There are many sites listing the behavioral clues to depression, and if you are concerned about someone you know please search out this information.
My goal here are to list several common body language signs so that they can be tracked over time to help you determine if things are worsening.
FACE
In the face, in full blown sadness ,you will see lowered inner eyebrows, droopy eye lids, lowered outer lips.
In subtle sadness you could see raised inner eyebrows, protruding lower lip, eye blocking.
Research has shown that facial sadness is one of the easier emotions to determine.
BODY
In body language you could see lower shoulders, arms hanging down, head tilted to the side, lazy posture, and lack of gestures- it as if they are saying and/or conveying 'why bother' non verbally.
The gestures you will see will be pacifying in nature. Rubbing of hands, neck, face... You can judge the extent they are willing to share their pain by how open their gestures are- for instance if they are rubbing their face or over their heart. It doesn't necessarily mean they will share - as the mind and body do not always agree with each other.
Emotions that are related to depression could be shame, defeat, contempt, pain, guilt are among a few.
You must evaluate the nonverbal signals in the context of the root cause. For example, while it is normal to suffer a certain about of depression after the death of a loved one, we must evaluate the enormity of it over time and to what degree it appears different from the norm.
If you see depression in those around you, seek guidance from trained professionals.◦
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Body Language of Depression and Suicide
When Players Who Talk Become Silent
They have a hand.
When silent ones become talkative, they have a hand.
When people who have lazy posture, are sitting straighter or even at attention, they have a hand.
You are looking for changes in behavior. Subtle or not so subtle need to be recognized and noticed. Whenever there is a change, your should be on full alert. I see professional poker players on televison do this all the time after their initial bet after the flop, it is time for the sunglasses?!?!◦
Monday, July 27, 2009
Don't Stand to Close to... that child- Pedophiles and Proximity to Others.
There are social norms of how close we stand next to others, and visa versa. One way to spot a pedophile is they will violate these norms with children.
You might think this would be easy to spot- but with children, who are unfamiliar with these norms, and are sometimes moving all the time, it can go unnoticed.
There is a bubble around most people of approximately 18 inches that is consider "personal space." We only let those very closest to us in this area, and it is generally reserved for those we are dating/married/immediate family.
As we grow older, less and less people are "allowed" in this area. As we grow older we will feel more uncomfortable with allowing others in this area.
To the pedophile they can naturally enter this zone under the guise of natural friendship: it could start with a pat on the head; or leaning into the child who is standing next to them as them compliment them to their parents.
Obviously watch for the zone infraction; but combine this watchfulness with this question, "Would the invasion of personal space make yourself uncomfortable if you were in the child's position?"
In today's time, where everyone who works with children should know the rules of what is appropriate, if you see this type of space infraction be warned and on alert. There should be no difference between a child and adult in regards to the personal bubble of intimate space.
This warning is quite different for the previous post on this subject- if you are comparing the body language the two different personalities described in the two posts- they exist at two different ends of the continuum. What I have described here is the body language of the type of predator who places themselves in position(s) where they are working and interacting with children to further their sexual wants.
WARNING: Not every invasion of your child's personal space warrants an investigation, it should put you on guard. 99% of the people who work as teachers, religious leaders, scout leaders are doing so innocently and without hidden personal motives.◦
Ben Roethlisberger Statement on Civil Suit Alleging He Raped a Woman
This is a high stakes situation which lends itself to leakage if deception or inaccuracies are present.
Obviously he was very nervous and exhibited high stress throughout the statement. He read from a prepared statement, that included legal review, and he had practiced it several times. His hand gestures were unnatural.
With all that being said he did speak freely about all the issues and I could see no deception or inaccuracies. You can notice how subtly he slightly shakes his head no and yes to emphasize his points.
His initial sentence is not something that could be said by someone who was guilty without some sort of deception leakage, especially under his extreme stress and nervousness.
Slight eye blocking with his blinking, he doesn't like that he is seeing all the reporters, cameras, etc.
There are several subtle shoulder shrugs which suggest he is unclear why this is occurring. Shrugs are a universal gesture of helplessness and uncertainty.
He is less convincing when he describes his obligations to his work; it is during this time he shows subtle sadness and defeat. It is as if he is saying with his expressions that it will be difficult to accomplish his obligations.
Now, there may be more to the story that will eventually come out through the legal proceedings, for instance he doesn't say he did not have consensual sexual relations with the accuser. He is too nervous and stressed if this was someone he didn't know or only met in the lobby.
It is my opinion he is being truthful in his statement.◦
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Dr. Sam Sheppard Mystery Solved Through My Statement Analysis- Part Three [FINAL]
Undated File Photo: Dr. Sam Sheppard, Center, Whose Story Inspired The Popular Television Series And Movie 'The Fugitive,' Is Seen In This Undated File Photo. Proceedings Begin January 31, 2000 In The Wrongful Imprisonment Suit Against The State Of Ohio Filed By Sheppard's Son, Samuel Reese Sheppard, Jr. (Photo By Getty Images)
My comments are Bold and Italicized throughout the statement below. Interesting things said by the doctor are in RED.
At this point the statement would be marked as after the incident. 50% of the statement should be the actual incident. At this point we'd expect the statement to become more emotional because it is at this point the realization and the affect of his wife being murdered would be felt. As with other posts I will not mark all items that are normally marked during statement analysis for fear it would confuse those not familiar with the process- I will only mark sections that are interesting from a deception or guilt perspective.
A number came to me and I called, believing that this number was Mr. Houk's. I don't remember what I said to Mr. Houk. He and his wife arrived there shortly thereafter. During this period I paced back and forth somewhere in the house, relatively disoriented, not knowing what to do or where to turn. I think that I was seated at the kitchen table with my head on the table when they arrived but I may have gone into the den. I went into the den as I recall, either before or shortly after they arrived. The injury to my neck is the only severe pain that I can recall. I should say the discomfort in my neck. I didn't touch the back door on the road side to my recollection. Shortly after the Houks arrived, one of them poured half a glass of whisky as they knew where we kept a small supply of liquor and told me to drink it. I refused, since I was so groggy anyway, I was trying to recover my senses. I soon lay down on the floor. Mr. Houk and Mrs. Houk went upstairs, I am not sure of their actions. Mr. Houk called the police and the ambulance; this is in my recollection, and also my brother Richard. I am pretty sure that Mr. Houk called the police station from my study because he said "bring an ambulance"- correction - he referred to the need of an ambulance and maybe two. He also called my brother Richard. I remember my brother, Dr. Richard, speaking with me for a moment and looking at me. I believe Officer Drohnken spoke to me and asked how I had been injured. I can't recall my reply for sure. Soon thereafter I was on the floor trying to give my neck and head some support, when Dr. Stephen Sheppard examined me some time thereafter. Dr. Stephen Sheppard assisted me to his car, which I think was his station wagon, which as I recall, was just behind the Bay Village ambulance. I remember no other specific vehicles. I was transported to Bay View hospital.
I related some of the incidents to mayor Houk and one or more of the Bay Village police officers. Later in the morning I was questioned by Dr. Gerber and at another time by two officers of the Cleveland Police Department, Officers Schottke and Gareau. Later, I believe, later in the day, I was again interviewed by Officers Schottke and Gareau the presence of Chief Baton of the Bay Village Police Department. At this time I was asked to explain some things that I had no explanation for. I was shown a green bag; a green cloth bag looked like heavy cloth. I thought it was eight or ten inches long and five inches wide. I was asked to identify it. It looked to me like a bag that is used to carry motor boat tools. This was similar to the bag, if not the same bag, that accompanied my Johnson outboard motor vehicle I purchased it. I was also shown a watch that I identified as mine and questioned why there was blood on the band and crystal and why it had been found in this bag with some other articles in the weeds behind my house on the bank. I am not sure but I believe Officer Schottke said that there was also a ring and keychain, also in the bag but I don’t believe that he showed me these articles. I told him, as I recall, that I had attended stock car races two or three days previously with my wife, Otto Graham and his wife and I didn’t mention the children as I recall and was caught in a drenching rain, at which time I wore no coat or jacket but I don't think I explained this at that particular time. I since recall having inadvertently this at that particular time. I since recall having inadvertently water-skied with my watch on in the past few days and had noticed a great deal of moisture in the crystal. I had commented on this to my wife and some other people, I am not sure who. My wife planned to take the watch to Halle Brothers in the near future where she had purchased it.
A: I was subjected to a period of questioning, all of which I can’t recall at this time but was reminded of this morning and then the officers left.
Q: How long had you known your wife Marilyn?
A: Since we were in Junior High School, approximately fifteen years, or slightly more, in 1937 or 1938.
Q: From the time you met her until you were married, did you see one another quite frequently?
A: I would say yes, however, there was a period when she entered high school that I remained in Junior High School, that we saw each other very seldom for being sweethearts. In other words, we were not going together but still giving each other and liked each other…
Q: When did you first begin to keep steady company with her?
A: When we were in Junior High School, when she was in the ninth grade and I was in the eighth grade. She was a year and a half ahead of me in school. We had a so-called affair which, as I say, became inactive when she went to high school, but was revived when I reached high school and was able to assert myself. This continued throughout high school. She as I saw, was a mid-year but; she took extra courses in order to stay in high school until June of 1941. Some time during my sophomore year, I had joined a fraternity and Hi-Y and I offered her my Hi-Y pill and eventually my fraternity pin, which at that time signified going steady. During the following spring and summer she displayed the intent to have dates with other fellows. She was staying with her grandparents out at Mentor-on-the Lake. Early in the fall the following year, which was 1941, we resumed our former relationship. The following year I was a junior in high school and she went to Skidmore College. From that time on we considered ourselves engaged although it was not publicly announced und the fraternity pin was the only representation of this fact. This was a high school fraternity but a national organization and part of the laws of the fraternity insisted that only mothers, sisters and engaged sweethearts should wear the pin other than the active member himself. My freshman year in college, I joined a national college fraternity and she got that fraternity pin as soon as it was available.
Q: When and where were you married?
A: In 1945, I believe, February 21st, in Hollywood, California, First Methodist Church.
Q. Where did you take up residence after you were married?
A. In a small apartment on Sichel Street in Los Angeles.
Q. How long did you live there?
A. We lived there on that same street until the spring of 1951.
Q: During the time that you lived in California, did you and your wife, Marilyn have a misunderstanding whereby either one of you thought it best to part or separate?
A: During and following my wife's pregnancy up to approximately two years following the birth of the youngster, my wife became quite jealous. This was consistent with the termination of my didactic school work and the initiation of my work as a physician, which included contact with many women, both patients and fellow workers. This jealous reaction improved steadily until she became seemingly much more tolerant than I would consider the average female to be.
Q: Did she ever consult an attorney in reference to your domestic difficulties?
A. Not that I know of.
Q: Is it true that some members of your family communicated with her, asking her to be tolerant and reconsider her action?
A: Not that I know of, but I think that some members of her family, however, may have.
Q: Since your removal to the State of Ohio, what has been your home life?
A: Well, I considered it to be ideal in that she seemed to make it her business to be agreeable, tolerant and I should say, livable. Forever, there were times when this little jealous streak would show up but I would always reassure her and she seemed to need no further support.
Q: Did she ever directly or indirectly accuse you of having an affair with someone else?
A: She indirectly may have in questioning me about my whereabouts at various times and in the form of reassurance I often took her with me, when possible on visits to nearby cities or even the hospital.
'May have' is incorrect. She either did or did not question him. This is a sign he does not want to admit about her questioning.
Q: How would these inferences affect you?
A: Well they affected me in the direction of reassuring her what seemed to satisfy her and thereby produce a reversed action, whereby she would encourage me to be friendly with other women at social gatherings whereas at other times she might have resented the same action which she had encouraged before.
Q: Is it true, Doctor, that on several occasions when you were discussing your marital troubles, that you flew into a rage?
A: Absolutely not, never.
Absolutely is word that we always mark in statement analysis; it is a word that people use to 'prove' what the next thing they say is true- but what they say is suspect in our analysis. It is said to give emphasis to a denial or statement. Innocent people do not need to use words to plead for believability.
Q: Did you ever have an affair with a Sue Hayes?
A: I wouldn't call it an affair but we have been good friends for some time, which was known to my wife.
He is being asked a 'Yes' or 'No' question which he does not answer either yes or no; instead he gives a sentence where he can skirt directly answering the question by bending his definition of "an affair." It is also interesting that he admits that it was know to his wife, yet she only indirectly asked him questions concerning his whereabouts.
Q: Had she been employed at Bayview Hospital?
A: Yes. I don't know the exact dates. She was employed there when I initiated my work at the hospital and she terminated her work there some time last winter or early spring in 1953. She returned some time later in that year and terminated her work again at the hospital some time early in 1954. She went to California.
Q: In what capacity was she employed at the hospital?
A: Laboratory technician.
Q: While at work you had considerable contact with her didn't you?
A: Yes.
Q: To what extent?
A: She did a great deal of the technical laboratory work on all of the doctors' patients in the hospital and was the only technician practically that readily answered emergency calls on accidents or emergency surgical cases. I might also add that she was considered during her stay one of the authorities when special work was necessary.
Q: Is it true that you socialized a lot with her?
A: In the hospital, yes. I wouldn't call it socialized. We talked we became good friends.
Q: Nothing more than good friends?
A: No.
While it is a strong 'No' it is interesting that he admits to something in other places. Once again he is bending his definition of friends.
Q: What was the occasion for you purchasing a wrist watch for her?
A: She was in California at the time. I was there in March of 1954 and I had asked her with some of her friends to accompany me with a group of doctors and wives to a dinner, at which time or during the evening she lost her wrist watch. I paid the check for the dinner which, incidentally amounted to more than the wrist watch was worth and knowing this she could not afford to purchase another one, I purchased one for her which was consistent with the one that she had lost, in price range.
Q: Did your wife Marilyn know that you were contemplating purchasing this wrist watch or did she know immediately thereafter?
A: My wife didn't know of this until in casually discussing the trip some time during our trip home, that is, me and my wife, or after we had reached home shortly, at which time she became some what upset, failing to understand the intent. I wish to add, I told her of this voluntarily.
Q. Do you own a Jaguar Sport car?
A: Yes.
Q: Where did you purchase it?
A: I purchased it from M.G. Motors, which was at that time located on Lorain Road and has since been moved to Detroit Road.
Q: Do you recall the salesman name that negotiated the transaction?
A.: The only real salesman is the boss and that is Mr. Robert Lossman.
Q: Did you have occasion to meet his wife, Julle Lossman?
A: I took care of her as a patient about a year and a half ago when they were involved in an accident.
Q: Did you become very well acquainted with her?
A: As a doctor-patient relationship, yes.
Q: Now, is it true that a very close friendship resulted from this meeting?
A: I would say a close friendship with both the husband and the wife.
Q: Isn't it a fact that it developed into a love affair?
A. No, not on my part certainly.
As you will see from the below line of questioning that once again he is bending his definition of 'love affair' and perhaps this answer was 'true' because he never felt love on his part.
Q: Of your own knowledge, do you know whether or not there had been a discussion between Mrs. Lossman and her husband and you and your wife Marilyn that there had been such an affair existing between you and Mrs. Lossman?
A: That is difficult to answer. My wife and I were present at a time when Mr. Lossman and his wife discussed some of their marital problems. He at this time did mention the belief that she had shown particular like to me. We merely attempted to act as referees, my wife and I.
Once again a yes or no is all that is required.
Q. How did this affect your wife Marilyn?
A: She thereafter felt that it would be best that we not arrange frequent social affairs with the Lossman's and I agreed.
Q: How long ago was it that you decided not to see the Lossman's so frequently?
A. That was last summer in 1953 after the middle of the summer.
Q: Isn't it a fact that you have contacted Mrs. Lossman by telephone since then?
A: I never contacted Mrs. Lossman by telephone. She contacted me always in regard to some medical problem in regard to her little girl or herself. I saw Mr. Lossman frequently at the car agency and I saw them both infrequently at gatherings of the Sports Car Club, which is it club that I am not very active in but attend functions of occasionally here in the city.
Q: Isn't it a fact that you dated Julle Lossman on several occasions?
A: Absolutely not. I know there was some rumor to that effect but it is not true.
Q: Did your wife Marilyn know of this rumor?
A: Yes.
Q: How did it affect her?
A: She made it known to me and I reassured her and agreed that we should minimize our social contacts with the Lossman's and that was all there was to it. She had no particular objections as long as we kept it on a very infrequent basis.
This is interesting, he is referring to social contacts. This is slightly different than the other occasion where they agreed to minimize social contact. 'Which was known to my wife' above when discussing a different woman, can lead to confusion as to the intent of the sentence.
Q: Since this agreement with Marilyn about the contacts with the Lossman's, did your wife Marilyn show any coldness toward you?
A: No.
Q: Your home life was like an average normal couple's, had no bickerings or any petty quarrels?
A: No, because she respected my decisions on all matters.
Q: Directing your attention to the night of July 3d, 1954, at which time your wife was murdered, are you directly or indirectly involved in this crime?
A: Absolutely not.
Q: Do you know of any reason why someone else would take her life?
A: Possibly.
Q: Will you state the possibility?
A. Well, I don't know but I have heard of individuals who are maniac enough that when they start something, an act like that, it becomes a compulsion, a means of satisfaction like the ordinary man has from an orgasm or something of that nature. She has spurned lovers, potential lovers.
Beware of the speech. What follows is always important.
Q. How many of those potential lovers did she have?
A: Three that I know of and I am pretty sure, more. I am certain that there wore more.
Three is called a liars number. When people make things up they are more likely to make up the number three. While he could be telling the truth, it warrants further investigation and confirmation. With the next question it appears there was follow up and the individual names were left out of the signed statement.
Q: Have you told the police about these three and revealed their identity?
A. Yes.
Q: The night of July 3rd, 1954, when you reached the top of the stairs, after you heard Marilyn's outcries, you say you saw someone standing beside the bed occupied by your wife, were they standing or stooping over the bed?
A: I don't recall seeing anything from the head of the stairs, it happened so rapidly, it must have been when I entered the room and I don't know whether they were standing or stopping.
Stopping what? If it was beating or sexual assaulting (by the way the body was found) he would have heard something upon approaching the room.
Q: Immediately upon entering this room, did you have an opportunity to make some examination of your wife?
A: No.
Q: Why?
A: Because as I told you, I seemed to be immediately engaged in grappling, with someone.
Q: Do you know what portion of the body of this person you were grappling with that you had hold of?
You can tell the detective also picked up on my same concerns I had stated in previous posts, he understands that things concerning the struggles are not adding up in his statment.
A: I don't recall holding any portion of the body in the bedroom.
Q: You stated that you were assaulted from behind when you entered the room or immediately thereafter?
A: I felt that I was engaged from a direction somewhere within 180 degrees in front of me and you seemingly were struck from behind as I stated above.
For this to occur there would have to be two intruders, which there was not.
By Detective Robert Schottke:
Q: At the time you were assaulted on the beach, what was the condition as to light or darkness?
A: As I related before to Mr. Rossbach, it was just lighter than dark, it was not as dark as darkest night. There was a light seemingly starting, about the best way I can put it, as though daylight was just barely beginning.
Frustration is showing. Investigators will ask the same question over and over again, rephrasing it, attempting to elicit more information. This is a sensitive question to the doctor.
Q: At the time when you and this man were tussling or fighting on the beach, about how many feet of beach was there?
A: I don't know.
Once again, in his statement above he was very clear concerning his position when he awoke. The doctor has made a mistake with this part of the story that the detectives are attempting to bring forth. It is likely related to the north wind, high water, and no signs of a struggle. North winds on Lake Erie are not long lasting without bad storms, to wake up in the water would be unlikely. Without knowing the shape of the beach, position of the boat house, etc. it is hard to determine the exact nature of their questions and his answers.
Q: At the time when you were fighting with this man, could you feel any water in which you were fighting?
A: I can't say for sure but it seemed like the bench was firm, as though it had been washed over and packed somewhat.
Q: At the time when you woke up, will you explain your position on the beach as to this retaining wall, how many feet you were from this retaining wall?
A: I don't know, I can't say, but I think I can say that I was between the easterly and of that retaining wall and the steps, but I cannot say how far I was north-south wise.
Q: At the time when you woke up on the beach, will you tell us as to the condition of the wind and the waves?
A: It seemed that it was somewhat windy and the waves were moderately high. I’ll say too high to water ski and not too high to fish, not real high but moderately high.
Q: Is there anything else that you can tell us about this, Doctor?
A: Not that I can think of now. I wanted to say that I have come here of my own free will to help you in every way that I can to solve this tragedy and I hope that you will give me the opportunity to give you any additional information when and if I shall be able to remember it or find it.
'Think of now.' is an indictator he does have more information to give, but is unwilling or chooses not to.
He is leaving the door open that there may be 'reason' to continue the converstation at a later time.
Q: Have you been treated fairly during the course of this questioning?
A: Yes, absolutely.
Q: Have you read the above statement and is it the truth?
A: Yes it is true.
This is one of those things that drive people trained in statement analysis crazy. Language is specific, and when conducting statement analysis we take it to the greatest degree. What is the object of 'IT' in the above 'Yes it is true.' The statement itself is simply a statement; it does not have the right to be true or false. The words, sentences, and answers have the right to be true or false. In many older statements this type of language is used. Today there is more clear language that more accurately states that the information contained in the statement is an accurate representation of what has occurred and happened and nothing has been left out. This allows for further questions if something is found out after the statement was taken that contradicts the statement.strong>
Signed Samuel H. Sheppard
Robert F. Sehottke, Det.
Patrick A. Gareau, Det.
Carl Rossbach, Dpty.
Arthur E. Petersilge
This statement was taken by Gertrude Bauer and concluded at 4:15 o'clock P.M. Saturday, July 10th, 1954.
End note: I was hesitant to release this because this occurred many, many decades earlier and statements this old are from a different time. Language and the way we talk changes, they were more proper. Today when we see more proper language in statement we analyze the proper parts of the statement more clearly.
Another example showing this was from a different time, is the interview of the doctor took many hours and was condensed in this statment. Since the doctor has signed the statement we have to assume words were not placed in his mouth; an innocent man would object over the smallest detail that makes him appear more guilty.
Another thing that concerns me is the effect if could have on others. All of the major players in this case are long gone at this point. This case was a major case for the time and several people were hurt as a result. I feel that time has passed to the extent that it is not widely known and public interest has long passed.
Social science and criminal investigations have changed drastically since the murder. His wife was pregnant at the time, today we understand that the father is the statistically the most likely suspect. We also know that when a loved one finds a family member murdered, if their privates are exposed, each and every time they will cover the privates to give them dignity- some have gone so far as to wash the body to erase the indignity- which did not occur here.
For more background into the doctor, click below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sheppard
◦
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Dr. Sam Sheppard Mystery Solved Through My Statement Analysis- Part Two
Dr. Samuel Sheppard sits at a courtroom table wearing a neck brace and sunglasses, while on trial for murder in the beating death of his wife Marilyn, Bay Village, Ohio, 1954. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
My comments are Bold and Italicized throughout the statement below. Interesting things said by the doctor are in RED.
In the dim light I began to come to my senses and recognized a slight reflection on a badge that I have on my wallet. I picked up the wallet and while putting it in my pocket, came to the realization that I had been struck and something was wrong. I looked at my wife, I believe I took her pulse and felt that she was gone. I believe that I thereafter instinctively or subconsciously ran into my youngster's room next door and somehow determined that he was all right, I am not sure how I determined this. After that, I thought that I heard a noise downstairs, seemingly in the front eastern portion of the house. I went down stairs as rapidly as I could, coming down the west division of the steps, I rounded the L of the living room and went toward the dining table situated on the East wall of the long front room on the lake side. I then saw a form progressing rapidly somewhere between the front door toward the lake and the screen door, or possibly slightly beyond the screen door. I pursued this form through the front door, over the porch and out the screen door. All of the doors were evidently open, down the steps to the beach house landing and then on down the steps to the beach, where I lunged or jumped and grapped him in sane manner from the back, either body or leg, it was something solid. However, I am not sure. This was beyond too steps an unknown distance but probably about ten feet. I had the feeling of twisting or choking and this terminated my consciousness.
'began' is present tense verb but they may have spoken that way in the 50s.
I think it is odd that he mentions his wallet, but does not mention if anything was missing. We have to ask us ourselves why? Is it to solidify the robbery concept? Is it to say he had a badge?
His first realization- should have been before putting his wallet is in pocket- is that he had been struck and something was wrong- the order is wrong- the realization should have been listed first.
He then states he looked at his wife- who is on the bed- there is no transition from the sitting position to being able to look at her and take her pulse.
There is no mention of how she was laid out, which is significant and shocking. There is no mention of the blood and his wife's bruises. There is no emotion, which we would expect at this point.
He 'thought' he heard a noise down stairs; you either did or didn't. These are unnecessary words which is a sign of a deceptive story.
'either body or leg' it is odd that he is unclear what he got a hold of; given that he 'lunged or jumped' and was now holding the form on the lower portion of the form's body; he states he had him from the back- how then do we transition to him having the 'feeling of twisting or choking.' The act of cutting off oxygen is not something that can occur without struggle, unless the neck is broken. Having a 'feeling' is an understatement, he should be clear.
The next thing I know I came to a very groggy recollection or being at the water's edge on my face, being wallowed back and forth by the waves. My head was toward the bank, my legs and feet were toward the water. I staggered to my feet and came slowly to some sort of sense. I don't know how long it took but I staggered up the stairs toward the house and at some time came to the realization that something was wrong and that my wife had been injured. I went back upstairs and looked at my wife and felt her and checked for a pulse on her neck and determined or thought that she was gone. I became or thought that I was disoriented and the victim of a bizarre dream and I believe I paced in and out of the room and possibly into one of the other rooms. I may have reexamined her, finally realizing that this was true. I went downstairs; I believe I went through the kitchen into my study, searching for a name, a number or what to do.
It is odd that he is so clear as to his position on the water's edge, then later states how he became disorientated.
I believe everything, he states, that happened upstairs in the house it truthful.
A doctor would have no problem determining death.
Perhaps I should have explained statement analysis a bit more in detail. Most people, even guilty ones, do not lie in their statements. They have a way of being truthful, but are able to be truthful because they bend the definitions of words and phrases; they omit important information that signals guilt. In the process of having to juggle both sides, their words trip them up.
Up to this point the police know a great deal about the victim and what she went through. Nothing the doctor has said contradicts what we can imagine happened to her from a medical perspective. In fact everything that he states here is likely to have happened, and would be seen clearly by the murder. The detail in which he interjects is from a suffering perspective, while he ignores the gruesome details- this in itself is a sign of distancing himself from the crime. He is more comfortable with telling us about her moans, perhaps he feels she deserved it?
The doctor suggests the presence of 'a form' but there is a great deal of inconsistency in regard to the form's position and subsequent struggles that render the doctor unconscious.
Both times where he lost consciousness he is unclear how it happened; it simply happened.
To be Continued...
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Dr. Sam Sheppard Mystery Solved Through My Statement Analysis- Part One
Undated File Photo: Dr. Sam Sheppard, Whose Story Inspired The Popular Television Series And Movie 'The Fugitive,' Is Seen In This Undated File Photo. Proceedings Begin January 31, 2000 In The Wrongful Imprisonment Suit Against The State Of Ohio Filed By Sheppard's Son, Samuel Reese Sheppard, Jr. (Photo By Getty Images)
My comments are Bold and Italicized throughout the statement below. Interesting things said by the doctor are in RED.
Interview at Sheriff's Office on July 10, 1954 (11:40 A.M.)
Sheriff's Office
County of Cuyahoga
Dr. Samuel H. Sheppard, you are now being questioned and may be charged with the crime of Murder at a later date. The law gives you the right to make a statement if you so desire. Anything that you may say here may be used either for or against you at the time that you are brought to trial in court. Now that you understand these facts, do you wish to make a statement telling us the truth about the facts that caused your questioning at this time?
A: Yes.
Q: Has any drug or medicine been administered to you within the past twelve hours?
A: Just about twelve hours ago I did have a grain and a half of seconal which is a short acting barbiturate and should have no effect on me at this time.
Q: Is there any doubt in your mind but what you can sit here and give us a true statement of what you know that occurred in your house on the night of July 3rd, 1954? At 28924 Lake Road, City of Bay V1l1age, Ohio?
A: I feel that at this time I can tell all that I know.
He does not answer the question with a simple Yes, instead uses the hedge words of 'at this time' and 'all that I know.' When words like this are used he is giving himself wiggle room in his mind and is saying I'm going to give you the information I want to at this time, but I might not be telling you the entire story.
Q: Proceed
A: After having a difficult morning and early afternoon at Day View Hospital where I am in charge of the accident room and the head of the Department of Neurosurgery, I made a couple of visits and then proceeded home.
'I made a couple of visits' -knowing more about the visits is an important part of the investigation. As you will learn later on in the statement, the doctor had had affairs. Years later another individual was implicated in her murder; if the doctor worked together with this person it could very well be that they met during this time. We will never know based on the information available on the Internet about this case."
I arrived home at a time later than five o'clock, realizing this because I had hoped to work in the yard with my family and found that it was too late to do so. My wife informed me that we correction - that she had planned to get together with Mr. & Mrs. Ahern that evening. We were to go to their home for a drink before dinner and then return to our home for dinner. We realized that there were a couple of business matters involving vouchers that we should record and we did this before leaving the house. We compared notes and my wife recorded the material on the Sheppard Clinic vouchers. We soon thereafter went down to the Ahern's and drove our larger car as I recall. The Ahern's were both working in the yard with their children and we instructed them not to stop but to continue with their work as we chatted. My son was playing with youngsters in the yard. Mrs. Ahern insisted on going inside shortly thereafter and Mr. Ahern instructed his young son how to continue the lawn mowing with their power mower. We shortly went into their kitchen and some type of mixed drinks were prepared. I am not absolutely clear in regard to the exact nature of this drink since we often have done this in the past and I could confuse one incident with another. Shortly thereafter, or after being there for a short time, I received a telephone call from the hospital in regard to a youngster that had broken his femur which is the thigh bone. I had received this call as a result of reporting their number to the hospital in regard to my whereabouts.
It is slightly odd to not tell the story in the order that it happened, especially for a smart man. The Doctor should have stated he had called the hospital when he actually did it, not after the fact. Why did he feel the need to explain why he got a phone call at their house? This would be worthy of a simply question if you were the interviewer, "when exactly did you call the hospital?"
The type of fracture was described to me and I decided that I had best go to the hospital and evaluate the situation. I asked Mrs. Ahern to find me a clove so that I could put this in my mouth and overcome any slight odor. I got into the car and proceeded to the hospital where I examined the youngster and the X-rays that had been taken. This youngster, as I recall, was visiting here and lives in an area near Youngstown. I believe it was the father with the youngster but I am not absolutely sure.
I hope the police followed up on his visit to the hospital and this patient. There is a great deal of fuzzy language in this statement. At this point there are several interesting statements explaining absences.
I explained that the youngster should be treated in the hospital and we hoped could soon be transported to the Youngstown hospital which I attend in the capacity of neuro-surgeon and traumatic surgeon. I then got in my car and returned toward my home, passing it since I did not see signs of the Ahern's, my wife and the children. So I returned to the Ahern’s home. Mrs. Sheppard shortly left to start the dinner. I and the Ahern's followed soon thereafter. I believe the children went with us but they may have run over by themselves. I really don't know. At our home Mr. Ahern and I chatted and the children played while the girls prepared dinner. The youngsters somehow evinced interest in my punching bag in the basement so I took them downstairs and placed a bushel basket under it so that they might reach the bag in order to hit it. I spent a moment or two with them showing them how it should be properly struck. I recall now that the children were fed in the kitchen before we ate. Shortly thereafter we four adults had dinner on the porch. It was quite breezy, the wind coming from the north generally, it may have been northeast or northwest but since the porch was cool, sweaters and jackets were in order and I put on my brown corduroy jacket. The others I am not sure of what they wore. I remember that my wife had baked pie which is my favorite dessert. The other types of food I can't truly remember.
Having lived on lake Erie myself, knowing the wind is from the north is significant. The lake is shallow for a great lake and the wind direction can drastically change water levels- as much as a 3 feet of difference from one end of the lake to another. This has significance later on in the statement.
After we had completed a leisurely dinner, Mrs. Ahern made some mention of a movie but we recognized that it was too late to attend a movie so we kiddingly suggested the television movie. The girls must have cleaned up the dishes while Mr. Ahern and I went into the front room. I am not clear on anything from dinner to the time we watched television together, but the dishes were cleared up. I think Mr. Ahem took his children home am put them to bed and my youngster must have been put to bed by my wife but I don't remember. Mrs. Ahern, my wife and I started to watch the television movie or program. I think it was a movie and as I recall now, Mr. Ahern sat over in the northwest corner of the room, that's the side toward the Lake, with a small radio turned on just loud enough for him to hear it and listen to a ball game which was in progress.
It is odd to say that 'we kiddingly suggested the television movie,' and then end up watching a television movie. It is the same as saying we kiddingly suggested going to McDonalds for our anniversary, then stating later that that is where you went.
The three of us watched the movie and Mr. Ahern reported the progress of the game a couple of times. He then either turned the game off or it had terminated and he came over to sit and watch television with us. My wife and I were sitting quite close in one chair and that is the last time I recall her in a relatively normal state, clearly. Mrs. Ahern seemed to be stimulated by our apparent affection and she sat on Mr. Ahern's lap for a short while.
Some time within the next few minutes, my wife moved to the chair I next to me because the cramped position as a result of the two of us in the chair, she said strained her back. Mrs. Ahern also moved either before or after that. We chatted as the program progressed and I became tired, relatively drowsy. I moved to the couch in the living room, situated on the west wall of the staircase and the east wall of the L portion of the living room which protrudes to the road. I lay down with my head toward the television in a prone position, holding my head and watching television. The television is on the north side of the room. My head was nearer the television set than my feet. It was toward the television set. There may have been a pilled helping to hold my head. I evidently because very drowsy and fell asleep. I recall wearing summer cord trousers, a white T shirt moccasin type loafers with no shoe strings, I am not sure of' the socks. I don't know whether I had removed my brown corduroy coat that I had put on earlier, or whether I did at this time or not. The next thing that I recall very hazily, my wife partially awoke me in some manner and I think she notified me that she was going to bed.
At this point I mark the statement as everything happening up to this point is events before the incident. When analyzing statements it is important to know this information because 25% of the statement should be events leading to the incident.
One thing to note, up to this point I have not marked all the words that I normally would (which I have done in a Word document) because there are so many fuzzy and unclear recollections that it would have confused those who are unfamiliar with statement analysis.
It is interesting to note how there is clear detail concerning them watching television, but so much unclear information concerning other events leading up to that point.
I eventually continued to sleep. The next thing I recall was hearing her cry out or scream. At this time I was on the couch. I think that she cried or screamed my name once or twice, during which time I ran upstairs, thinking that she might be having a reaction similar to convulsions that she had had in the early days of her pregnancy. I charged into our room and saw a form with a light garment, I believe.
In the previous paragraph he states 'my wife partially awoke me,' and then he states he 'eventually continued to sleep' which logically is an untruth- he was either woken up by her or partially awaken- this unclear language is an area of concern.
He recalls hearing her cry out or scream. During the rest of the paragraph he begins using fuzzy language. Fuzzy language is an indication of making up a story.
Also, many first statements out of eventual confessors start out, "I heard the gun, then looked down and saw him bleeding" while truthful... the part omitted from the statement is "I pulled the trigger, heard the gun, then looked down and saw him bleeding"- even the murderer will hear the gun...
It is interesting that he does not remember if she cried out or screamed- most would remember their perception of what they heard when something like that occurred.
CRY is also a strange choice of words. If you are trying to signal for help you literally do not cry. A more appropriate action performed by his wife would be she "screamed out?"
Anyone in the room when she was being beaten- which lead to her murder- would hear screams, calling out of the person's name who was assaulting her if this person is known to her, and crying.
'...saw a form with a light garment, I believe.' is an important part of the investigation. It is important to know where the light was coming from, because in the next paragraph he allows himself to be struck from behind- also there was a lamp missing from the room, if we could ask him it would be important to attempt to place the lamp in the room before he is eventually knocked unconscious or was the form lit from the hallway. It is thought that the lamp was used to beat her.
At the same time grappling with something or someone. During this short period I could hear loud moans or groaning sounds and noises. I was struck down. It seems like I was hit from behind somehow but had I grappled this individual from in front or generally in front of me. I was apparently knocked out. The next thing I know I was gathering my senses while coming to a sitting position next to the bed, my feet toward the hallway.
Someone would know if they were 'grappling with an inanimate object or a person.
In the previous paragraph he says 'a form' and below he switched back and forth again- even using the more personal 'he' pronoun. 'Something or someone' is odd in a statement- someone who fought with another would not say 'something.'
Then he says, 'During this short period I could hear loud moans or groaning sounds and noises'- once again logically this is not adding completely up. If someone is struggling with another for a short time would you be able to hear both loud moans or groaning sounds- groaning sounds are generally not "short" and not as loud as moans.
The way he describes his wife's sounds is how she would sound had she been badly beaten and would more likely be noticed in a longer period of time.
He is also not clear if it is his wife or someone that he is struggling with is making the noise- while we can assume that it is his wife, why does he not state that- by not clearly stating this is distancing language.
It is unclear where he is being attacked from, he clearly stated the position he watched television in, but here it is not adding up- he is entering the room so we would assume he would be heading towards the 'form' but at some point turns or twists and allows himself to be hit from the back?!?!
'...apparently knocked out' is troubling. You either are knocked out or not, if you did not see the person leave, you were knocked out. If he is lying, why would he not just say he struggled and he got away as he gave chase to the attacker- Because if he is lying he is attempting to account for time passing. Remember when people are giving false statements they are having to juggle the truth (and what they don't want to tell us) and the made up story. It is hard to do this completely, especially if you are 'speeding up' or 'slowing down' time.
To Be Continued...◦
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Making Movies and Acting
One of the best ways to learn and understand about gestures is to watch TV without the sound. Take a look at the following pictures taken yesterday of a movie being filmed.
Jul 22 2009
Jennifer Lopez films scenes for The Back-Up Plan on a bench outside Central Park in NYC. Pictured: Jennifer Lopez Picture by: Janet Mayer / Splash News
Concern about something transpiring...when someone raises their hands it is in preparation for: eye/mouth blocking or a pacifying touch such as cradling or hugging the face with both hands.
Surprise
Compassion and concern with her hand over her heart; her eyes are puzzlement or strong empathy (as if she is feeling physical pain inside as a result of seeing someone else hurt).
Also of note, notice the large rings on both of her hands, this is by design to draw more attention to her hands and gestures.◦
Science in Action:Facial Expressions
With Dr. David Matsumoto formerly from the University of San Francisco, and at one time worked with The Ekman Group. One of the founding fathers of microexpressions.
He speaks about his continued irrefutable evidence that expressions are universal in nature with his study of sighted and blind athletes.◦
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