macro or micro expression, but he clearly expressed surprise. However, I am not sure how I registered the fear.
Did he express it on his face alone, or did I pick up on his body language (paper shuffling), or was it a combination of both? I have no idea because it all happened so fast that it became a blur once I started to put the pieces together. But it just amazes me how my brain connected those two emotions and knew instantly it meant that he had to be new. If I was asked to do that consciously, I think it would have taken me several minutes to come to that conclusion.
My subconscious brain comes to conclusions long before my conscious brain has even had time to analyze things. I've learned, however, if I can slow down what just happened, seconds after it happens, and go through it step-by-step, I can often learn from it. I can connect some of the dots consciously that I subconsciously put together without being aware of it. Does that make sense?
On a happy ending, the man was an excellent waiter. He has a bright future, if he keeps this as a career choice. He was top-notch, his timing was excellent and his service superb. I hope I calmed his nerves, because when we left, I told the owner right in front of him that his new employee was outstanding!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
It may take a little time to get used to, but I think it is helpful for a variety of reasons. Once a person makes a suggestion, we can all see very quickly how important the topic is by the votes, so this way, I will write about the hottest topics first. I don't have to pick and choose anymore. It also gives me a central location to keep all the suggestions in one place. And furthermore, it also saves me time because I don't get five emails from people suggesting I cover the same topic.
I do plan on creating a Topic Suggestion Guideline page so I set expectations about what I will and will not cover. I think that would be helpful.
Don't forget when you are over there to click on all the tabs. If I decline to review something, I will say why in the comment section! I will always comment about why I move things off of the "hot" list.
I hope you'll share your thoughts about this tool. Your input and thoughts are important to me.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Rhode had initially been given a 10-year probated sentenced, but because she had appealed her murder conviction she had not been formally sentenced. She withdrew her appeal earlier this month.
Thanks, Anonymous.
Have a story idea? Suggest it here. Or, click on the "Feedback" tab on the far right of the screen to see or suggest a hot topic at anytime.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I am trying to find a good place and method for you guys to share story ideas with me. I'd like to have a page setup where you all can go, suggest stories, post links and then rate which topics suggested by others are the most interesting to you.
Last week, I had a volunteer, Shina Hart, offer to help me with this, and she discovered UserVoice. It looks like the perfect tool, though I am not sure it will work at the level we need it to work in the "free version". To upgrade, it is quite pricey at $19/month, so if this doesn't work, we may have to investigate other avenues.
But let's give it a try! See what you think, share your topic suggestions, and vote now. I added the first topic suggestion as a test. I suggested Nayda Suleman. I think each topic can only get 10 votes, which might be too limiting, but let's experiment with it because it is free.
I will post a link to UserVoice on my contact page, so in the future, if you want to find it, you will know where to go.
Let me know your thoughts! Many thanks to Shina, who continues to look for and explore other options for us!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Last night's episode was a re-run which ran early last May, but for those of you who hadn't seen it, here are my thoughts about Traci Rhode.
On another note, everyone must be out enjoying the spring weather. The traffic here, come Friday night, just halted. I presume it will pick up tomorrow, again. This is common for the summer months!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Tonight 48 Hours Mystery is airing "Point Blank". It's the story of what happened to Scott Rhode. Was Traci, his wife, home when he committed suicide, or was there something more sinister going on?
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I thought the poll results for the Haleigh Cummings case are fascinating. People are being asked who they think is responsible for Haleigh Cummings' disappearance (they can choose more than one answer). Click on the image to see the most current results in detail.
REQUEST FOR HELP: Is there anyone out there who is good with HTML and who could help me create a page where people can post topic suggestions and then other readers could vote on their interest for each topic submitted? I'd like something stand-alone that doesn't require much time to maintain, and is self-sufficient for users to post topic suggestions and vote. If you can help me, please e-mail me. I can host it on my website (as long as we can keep it manageable in size). I know basic HTML, but I don't know how to create this. Thanks in advance!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
CBS 60 Minutes did a powerful story about two weeks ago now about eyewitness testimony. It is worth watching, if you can spare the time.
There have been 233 people exonerated by DNA in this country, and now a stunning pattern has emerged: more than three quarters of them were sent to prison at least in part because an eyewitness pointed a finger - an eyewitness we now know was wrong.
I am a firm believer, from my understanding of human behavior, that memory should be instantaneous. If it takes you time to recall something, there is a high likelihood that your memory is not clear and may have become tainted.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Here is an article that you might enjoy. Don't forget to read page two!
I think O'Sullivan makes a fabulous point:
"It's not merely seeing the behavior and recognizing it but in interpreting the situation"
In other words, while you're scanning your date for the usual emotions someone might associate with lying -- microexpressions of guilt or fear -- you might be missing something bigger.
Your date might not feel guilty at all about lying to get you into bed. In fact, he might be concealing pride or cockiness at his ability to deceive you."
I think her point is so important, because just seeing and identifying expressions and emotions isn't enough to accurately understand a situation. So many people show emotional biases that skew their ability when they attempt to understand others, or they use their own past experiences to judge other people's actions, which will not yield accurate results when reading others.
Read moreIt is critically important to be unbiased when you are trying to understand the actions of another, not jump to quick conclusions, and to explore every potential outcomepossible that could explain a situation before formulating an opinion. Of course, doing this is much easier said then done.
How do you teach people to remove emotional and experiential biases? Biases and judgments cloud one's ability to see the truth.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
What is so fascinating about this video is that Ronald Cummings isn't on the defensive like he usually is (see video here). He is fine with everyone tightening the reins on Misty, and ironically, that doesn't seem to bother him at all. His posture is relaxed, and his hands are splayed in front of him in a calm manner.
Read moreBut what is even more interesting is that you would expect Cummings of all people, here to be the most perplexed, mad and concerned about Misty's inconsistencies, if he is innocent and uninvolved, but he isn't! Cummings, like everyone else, should want to know whythere are inconsistencies. He should be all over them like a wet blanket, so he can get to the truth, but he isn't. Instead, he marries Misty and acts like it isn't his concern or worry that she is inconsistent. This behavior does not support honesty. Is that because he already knows the answers?
Throughout the interview, Cummings is feeling positive emotions. He almost has a "glow" about him. I can't quite put my fingers on it, but it is palpable. He is on the edge, at times, of breaking into a smile. He clearly tries several times to hold it back. I captured this image below when he said "no" at one point.
Try saying "no" when you are serious. Your lips don't curl up like this (see above). He is saying no and smiling very faintly at the same time. To move your lips upward like this when you feel serious and say no is very awkward to do, unless you are feeling a positive emotion.
Nancy Grace starts out by asking Cummings what Misty originally told him regarding their sleeping arrangements that night with respect to Haleigh. Notice how Ronald does what is considered a "false start"? Cummings starts talking, then stops and changes his direction.
Cummings says, "She told me that she was sleeping in the beh..., um, her and junior were sleeping in my queen size bed and that she was sleeping in the tot bed beside her..."This is quite telling. I suspect he was going to said "bed" above, but stopped mid-sentence.
Was he going to say that she was sleeping in the bed with Junior and Haleigh? When Cummings says the words"beside her," he makes an expression of doubt with his lips and squints his eyes. He pulls his lips up on one side, like when some people say, "I don't know." He continues with more expressions of doubt when he says, "...three or four feet beside her, or whatever." He squints his eyes like he is trying to recollect this, and his lips move to the opposite side this time, which is unusual for this type of memory, which should be concrete because he has talked about it so many times, if he is telling the truth.
Grace asked how everything got so mis-communicated about where Haleigh slept, and when Cummings replies, the very first few words he says, he has the slightest smirk on his face, "Ms. Nancy, I have no, no answer for you. I don't know how it was mis-communicated."
Grace goes on to ask if Misty told the police that Haleigh was in a separate bed, to which Cummings replies, "I wasn't there when she was questioned by police, Ms. Nancy." At the end of that comment, you can clearly see a grin on his face. It's subtle but definitely there.
Grace than asks why Misty didn't call the police immediately when she realized Haleigh was missing. Notice Cummings doesn'tanswer the question, and Grace never calls him on it! Instead, he just goes into what I could call a rote speech about the events of that night. He repeats what he has repeated a thousand times. Also, notice how Cummings' voice inflection changes? All the inflection in his voice disappears, and he talks as if he is drone, just recollecting data. He has no emotions whatsoever.
Why doesn't Cummings feel any emotions about that devastating night? He should feel tremendous pain and anguish when thinking about the realization that his daughter is missing, or at least feeling fear, or worry he experienced that night, but he doesn't. It's a huge red flag. He also gets nervous, and starts wiggling in his leg again. Why is he nervous when he talks about this? Notice he feels nervousness, but he does not feel any emotions when it comes to his daughter? That's a huge red flag.
Do you also notice how Cummings said he turned the house upside down, and then told Misty to call 911? Why didn't he ever look outside? Isn't that odd? Misty said the front door was propped wide open. Why wouldn't he start canvassing the neighborhood while Misty called police? It's just another inconsistency in his story.
Clearly, what we should be seeing in Cummings, such as serious questions for Misty, if he is truly uninvolved in Haleigh's disappearance, are not present, and worse, he is showing signs of positive emotions, which absolutely make no sense whatsoever.
To read more of my opinions of this case, click on the labels below. To read my original opinion, you'll need to scroll to the bottom of the page.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Many of you have asked me to review Ronald Cummings on the Nancy Grace show last night. Please bear with me. My mind is distracted today because my cousin is going through a very challenging time. I hope you'll be patient with me.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Naturally, you can guess, when people know I am a lie detector, one thing they do is try to fake me out with a lie, jokingly, to see if I will catch it, and my husband is no exception.
Yesterday, I was out and about with a friend, and when I came home, I asked my hubby if he sat outside and relaxed. Before I left, I told him it would do him wonders if he did, so I was hoping, when I came back, that he did just that. He needed some fresh air (after painting my office, of course!).
Read moreHe was standing over a huge, delicious pan of lasagna when I asked him, "Did you take some time to relax today?" He was looking down, trying to cut a piece and serve it.
He said very seriously, "No, I didn't."
His face was as still as a piece of wall art. I was in the dark for a second. Then he said "No, I didn't" again, and in an instant, something caused the lower portion of the center of his left eyebrow to twitch in a flash.
"Ah!," I said as I grabbed my plate of lasagna from him. "You did sit out. I am so glad to know that. Do you know your eyebrow just twitched and gave you away?"
My husband look up at me, grinned and looked left and then right and said, "It did?"
I smiled and sat down at the table to share Sunday dinner. "That was amazing," I said. "I don't think I've ever seen that one before."
Unless my husband happened to get an involuntary body twitch at the exact precise moment of his lie, there was no other explanation for him to show a sign of tension like that. I think he was working so hard to prevent himself from making any smirks or smiles that his face was so tense, it hiccuped.
So, while I couldn't be 100% certain it was a lie by his twitch only, the odds were quite high that it was, and when I told him it was and he smiled, I knew for sure that I had called it right on the money.
The odds were low that he experienced an involuntary twitch at that precise moment, and more than that, they were low because the twitch didn't repeat itself--which is common for the average twitch we all experience, without reason, from time-to-time.
I am so grateful my husband thinks that my abilities are something to poke fun at, and he is very playful about it. That is a big blessing!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Meredith Vieira interviewed Ronald Cummings and Misty (nee Croslin) Cummings on The Today Show Friday. The video continues to support my original belief that both Ronald and Misty know more than they are telling us.
Read moreInterestingly enough, NBC reporter, Michelle Kosinski, now reports that the police are calling Misty "the key to solving this case." Police are finally publicly acknowledging that there are inconsistencies in Misty's statements. However, Kosinski also reported that the police "...are satisfied that Ronald doesn't really know what happened to his little girl." I suspect this is a very strategic move by police. It does not discourage my original opinion, as I still think Ronald knows more than he is letting on.
I was shocked to see that Ronald didn't dress up for his wedding. I think that his responses in this interview and the way he behaved through the whole wedding event are supportive that he had other motives for this marriage than "love".
When I first saw Ronald and Misty in the interview, they did not appear happy or encouraged about being there (i.e., grateful for such an opportunity). I almost felt like they wanted a free trip to New York, and so they decided to do the interview as a means to that end. Both looked very nervous, and not at all anxious or eager to be there to get the message out. Ronald says he went to New York to renew the focus back on Haleigh, but he had that same opportunity, at home, as we all know, so that is ridiculous.
Here are my thoughts on the interview with Ronald and Misty:
Vieira: ...so why did you want to come here today? What are you hoping to accomplish, Ronald, today?
Ronald: Uh... to get the focus back on my daughter's missing (smirk). My five-year-old girl is gone, and I want to find her.
What is fascinating about this is it's the first time I am seeing what appears to be delight in Ronald. In this statement, his face shows a very positive emotion. I am wondering if this is the first time he has heard that he is not being looked at by police, and that is giving him joy, but if that was the case, I would also expect to see a sense of "relief", which I do not. I just see a sense of joy. Why is Ronald feeling joy?
Vieira: Have they said anything to you about any possible leads at all?
Ronald: (curls his lower lip down and very slightly out, shakes his head no, and looks down, which is a sign of withdrawal--that he doesn't want to talk about it.)
Vieira: Nothing.
I don't believe Ronald here for an instant. He knows more than he is letting on. I suspect the police have told him some things that Ronald doesn't want to share with us. Perhaps it is that they are looking at Misty closer? Notice that the "smirks" disappeared here? That question didn't make Ronald very happy. Why?
Vieira then goes on to discuss how Ronald, Jr. talked about a man dressed in black taking Haleigh, and she asks Misty if Ronald, Jr. told either one of them about this. Misty says "umm-um, nope", and Ronald responds:
Ronald: Me, neither (slight smirk). I think this is some of the garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, the mother, has made up, but I'm just going to leave that at that.
Notice how Ronald lights up when he talks about this? He is working overtime to conceal his delight here. He almost is gritting his teeth to hold it back! I suspect he has really bad feelings towards Crystal right now and just gets joy out of hitting back at her, too. Clearly, he is becoming more smug--almost arrogant.
Vieira: Oh, so you don't even believe that Ronald Jr. even said this at all?
Ronald: (Classic shoulder shrug, lip curl) I don't know. (Notice he is smirking!). I wasn't at home. I was at work (he's gloating!), (shoulder shrug) I can't tell you, honestly.
I don't believe Ronald here for a second! Ronald is exceptionally smug in this video. He has an arrogance about him that is palpable. One indication of Ronald's arrogance here is how he cocks his head backward and looks down his nose at Vieira. Does he think he is fooling the world right now, or what?
Throughout much of the interview, Ronald has a very nervous energy about him. Notice how he wiggles his leg? I get the sense he really wants to say so much more. Ronald, I suspect, if he could tell us his true thoughts, would tell you he feels like he is in a vice.
Do you notice Misty is biting her lip? It's an indication she is very nervous. She's tense and scared. I suspect her heart is really pounding in her chest.
Ronald looks very intently at Vieira at times in this interview. If I were Vieira, I would find his looks threatening. They actually get my heart pounding. He then licks his lips, and I just get this feeling he is very volatile or could explode at any second. Misty licks her lips as well, but I don't feel threatened by her. I feel she is very nervous and uncomfortable. Two different emotions from these two people who both lick their lips.
Vieira then asks Misty why she stopped talking to investigators earlier this week, and Misty tells us the investigator was being very rude to her, and she wasn't comfortable talking to him. I believe she is being dead honest here. She gets quite confident when she says this, which we have rarely seen Misty do. Misty is usually very timid, because she is feeling insecure about the things she has been telling us. Notice how her words flow here, how she doesn't have to think about what she is talking about here? This is Misty when she is honest and sincere with us.
Do you see Ronald do his infamous "under-eye" watch of Misty when she talks? This shows exceptionally controlling behavior on behalf of Ronald. He is dying to look at Misty and give her a look or a message that he doesn't approve of what she is saying, but he doesn't dare do it. He continues to restrain himself.
Vieira to Misty: So he was accusing you of lying to him?
Misty: Yeah.
Ronald: After passing the polygraph (smiling).
Vieira: I think part of the problem is there have been a certain number of inconsistencies, or what's perceived to be inconsistencies, because you first said that Haleigh was in bed with you, then you said she was on the mattress next to you. This is an opportunity to clarify. You've had time to think through what happened that night. Can you walk us through it, one more time, your best recollection of what happened the night Haleigh disappeared?
When Misty gives her response, you can clearly see her thinking as she talks about it. Notice how different her behavior is here, compared to when she was telling us the truth above? Her words do not flow naturally here, whereas above, they did.
Vieira: Help me out, Misty. Why were there inconsistencies? Why did you say one thing, one time, and one time, the other?
Misty: (Notice how she purses her lips?) Ummm..... (Notice how she shakes her head to suggest she is thinking "I don't know"? Notice how she looks to Ron for an answer, and then she looks down?) I don't know (she shrugs her shoulders simultaneously).
When Misty looks to Ron during the interview segment above for help, it is fascinating, because it is strongly suggestive for us that Ronald is the one who is the decision-maker of the two of them--the one who is in charge in their relationship. Misty looks to Ronald for answers.
During this segment, Ronald also looks down and is very intense. His behavior is indicative of withdrawal. When two people are in cahoots, and one says something the other doesn't agree with, one will often withdraw by looking down and ceasing all communication. It's a powerful message of disapproval, which further supports that he is the controlling one of the two of them; however, Misty totally misses it.
Why is Ronald so controlling over this situation if, (a) they are telling the truth, and (b) he is innocent? It is flat out inconsistent! If they were honest and truthful, he would have no reason to worry about Misty, but he clearly does!
Vieira: Then yesterday you guys got married, Ronald. Why was that an important thing for you to do?
Ronald: I don't know. I think my little girl would have wanted it. I would have rather her to have been there, so obviously when we get her back (smirk), we will....do...a much larger, better wedding (super slight smirk), but we're just...that's just still (smirking) taking the focus off of (smiling) Haleigh (smile continues). We need to be focused on Haleigh (smile ceases abruptly) and not what I am focused on in my personal life.
Notice Misty keeps licking her lips? I wonder if because she is nervous, she is breathing more, and it is drying out her lips.
This segment is very telling about why Ronald married. If Misty was the reason, I would think he would talk about her first, but he doesn't. It's a strong indication there were other motives that Ronald doesn't want to talk about.
I think we are seeing classic duper's delight at this point when Cummings is talking about having a much better wedding when Haleigh returns. As soon as he thinks about himself again, his emotions change because he is frustrated that his privacy is invaded.
Vieira: Is there anything else you would like to say in case somebody is out there who might know something?
Ronald: Ummm.... if you (smirking) know something (looking up thinking), please call the crime stoppers....or....the....any local sheriff's office...and....if my little girl is watching, baby, I love you.
Do you notice how Ron has to think to do what is important for his daughter? It's mind-blowing! Notice how he doesn't talk to the camera, that he only glances at it? This is indicative that he doesn't believe she is out there listening. He also has no genuine inflection in his voice. He is monotone every time he talks to Haleigh. Why does he smirk again?
Vieira: And Misty as you sit here, do you believe in your heart that they see you as a suspect?
Misty: (very smug, perhaps a form of denial) No, I don't. (notice the brief head swagger?)
Ronald: I don't either (smirking). I talked to the lead detective. His name is John Merchant.
Vieira: And he said?
Ronald: (smirking) Nope, he doesn't think that she is a suspect.
Ronald is arrogant in this interview, and feels a sense of joy, which I suspect is duper's delight. Is that because he doesn't believe the police are on to him now, and that he is getting away with it?
I do think Misty is the "key" to solving this case, because she depends heavily on Ronald, and Ronald is very volatile, if you want my opinion. If Ronald were to be put under more pressure, he could very likely become unpredictable and even dangerous, and police may know that, so hence Misty is their best shot at getting to the truth, if they can't find Haleigh on their own.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Ronald and Misty Cummings are taking a honeymoon in NYC, and plan to appear on the Today Show tomorrow, according to FirstCoastNews.
Imagine if you were a teenage daughter, instead of Haleigh's age, how you would feel if your dad married while you disappeared (abducted and held captive), and then took a honeymoon to NYC. Would you feel that you mattered? That your dad cared about you?
If the Today Show interview is good and offers some unique insights, I will write up my thoughts over the weekend or by early next week and share it with you.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting today that Cummings and Croslin aren't going to waste any time getting married. They are supposed to tie the knot today at 4 p.m.
In the meantime, a 100-person investigative search team is combing the highways, looking for clues to Haleigh's disappearance.
Just thinking about this ceremony, I get upset. To think that Haleigh's body is likely laying out there in some horrific place, and her father has no problem going on with his life and having a big celebration today, it just violates me to the core. The lack of caring and compassion showed by Cummings is just devastating. It's just really, really sad to think about, and to think he is a father makes it a thousand times worse. Haleigh deserved so much more than this.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I missed "Lie to Me" last night. When I tuned in at the normal time, I found American Idol was on, so I changed channels. Then when I went to delete American Idol from my DVR later in the evening, I played it for a second, and I happened to catch the announcement that "Lie to Me" has been moved to the hour before. With that, this morning, I tuned in online to watch the episode I missed. (Episode 6 "Do No Harm").
I loved one scene this week more than any of the others. Read moreIt was the scene where Dr. Cal Lightman was asking Samantha 20 questions, but she refused to answer. Dr. Lightman, however, didn't need words. He read her body language--from swallowing, to the slightest of head shakes, to tenseness in her grip, if I remember right.
Samantha acted out that scene beautifully! She pulled it off perfectly. It was as good as real life!! And Dr. Foster did well, too, with supporting body language. At one point, Dr. Foster gave a supportive head shake expressing her beliefs. It was great. Both Samantha and Dr. Foster kept me in the moment, which few actors do, and I loved it!
This scene shows one of the ways I have innately read people for years and why people thought I was psychic, when clearly, I am not.
Now granted, these body language signs, while they are indications of things, they should never be taken as concrete evidence. They can mean different things or happen for more than one reason, but if you investigate what these indications are telling you, you will often find out that you were right more often than you are wrong.
Bravo Fox! Great job! I just loved this scene, and I liked tonight's episode a whole bunch. I can't wait to see more.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
If your answer is no, if you can please explain your experience, it would be helpful so we can try to resolve this. You don't have to use a name or an email. You can post your experience anonymously. Thanks!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Jodi Arias, in many ways, is an unremarkable woman. She is a soft-spoken woman with a gentle demeanor. Her words ebb and flow almost effortlessly, and she is quite confident in the story she tells. If you just watched her speak, without listening to the words, you'd think she was just having a casual conversation with someone about something inane, or something even slightly pleasing to her. Her story doesn't get remarkable until you hear what it is she is talking about, and then suddenly, everything becomes remarkable.
Read moreHere is a quick synopsis of a few my thoughts:
Arias' story clearly has one-in-a-million odds. What are the odds...
That two people would break into an apartment in the middle of the day, or late afternoon dressed in all black?
That they would kill one person, yet let the other go as a witness?
That you would leave a loved one mortally injured, and escape death yourself, but that you would never tell a soul nor ever call for help?
That as a victim, you wouldn't want justice?
That as a victim of violence, when approached by the police, you would deny everything, and then change your story, if you were truly almost killed at gunpoint by masked gunmen?
What are the odds that you'd forget about those masked gunmen after that night, never worry that they might know your identity or that they might come back to finish you off?
That an intruder would decide to use a victim's camera and take the time to shoot photos?
And then that they would take photos of the dying or dead body?
But strangely leave that camera behind in a washing machine (which shows the gunmen hoped to destroy the images)? What would be the point?
What intruder would even take the time to use a washing machine to remove the images, instead of taking the camera or the memory card with them?
What are the odds that a photographer might do this? Or that Arias might do this?
What are the odds the intruders or killers would pull the gun on Travis Alexander and it goes off, but when they pull it on Arias, it miraculously does not?
Arias also says at one point that the man walked her to Travis' bedroom and just left her there (without tying her up, etc). What killer or intruder would do that? Anyone know?
Almost every aspect of this case there are one-in-a-million odds, and each one by itself is incredible, but put them together, and it clearly supports that Arias is, statistically speaking, likely not being honest with us.
Arias' emotions are completely absent. When people experience trauma, their memory and emotions become deeply intertwined, and when they recount their story, their emotions always come flooding back. Yet Arias is an exception here. She faced a gun pointed at her forehead, and the trigger was even pulled, but no bullet came out. Yet amazingly, she has no emotional memories to match it. Mind you, Travis Alexander, her boyfriend, was not killed until June of 2008, so he hasn't even been dead a year yet when this interview took place. Arias doesn't show any true emotions outside of flickers of joy. Is it duper's delight? Or joy that she succeeded in putting Travis where she thought he belonged? What other joy could she be feeling after a man she loved was murdered?
Arias' details of the event are very sketchy and full of hedge words. Both of these raise alarm bells for me as well.
Arias: I heard... ah.... really loud, pop, and the next thing I remember, I was lying next to the bathtub and Travis was, um... screaming.
Arias: At that point, I...um...I sort of was just trying to come around and kind of orientate myself to what was going on," Jodi explains. "And I looked up and I just -- I saw two other individuals in the bathroom. And they were coming towards us.
Two other individuals? Is that how you would recall two people who attacked you? And the use of the word "other" is unusual as well. Also, if the intruders knocked Arias and Alexander down, or at least knocked her down and shot him, how come she recalls them both coming towards them again? It's unlikely two people will hit two others by hand or with a gun, move away and then come back again. It doesn't make sense.
"Jodi says Travis was alive when she fled his house." (48 Hours)
Arias: He was still sort of on his hands and knees, the whole time, until I ran from the room. That's the last that I saw him.
Notice the words "sort of" and how she finishes the sentence with "until"? Both of these words are unusual to me.
Arias: He pulled the trigger, and nothing happened with the gun, and so, I just grabbed my purse, which was on the floor at that point, and I ran down the stairs and out of there and I left [Travis] there. …I pushed past him and - and his gun, and I just didn't look back.
I find the words, "so", and "I just" here interesting, as well as her lack of emotional involvement in a supposedly horrific situation. I also find it interesting how she talks about her purse and qualifies its location, which was conveniently right at her feet at that point. How amazing is that? And if you notice, her story is not in the order of how things would naturally happen. She tells us she first ran down the stairs and out of there. Then she says she pushed past him and his gun. When people are deceptive, they often get their facts out of order like this.
When Arias says during the interview that the man led her to Travis' bedroom while the woman kept an eye on Travis, and just left her alone in Travis' bedroom, once he left, she says charged "her and she fell over him". Does this make any sense at all? It doesn't make sense on multiple levels. Try to envision it.
Arias' story shows indications that she is thinking as she speaks in these instances as well:
Arias : They were both taller than me, um...they were covered -- their hands, their gloves -- they had long-sleeved shirt on. They were in all black. He was wearing jeans. But they all -- they had ski masks on and I believe they were there to kill him, um...because they didn’t take anything...to my knowledge, there was nothing missing from the house.
I find it strange how she says "their hands, their gloves", how they had long-sleeve "shirt" on, and how she says "But they all--they had ski masks on." It's not a natural speech pattern for recollection.
Then Arias says, "They were in all black", but she then says the guy was wearing jeans. Jeans are typically blue. If they weren't blue, I would be surprised that she noticed, in this horrific event, that they were black denim. It's rather an odd clue for her to pick up on, unless, of course, she is creating this story.
I find it rather odd when she says, "I think they were there to kill him, because they didn't take anything." She immediately adds on an afterthought, which is common when people don't tell the truth..."to my knowledge, there was nothing missing from the house." How did she know that, if she ran out of the house and left Travis? Did the police tell her this? Either way, her speech pattern here is unusual.
Arias says, "He had some blood all over the floor." Isn't this somewhat of a contradiction? Some blood, yet it is all over the floor? Doesn't it usually take a lot of blood to be all over the floor?
I find it interesting when Arias says, "“I drove forever and ever, until I was in the middle of the desert." At which time, she tells us she called Travis twice and left him voice mail messages. Was she trying to create a record of her whereabouts so she could claim she was far away from Alexander that night? It makes absolutely no sense otherwise that she would call him at this point, and not call for help instead.
Arias shows several times that she is a master manipulator and liar. My response to that? When people show you who they are, trust them. Believe them.
Talking about her situation in the intro to 48 Hours, Arias says, "Sometimes life requires you to step out of your comfort zone a little bit....and that's kind of the reason why I am here right now." Arias is clearly manipulating why she is where she is--in jail right now.
Arias is not in jail right now awaiting a murder trial because "life required her to step out of her comfort zone". Give me a break. She is trying to paint a sweet portrait of herself. Notice the words "kind of"? That she doesn't talk about "murder"? How she uses other words instead of the word "sex" many times until later in the story? All of these behaviors are indicative that she is a manipulator.
When asked by 48 Hours if she confessed what she knew to police when they first interviewed her, Arias said, “No. I think I was wise enough to know that coming to him with that story at this point would be like implicating myself.”
Clearly, we can see Arias lied. She admits to it. She has no problem lying to people, if she feels it will suit her. An innocent person knows that lying will only cause problems to get worse. A liar? Well, lies are their only hope, aren't they?
Interestingly enough, she can't keep her facts straight, which is another indication of deception. When Arias is talking about the photographs police found, she says "I'm assuming it's the woman, because the pants were black. And the guy was wearing blue jeans.”
Obviously, Arias cannot keep her facts straight. This is total contradiction to her story above about how the intruders were dressed in "all black". (I found this after going back to get quotes in this case).
Jodi said she had to "try and remember that day" when the police found her. Don't you find that interesting? Most people would struggle to forget about it, because it would be so haunting. Why is it not haunting to Jodi?
Do I trust Jodi Arias? I do not. Not at all.
To me, though I am not an expert in psychology, Arias has the classic behaviors of a psychopath. I don't think it will take a jury very long to convict her and put her behind bars for life, or perhaps even give her the death penalty, to which Arias said, "“I know that I won't be the first person to be wrongly convicted, and possibly wrongly sentenced for either life in prison or the death penalty. Personally, if I had my choice, I would take the death penalty because I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison.”
Have you ever seen an innocent person say, "You know what? If I am convicted, just give me the death penalty". It's totally absurd, as is Arias' story, if you want my opinion.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Are you having difficulties loading my blog? Several people wrote to me today stating they are having issues. I was wondering if you are having problems, if you can describe them. Then if anyone who reads my blog is good with this sort of the stuff, if you could share your expertise or insights, I would be so grateful for your help. I am unable to figure out what is going on.
Many thanks!
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Is Cummings on the fast track to do all the things he always wanted to do?? It sure makes you wonder. Is he trying to keep Croslin happy so she will stay devoted and loyal to him?
More than that, notice how Croslin says, "This is what Haleigh wanted. She's always talked about it". Notice she talks in past tense? It's intriguing, yet very, very sad that these two people can focus on themselves so much at this time. I still feel strongly that these two people know more about Haleigh then they are telling us.
Read more here, or to read all of my thoughts on this case, click on the labels below.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I remember in the early days and weeks after Caylee went missing, people were standing in the street in front of the Anthony home, outraged at the Anthonys. I remember being beside myself that people were lashing out at Casey's parents.
People, to this day, are still expressing anger and scorn at Cindy, George and Lee Anthony. They have a tremendous dislike for them. I suspect it is partly due to the fact they ultimately blame Casey's parents for her behavior, but I suspect it is more than that. I think they likely loathe Cindy, George and Lee because they aren't standing up and saying they think Casey had something to do with Caylee's murder. It's as if the Anthonys are denying the obvious, to most people, and that makes people go crazy.
Read moreYet the Anthonys are not alone in their denial, which I believe is a survival mechanism. I suspect many other family members of people who have killed likely do the same thing. I've said that here several times.
This week, I came across a news article on the father of Diane Downs, Wesley Frederickson. He is offering a $50,000 reward to any information which leads to the release of his daughter. This just made news in February of this year--25 years after his grandchildren were shot and one was killed.
This case is even more compelling than the Anthony case because Diane Downs was convicted of murder and locked up, whereas Casey hasn't even gone to trial. More than that, Christie Downs, Diane's 9-year-old daughter at the time of trial, testified against her own mom, saying that she witnessed her mom shoot her and her siblings, and then turn the gun on her own arm.
Making it all the more unbelievable, Diane Down's father, 26 years later, is still clinging to the belief his daughter just has to be innocent, and that his grandchildren must have been delusional or lying. He even maintains a website to this day here.
I think Diane's dad gives a new perspective to how powerful denial can be, and how it is a coping mechanism for survival.
I do not judge nor will I ever judge Diane Down's father or the Anthonys, because to be in their shoes must be pure and utter hell, if you accept the most plausible of truths that their daughters attempted to kill their grandchildren, that their own flesh and blood knew no normal boundaries of love and compassion and had the ability to kill in cold blood.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Here is a video of Diane Downs recollecting the crime (in 1983), she says occurred at the hands of a stranger, when her daughter was killed, and her other two children were shot.
Be warned, it's as chilling as chilling can be. Downs lacks any normal emotions, and actually laughs as she does the re-enactment.
Diane Downs is someone who I could classify as a "negative" person (or as an easy read).
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
"Lie To Me" this week had a scene where Dr. Cal Lightman and Ria Torres, the natural, were talking about abuse. Dr. Cal Lightman said that because Torres suffered from abuse, that is why she became so good at reading body language. In another episode, Lightman said Torres was good because she didn't have a higher education, so she had to rely on non-verbal communication more.
I wondered, after I saw those shows, if people wondered if I was a victim of abuse, or if I didn't have a degree. I am happy to report I hold a masters of science degree, and that I was not abused as a child. I grew up in a solid home with no abuse of any kind. I had and still have loving parents.
I did have a traumatic childhood in school, however. I was bullied for years, I believe, because I was an ultra-sensitive child. If you said you disliked me, I was the type to cry my eyes out. If you told me to go away, I cried for hours. I had the thinnest skin on the planet and with that, I suspect, kids picked up on it and played me to the hilt. I became a victim to my own softness, and it took me until junior high to break out of it. I was highly taunted and teased for many years. It was very traumatic for me.
But if people who are abused develop this "sixth sense", than there should be a lot of Truth Wizards out there, a lot more than the one percent identified by science. I personally don't think this explains it.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
The first thing I did when I saw that Ronald Cummings had a tattoo of Haleigh on his leg was put myself in the shoes of an innocent parent, whose child was truly abducted, and I thought about how I would feel. Then I thought about the tattoo.
If my daughter was missing, I would not want to memorialize this horrible tragedy on my leg, should she still be alive and come home, which is a thought I would desperately cling to until I had no other option.
If my daughter came home, I would never want to be reminded of the horror that I endured all those weeks not knowing where she was, but worse and more importantly, of the potential pain and suffering my daughter would have had to endure at the hands of a sick stranger for all those weeks. If my daughter come home safe and sound, I would want to forget this nightmare. Forever. I would not want to have horrific memories memorialized on my leg in a tattoo, especially if it could become an emotional "trigger" for my daughter of her nightmarish experience. I would never want to give a predator such power, either. I would want fresh beginnings and a new start, but a tattoo would rob me of that.
Of course, Cummings would likely argue that he got the tattoo as a sign of love and devotion to his daughter. We can't say anything conclusive by his behavior here, but it is unusual, to say the least. Most parents of missing children find secondary things, such as unnecessary salon visits and self-pampering, are not a top priority in times of crisis like this. Finding their missing children takes top priority, even four weeks later.
It brings me back to the day I saw Cumming's mother, Teresa Neves, on TV saying that Cummings didn't go out and search on that particular day because "no one came and got him". I was just appalled by that, as if it is the responsibility of other people to motivate Cummings to search. He is the father who should care the most, and be the most driven to organize, plan and continually work to find his daughter, but he continually shows us he is not.
If I were in his shoes, there would always be a task I could do to keep my daughter's face front and center in the public's eye, if I was not searching.
Cumming also doesn't appear to look at the media as a tool, which I find perplexing. Innocent people who are victims of crime and are looking for a missing loved one usually see the media as a means to an end. They may not like the media, but use them as a tool. Instead, here, Cummings actually complains he is not being left alone to do what he wants to do! It's just mind boggling.
What sad story this is on multiple levels. I just don't trust Ronald Cummings. To read more of my thoughts on this case, click on the labels below.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I was sent this video over the weekend, and I must say it is exceptionally chilling (be warned). It's a video of Diane Downs talking about the day, back in 1983, a "bushy-haired stranger" supposedly carjacked her and shot her three children. I don't know when the video was taken, but I suspect it was before she was incarcerated.
I had to walk away from the video after the first minute or so because I found it so disturbing, and I didn't return to watch it in complete until yesterday. Downs is a very scary woman, if you want my opinion.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
There is news coming out of North Port this week about Coralrose Fullwood's murder. I wrote about her father, Dale Fullwood, back in June of 2007. While his daughter was found murdered not far from his home in September 2006, and the DNA evidence on her body was not that of her father, Dale Fullwood put me on high alert and caused me great concern when I watched him speak in June of 2007.
Read moreI remember watching Dale Fullwood on video, and literally getting so nauseated that I had to stop and walk away. I remember being disturbed for an entire week over Fullwood in that series of video that I couldn't shake it. I was deeply disturbed at the picture Fullwood painted when he talked to the camera crew in his vacant house.
Then in August of last year (2008), police arrested Patrick Dewayne Murphy for the murder of Coralrose Fullwood. Yet the police stood firm that the investigation was far from over. Regardless, I took a hammering from some visitors to my blog (in this comment section).
Paul said, "DNA and good detective work found the guilty party. Just goes to show you that everyone reacts differently to [sic] tramatic events."
* * *
Use Brains Not Emotions, said "This is exactly how innocent people end up in prison or death row. Because of crazed hysteria and moral outrage that fuels miscarriage of justice. It was a terrible crime but let's please try and remain a civilized society that conducts itself by the rule of law. Otherwise we become the Taliban.
Oh and by the way, if you were an expert in murders as you claim, you'd know a lot of family members historically have been noted to have reacted without much emotion. It's not unusual. Amateurs."
* * *
DK said, "Thank God they just caught the guy about a half hour ago. This rambling of yours is just awful. Obviously this was an overwhelmed, grieving parent. Who knows what your problem is. They did an excellent documentary on TV recently about Maddie McCann where they pointed out how different victims handle this type of situation."
* * *
Anonymous said, "Wrong, wrong, wrong. I know the man and he is not the brightest bulb on the tree, but that does not make him a child murderer. Patrick Murphy, a stranger to the family has been charged with this crime."
* * *
J Lamb said, "Congratulations for falsely accusing someone of murdering his own child. I hope you can sleep well at night. If they had not the DNA evidence, people like you would have sentenced an innocent man and left the monster to rape and kill again. Shame on you. Think long and hard before you convict an innocent person in [sic] you websites. If I were the [sic] fullwoods I would sue you for [sic] ever cent you had. I hope they chose to do that. That's the only way to stop lies like yours."
I wonder how these people will react to the fact that the alleged killer, Murphy, whose DNA was found on Coralrose Fullwood, knew and met with Dale Fullwood several times, and both were seen to be viewing pornography together at Fullwood's place of employment. Just a coincidence? I hope time reveals the truth and all parties involved are held accountable.
I respect the people who had different opinions than me on this story, and I welcome the fact that they shared their opinions. I am grateful for that. I am only sharing their thoughts above in hopes that it will help people keep an open mind in the future when looking at cases. Ironically, if we become closed-minded, this is precisely how the truth does get buried, how justice is never truly served, and the sick can continue to harm and violate the innocent in our society.
Justice may take time, but if investigators are dedicated, and work hard, they usually uncover the truth. Keep up the good work, North Port! I hope you uncover the final details to shut this case for good and put all people responsible behind bars where they should be.
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
I have watched your requested segments from Lee Anthony's deposition below, and I, to my own surprise, do not see any indications that Lee is being deceptive. I believe, from the segments that I have seen, that he is telling us what "he believes to be true" in these segments (obviously, I am not speaking on behalf of the entire deposition as I have not watched it in its entirety).
I expected if anyone in the family were going to see the truth it would be Lee, but I don't think he is there yet.
Lee's movements, his body language, his words and his behaviors all seem consistent to me. I do not note any hot spots, or red flags. Honesty is always the hardest for me to convey. How do you identify sincerity, or genuineness?
Read moreLee basically tells us until he gets cold hard facts, he is going to believe his sister. I think he is being dead honest when he says that. He believes he knows his sister better than anyone, and he isn't going to trust strangers and believe the worst without absolute proof. I don't think one can fault him for that.
Accepting that you've been duped, duped huge, and that deception could have cost your niece or granddaughter her life, is not something that a person comes to accept easily.
Patricia Keays asks:
Can people be in denial to such an extent that they truly do believe things that others see as blatant lies?
Absolutely.
I see this most often with family members or people who were close to pathological liars. They have a horrible time accepting they've been duped, even when there isn't a tragedy involved like this one. It's hard for people to believe they didn't see things as they really were, but instead they believed the falsities told to them. Those tall tales were their reality for a period of time, and they don't give them up on them easily.
Now add that those tall tales make your own sister one of the most evil people you've seen in decades. Are you going to easily embrace that truth? It's not likely.
I can't help but see hints of George Clooney when I look at Lee. Do you see the resemblance?
Comment Policy: This blog is about understanding human behavior. You have the right to state your opinion if it is respectful. Disagreements are encouraged if they meet this standard. This blog is about deception and not about politics or religion--hence discussions on these topics will not be tolerated. Anyone who violates these general rules will be immediately banned. I have a zero tolerance for rude and disrespectful behavior.
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