Raw Video Interview with Tonya Craft

Drew, Thank you very much for find these videos; I could only find news stories where she was not speaking.

From a statement analysis perspective I was bothered by the fact she never directly denies the allegations, instead less forcefully she says no matter what the jury decides it doesn't change the fact about her innocence. Innocence and guilt are legal terms, and it would have been more honest- from a statement analysis perspective- if she had said she did not molest/touch these girls in an inappropriate manner.

When a person makes statements where the expectation is that they will be found guilty, before they are convicted can be a sign they have intellectually realized they are not going to get away with the crime; while a totally innocent person would always believe there could be no way they could be convicted of something they did not do.

When seeing it again, I am also bothered that she shows more emotion talking about the impact to her family. When entrenched in a legal battle concerning a criminal act that could result in spending the rest of your life in prison, you tend to ignore family and concentrate on yourself- your total energy is focused on making sure you are not going to wind up in jail for something you did not do. The heightened emotion could be for other reasons, like guilt, but there is no way to truly know.

When asked about why she considered becoming a lawyer it is the most telling part of the interview that could easily be missed. She states she wants to change the laws to protect her children- presumably children who are taken away from their mother when charged with a crime. This obviously is the biggest impact to her in this whole ordeal. Wouldn't the biggest impact be, being wrongly accused of a crime. She is a smart person, that is clear. She worked in education where there are very clear laws and rules designed to protect the children she comes in contact with as a teacher. If she see signs of abuse with any of the children she teaches, by law she would have to report what she sees. She has to understand that the laws are designed to protect the children from harm. At some level, wouldn't it be more genuine if she would have said I want to make sure what is happening to me doesn't happen to someone else- being falsely accused; and/or to make sure the laws protect the children; make sure everyone is more educated about the possibility of child memories (all she stated is very true in regard to statements made by children and this will likely be her defense, especially given the fact one was an actress portraying sexual abuse making false memories even more of a possibility) as it relates to legal proceedings.

I can also tell you why everyone is divided to her guilt or innocence. She has a way of answering questions in a manner that strikes a cord with everyday people. It is a common plot theme in fiction, Mr. or Ms. Normal American Citizen suddenly, without warning, is blindsided and forced into an epic battle- If you are old enough to remember the movie 'North by Northwest' where Hudson starts the day normally and through no fault of his own is caught you in a complicated spy thriller. When she answers questions she can answer them in a way that conveys it could have just as easily happened to you; and you have no control over it- not a situation anyone would want to be in. She also is pretty and looks innocent, Cornell Study: Juries Convict Attractive People Less Often

I would have liked for her to take a polygraph, her answer, while plausible (shown in the first video) still doesn't change the fact that the police offered her to take a polygraph and if she passed she would not be charged (not charged immediately anyway, cops language is a whole different article). Since she is from a small community, had she passed the polygraph there would be a great deal more support for her. Polygraphs have legal problems, but the shear willingness and confidence to take a polygraph test, in my book, says more than passing or failing the actual test.

Conclusion time. I simply do not know for sure and I would not want to be on the jury. I am conflicted by her lack of confidence from a statement analysis perspective. I would love to speak with the detectives to get their first impressions, any video or recordings of interviews with Tonya- too much time has passed- but if we could see that initial interview footage I'd think it would be clear if she was guilty. With deception we can never be 100% sure, but with this case I am willing to say the charges are more likely to have happened but given the law and the problem with false memories of children it is likely we will never know for certain without seeing Tonya when first confronted with these allegations.

Footnote: Since I occasionally coach reporters when interviewing people like Tonya there were a couple of mistakes made by the reporter. When you look at the raw footage notice:

- On a couple of occasions the reporter actually interrupts Tonya- interrupting an interviewee is something we should never do.
- The interviewer uses more words and takes longer to ask sensitive questions, this shows a lack of confidence on the part of the reporter and this puts the interviewee on guard. It is natural to do this in everyday conversations, but reporters have to be more straight forward and aggressive. Deliver these like the other questions: short, sweet, and open ended. Prepare all your questions before hand!

One big PLUS and compliment for the interviewer is at the end, she asks if there was a question that she didn't expect or hits close to home (I do not know for sure what was asked, it was hard to hear) at which point, Tonya thinking the interview was basically over gave a more animated, unrehearsed answer. To any reporter reading this- do this with every sit down interview, and keep it going as long as possible... the interview isn't over until the mics are off and the person is out of the shot, only then is it over.◦

Obama on Health Care Reform Means More Jobs: Voice Analysis

President Barack Obama says passage of his health care proposals would create new jobs by making small business startups more affordable. (Oct. 3)

One of the things that stand out to me- as someone who analyzes the President often- He is tired and there appears to be a lack of intensity you normally see in his eyes. He was NOT EXCITED at all during the conversation and he appears to speak freely about all issues. He was not thinking too intensely when speaking. He becomes most unsure of his words when speaking about the future and/or referencing the small businesses.

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Obama on Health Care Reform Means More Jobs: Voice Analysis

Politicians Game: Watch How She Does Not Directly Answer The Question

September 22, 2009
Attorney General, Baroness Scotland being interviewed by ITNNews

The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, says she "absolutely accepts" she should have been fined for not copying documents.

At 1:40 she is asked a question, of which she does not answer. What she does do is end up repeating many of the things she has just said to the first reporter.

This is one of the oldest tricks in the Politician's crafty book. When asked a question, without any regard to the content of the question, they will make their statement.

She has a sentence or two that has been well crafted to accept responsibility for not copying the document, implying that it was more of an administrative error than being outside the compliance of the laws of the county of which she is responsible for enforcing.◦

Politicians Game: Watch How She Does Not Directly Answer The Question

LA Premier of 'The Invention of Lying'

At the LA premiere of 'The Invention of Lying', Jennifer Garner revealed the tricks and untruths she got up to on the set of the film with her director /co-star Ricky Gervais and Rob Lowe. (Sept. 22)◦

LA Premier of 'The Invention of Lying'

Briefings in the White House Can be Difficult

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 18: United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice (R) answers reporters' questions during a press briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at the White House September 18, 2009 in Washington, DC. Rice gave some details about U.S. President Barack Obama's participation in next week's UN general assembly. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

What we see above is an aggressive gesture- the fist (which is better than pointing which is what she is trying not to do)- from the United Nations Ambassador and the Obama Press Secretary not liking what she is saying, evidenced by the way he unconsciously moves his hand to his mouth.




In this picture we see purse lips by both, this is a sign that they do not want to speak about the reporters question. They both have their eyes in a frown/scowl, like a parent would if they were unhappy with a child.◦

Briefings in the White House Can be Difficult

George Clooney and Vera Farmiga at the Premiere of the Movie, 'Up in the Air.'

George Clooney walked the red carpet at the premiere of his latest movie, 'Up In The Air', at the Toronto Film Festival where the actor and his fellow cast members revealed how much fun the film is. (Sept. 21)

For once, George Cloonely should not have all of our attention... Vera Farmiga does some things worthy of attention to us.

It is about 35 seconds into the news story.

Vera is scratching the side of her neck and this is a sign of doubt or uncertainty and is very noticeable- she may not fully believe in what she is saying.

Neck rub is seeking reassurance and comfort, she is uneasy speaking about the romance.

She moves her hand up to above her left eyebrow, this is a form of eye blocking where she is not liking what she is seeing... she also turns away... as if turning her back on the statements.

Shoulder shrug, as she says, "I don't know," this is another form of uncertainty.

Scratches her nose, a clear sign of deception.

These are all unconscious gestures that have meaning. This is a clear sign of the gestures not matching the words.

If I was to coach her, I'd tell her to not touch her face, head, or neck when speaking; and ACT for gosh sakes and have prepared thoughts for the red carpet.◦

George Clooney and Vera Farmiga at the Premiere of the Movie, 'Up in the Air.'

Classic Case of Answering a Question with a Question

Fox News' Jesse Watters speaks to ThinkProgress about his Ambush Interviews.

My first thought was this was a worthless piece of unprofessional interview footage... but then I'm thinking here is a guy who makes his living getting other people to answer questions when they do not want to; he must have some tricks up his sleeve and has learned a few things over the years, and he has.

Notice how he doesn't directly answer the questions. "Called her office twice" is not her directly refusing to appear on the show...

Questions answered with a question- means it is a sensitive question and the person may be stalling for time to come up with an answer.

He effectively stalled for three minutes, what he did correctly:
- Unemotional.
- Friendly.
- Appeared to want to answer the questions (even though he didn't).
- Never overacted, when he asked can you repeat the question, neutral.
Because he did all these things he appeared professional.

It still doesn't have any journalistic qualities but it is interesting to view from a interviewing technique perspective.◦

Classic Case of Answering a Question with a Question

"Keep F@#^king that chicken" News anchor curses on air: Spontaneous Fear or Surprise?

Okay, this takes the cake... Legendary New York broadcaster Ernie Anastos had a momentary lapse of reason Wednesday night.

Watch the anchorwoman! Surprise or Fear


Her lips are tight and drawn together so it is fear; her eyes are wide open which is a sign of either fear or surprise. The lips tell us it is fear.◦

"Keep F@#^king that chicken" News anchor curses on air: Spontaneous Fear or Surprise?

President Obama, Professor Gates, Sergeant Crowley over Beers

U.S. President Barack Obama (R), Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. (L) and Sergeant James Crowley meet in the Rose Garden of the White House, July 30, 2009. Last week Crowley arrested Gates in Gates' home. UPI/Pete Souza/White House Press Office Photo via Newscom

Obviously the incident at Gates' Home was an emotional one, where both individuals have to share some responsibility for not being calm. An incident where body language and not mirroring each others emotions would have had a better conclusion. Hindsight...

Okay we will never know what is being said over beers, or will we?



Above Gates is speaking using gestures. With this gestures he is speaking from his perspective. We use this to explain how we feel by moving our hand back and forth from the heart. Crowley is leaning back- which could be comfort- but it is not- no one can feel totally comfortable at the White House- he is more 'stand offish' while the President is leaning forward, which shows interest, but also notice how he is leaning towards Crowley- this is a way of showing some sort of support or concern.



Wow, good job photographer! The photographer has either caught a microexpression or a macroexpression. His mouth (dropped open) shows surprise while his eyes (lowering of the eyebrow and intense gaze) and forehead shows anger. Crowley cannot believe what the President is saying. If it is a microexpression we see a true emotion, if he maintained this expression for one to four seconds then Crowley could be purposely showing his discomfort or it is a true emotion.


One of the best photographs of the day is the one below. It tells me they have moved beyond the incident from a personal level. This was taken as they made their way from the White House to the table. Here we see Crowley help Gates down the stairs. Neither would allow this type of contact if they still harbored deep negatitive emotional feelings towards each other.

Official White House photograph.◦

President Obama, Professor Gates, Sergeant Crowley over Beers

Fox's More to Love- Who Will Make it to the End

I watched the premiere of the latest dating show and I clearly saw four women that caught Luke's eye.

First, Fox and the Producers are playing with FIRE! The concept sounds great, but in reality when you have so many women without realationship experience, and feel this is “the LAST chance to find someone” you have raised the stakes and they better be extremely careful that after they leave the show they have some sort of support. With all other shows of this variety the 'actors' have relationship experience and it is not the end of their relationship life if they are not chosen- many on this show feel it is and this could lead to extreme despair (along with the potential of embarrassment they may feel) which is dangerous.

You will see at least one of these people in the final... I am only commenting on their initial connection.

Malissa, He licked his lips when he saw her, he did this because he liked what he saw and subconsciously wanted to feel her touch on his lips... Luke also continued to shake her hand and this shows that he wanted extend physical contact.

Amanda, He had a larger smile with her than he had with others. She stoked her hair, which is a sign of attraction- she wants him to notice it. She shrugged one shoulder when she asked if he was ready to date multiple girls, which he turned away from, and they both laughed. Whenever you laugh together you connect. She very quickly set the tone of their relationship, she is confident, intelligent, and strong.

Lauren, connected from the start. They both were able to make small jokes and they both exhibited laughter- whenever someone laughs at our jokes we feel better about that person. He continued to hold her hand as she turned to walk up towards the door.

Melissa, he had more than a social smile with her. He brought up his other hand and held her wrist, this is a closer handshake. After he said he loved her eyes he initiated the hug- he has not done this with others. He is obviously getting more comfortable with the greeting, but it is also sign that he is attracted to her because he has done three things. In body language we call this ‘clusters‘ which is a clearer indication of his feelings. This greeting is somewhat different- he was more into her than she was into him… this could have more to do with her confidence.

Anna, he gave more than his social smile when she emerged from the car. As she was walking up the steps to go into the house, as he was watching her he subtly pursed his lips. Inward pursed lips can be a sign of stress, not wanting to speak, or not liking what they are hearing. In this particular example I believe it was a form of licking his lips, which is a sign of attraction.

Now onto those who did not have good greetings:

Arriane, unfortunately she showed disgust with her nose during the greeting. This is not good for first impressions.

Vanessa, they were out of sync. He controlled her, moving her on her mark. She held his hands instead of the other way around. She made him slightly uncomfortable.

Bonnie, he let out a tist sound while meeting her; this sound’s closest relative is a laugh; this is not good for Bonnie.

Natasha, she did not have a good greeting, they were out of sync from the start to the end. She showed nervous laughter as she was leaving, and he did nothing to alleviate her unease.◦

Fox's More to Love- Who Will Make it to the End

Actor Yuval David Dominant and Virile Stance, or What?

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 30: Actor Yuval David attends the 4th Annual Independent Television Festival Opening Night Gala at the Laemmle Sunset 5 on July 30, 2009 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images)

You might recognize him from Days of our Lives...

If you see this stance in a bar...this is the most sexually aggressive posture a man can display. It highlights his genital region. When I teach body language and describe how a man could take this stance with their thumbs in the pocket or wrapped around their belt loop it always seems improbable that people really hold this stance. If you see this stance displayed towards a woman he is displaying interest- be sure to check the direction his feet are pointing.

Now to this picture and lets examine it in context. He is not attempting to be sexually aggressive. He is unclear what he should do with hands, and chooses this. Hiding his thumbs is a negative gesture. Think royalty, they may place their hands in pockets or on their lapels, but they almost always show their thumbs. Thumbs denote strength of character and ego and are often used to display dominance or even superiority. He'd be better off by putting is hands in his pocket, with his thumbs sticking out. A small change like this can make all the difference in the world of Hollywood perceptions.

Studies have shown that people wearing new, attractive clothing display thumbs more than those that are wearing older clothing...

He is displaying a social smile. Having a great social smile is one of the keys for success and longevity in Hollywood. He could make it better by tilting his head ever so slightly, (if he wanted to appear more sexual he would tilt it one way and if he wanted to appear more intelligent he would point it the opposite- but more on that in a different post) and smiling big enough so we can see about one third of the top and bottom of his teeth.

I will not apologize for being "rough" on this actor. He is no different than hundreds of others who I see and analyze on the red carpets... I recognize it is just one picture... but one of the hardest things for actors to do can be the red carpet. The biggest stars rarely have a problem with this and it comes second nature to them. They come off relaxed and confident and that is one of the reason we like to see them on TV and in movies. It is a tough business to be in; where image is everything; and to play any role or character you have to understand body language.◦

Actor Yuval David Dominant and Virile Stance, or What?

Jillian Harris, Bachelorette Will Not Marry...Doomed

BURBANK, CA - MAY 30: TV personality Jillian Harris from the television show 'The Bachelorette' attends the 2009 Disney & ABC Television Group summer press junket at the Walt Disney Studios on May 30, 2009 in Burbank, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

One thing I can count on, like clockwork, my wife and daughter will faithfully make sure that I'm sitting in front of the TV when The Bachelorette is on. It is probably the one tangible thing they like and get out of my abilities of reading people.

From the first greeting to the last rose ceremony I'm asked all along the way, "Is that true," "Does he love her," and stuff like, "Will it work out."

With the editing on a show like this, you see more clues and emotions in a short amount of time and you are able to guesstimate 60-75% of the time what is really going on.

HERE IS THE SAD TRUTH, She will not marry ED!!!

Watch it again online! The clearest signal that I saw of Jillian's true feelings is with each and every kiss (except for one at the rose ceremony) with ED she physically backed away from his kiss with her upper body and she angled her face and shoulders away from Ed immediately after the kiss. It is what anthropologists call "angular distance." By turning farther away to right or left reveals how someone truly feels about someone else.

When I first saw this I knew what was up. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and examined it in the context where some sort of love could exist: For example maybe she was doing this to play hard to get so he might get a tad more "fire" below in ED; or so she could play with us and trick us into guessing she'd pick the other guy... I was trying to ignore the gesture clusters that clearly stated, she wasn't that into him... Maybe... Then I saw it several more times AFTER the rose ceremony. It is written all over her body language.

In the long line of failed relationships brought together by a silly concept, another will bite the dust. If you know of some off shore betting establishing taking bets on this, let me know...◦

Jillian Harris, Bachelorette Will Not Marry...Doomed

High Profile Person Charged With a Crime

One of the things I have noticed over the years is how high profile people deny their charges to the media. If the person immediately begins stating things concerning attorneys and their day in court... it is not as strong of a denial as I didn't do_________ and it puts me on guard that they may be guilty.

'I'm innocent..." also does not sit well with me, cause even the guilty are innocent before the trial. I'd much rather hear I didn't do it and I will be found innocent.

If someone is stating things concerning being falsely accused and they will have their day in court and they are not showing anger or frustration- I'm on alert. If I'm innocent, falsely accused, having to pay attorneys, and putting my life on hold when I did nothing wrong... I'm not going to calmly accept things without putting out there the harshest denial possible.◦

High Profile Person Charged With a Crime

John Gosselin and Mystery Blond Last Night

Jul 19 2009

Jon Gosselin departs dinner at 'Accademia di Vino' with a mystery blonde, stops to pose photos, then goes for a walk together in NYC.

Take a look at Jon. I see two things going on here. One, his hand in his pocket, with thumb outside his pocket is a high confidence pose. Two, his non symmetrical smile show that it is not a true smile of enjoyment- There is some unknown emotion underneath the surface (could be- look at me, I'm on top of the world; or could be- this will really hurt Kate when she see this; who knows what he is really feeling or thinking).

The mystery blond knows a little about having her picture taken. The way her left leg is bent, turned towards Jon is a protective posture- She is saying she is more comfortable with Jon than the photographer. Her posture, and the way she holds her hand is showing a certain amount of confidence. The way she holds here head would be wrongly interrupted as shame (because she is looking down) because shame and confidence are two emotions that you do not see together.

It would be interesting to know the particulars with this dinner, with matching outfits and posing for the photographers makes me suspect it was set up to take the heat off Jon's other over-reported relationship with the teacher- this is only speculation on my part. He does look like a changed man, more sure of himself as of lately.◦

John Gosselin and Mystery Blond Last Night

Paul Ekman Interview with Chicago Fox Station

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Paul Ekman Interview with Chicago Fox Station

Sotomayor's Blink Rate

Wallace discusses Milbank's "interesting" analysis of Sotomayor's "blink rate"




O'Reilly hosts "Body Language Czarina" Reiman to Discuss Sotomayor's Blink Rate

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Sotomayor's Blink Rate

What Are You Saying?

Jun 23 2009

WASHINGTON - JUNE 23: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (C) listens to U.S. President Barack Obama during a news conference in the James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White House June 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama was expected to discuss the high cost of health care, energy independence and the post-election disputes in Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

What does this pic say? I would love to know what the President is talking about at this exact moment. All his advisers have pierced together lips, meaning they do not like what is being said. Emanuel is showing a large about of stress and concern in his forehead, he looks like a parent who is attempting to get the kids to settle down from the other side of the room- that stare that parents can deliver that stops kids in their tracks.◦

What Are You Saying?

Mark Bowden Talks About Body Language

Mark Bowden is a body language experts who appears on television "across the pond" frequently. Mark is an actor who advises business managers how to use body language in their roles as company leaders.

Below is a link when Karl Moore talks with Mark Bowden and this appears in video and transcript format.

Language of the Body from the Globe and Mail, appearing July 15th, 2009.

I really like his style and video presence; if you do also- I would suggest searching the larger video web sites to see more of his work on the television; he always is entertaining, informative and interacts really well with the on air talent.◦

Mark Bowden Talks About Body Language

Victim or Faker?

There are times when someone accuses another of a terrible crime. I'd like to think someone wouldn't do such a terrible thing to another person. Unfortunately it does happen. Sometimes people want to be "the victim" because they like the attention they receive. Other times it is to hurt the other person. No matter the reason, it does happen.

We need to be able to determine the likely hood that the crime did or did not take place.

The below video is showing someone who was a victim. The crime was committed years ago, but the pain is still there. Watch it. Empathize with her pain. Try to understand it. This event will live with her for the rest of her life. I only hope she finds a way to find peace.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

One other gesture that is not shown in the video, in women, they will often place their hand in front of their neck, covering the space where their collarbone and neck meet. It is a reflex protective gesture.◦

Victim or Faker?

Conan O'Brien Flashes Eye Brows Showing, "Hi, I Know You"

What we see here is the raising of the eye brows- that is involuntary- that we all do when we see someone we know.

It says with the face, "How are you doing" and acknowledges the other person as familiar.

The funny thing, is we do it involuntary when we see others we know, but it can be faked, and when you do it to complete strangers, they do it back to YOU!

With television personalities, and others in the public eye, they should return it when they see it, or they may appear rude or stuck-up. The stranger, when recognizing a celeberty, will assume a deeper connection, because, after all, they are in their living room all the time.

He has also perfected the perfect social smile, exposing teeth, and outer mouth turned up.

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Conan O'Brien Flashes Eye Brows Showing, "Hi, I Know You"