The police, according to Stidham, misinterpreted the initial autopsy report, leading them to believe the killings were part of a satanic ritual. Additionally, they interrogated an eight – year – old boy named Aaron who claimed to have witnessed the murders committed by Spanish – speaking satanists. Stidham argued that interrogating children with leading questions can lead to false and unrealistic answers, yet the police overlooked this in their investigation.
The case took a turn when Misskelley Jr, then 17 years old, was coerced into confessing to the killings during a 12 – hour interrogation without a guardian or legal representative present. His low IQ made him unable to understand the case, and according to Judge Dan, he was coerced into confessing to a crime he didn’t commit. The other two teens were also coerced into confessions.