Fight For The Truth

Erin Moriarty On The Latest Chapter In The Marty Tankleff Case

(CBS)  Private Detective Jay Salpeter began working on Marty’s case seven years ago. "And you can't leave a case like this. And you become addicted to a case like this," he says.

Salpeter's addiction would eventually lead to startling new clues that would turn the case around.

From the moment Marty was arrested, his cousin and guardian, Ron Falbee never believed Marty murdered his parents. And Ron was not the only family member in Marty's corner: ever since the 1988 murders, a large number of relatives have been fighting to free Marty.

The relatives say they were never questioned by police, but lead detective James McCready claims they're lying.

"Did you ask to speak to them and they said no?" Moriarty asks.

"No," McCready says. "I never asked directly to speak to them. I didn't have to. What were they going to add to my case?"

But they say they had plenty to add. For one thing, they knew Marty. And while police say Marty killed his parents to get money, his family disagrees. "He wasn't supposed to get any money till he was 25 years old," one of his relatives points out.

McCready says he wasn't aware of that.

"Jim, isn't it important to talk to everybody before you settle on someone when you know their entire life …could be ruined by this?" Moriarty asks McCready.

"No, no. no. Under the circumstances in this case, everything we needed to know we pretty much knew in the first day," the detective argues.

With his suspect behind bars, McCready thought he had the whole case all wrapped up in a day. But a week later, with Marty's father Seymour lingering in a coma, the case took an unexpected turn. Seymour's business partner, the same man Marty had told the police to investigate, suddenly disappeared.

Marty thought the business partner would then become a main suspect, but, as a police report shows, McCready still refused to consider Steuerman a suspect.

"I'm reading from a missing persons report and it says, 'Homicide has no reason to believe that Steuerman's absence is connected to the murder...' Why not?" Moriarty asks.

"Because he had nothing to do with that murder," McCready says.

Asked if the disappearance didn't make his case harder, McCready says, "Not that it made it harder. It just added more questions."

Two weeks later, the detectives found Steuerman in Long Beach, Calif., where he was living under an alias. Steuerman returned home, claiming his personal and financial problems caused him to flee. "I had too many problems and its just 20 years of building up, that’s all" he explained. "So I staged my death."

Asked if it is possible Steuerman had hired someone, McCready says, "Nope, he couldn't. That man couldn't hurt a fly."

One month after the Tankleffs were attacked, Seymour died, without ever regaining consciousness. Marty was then charged with two murders, and a year and a half later, went on trial.

"I think every emotion ran through me, scared, fearful, but I was also hopeful," Marty remembers. "Because I knew I was innocent. And I always believed that innocent men don't get found guilty."

By far, the most damaging evidence against Marty was his confession, but there was little physical evidence to back it up. None of Marty’s hair, nor blood, was found on his parents. His mother Arlene had clearly fought her attacker, yet Marty had no cuts or bruises - only some swelling in his eyes from a nose job he got for his 17th birthday.

The jurors also heard from Steuerman, who denied having anything to do with the crime. "I would never do anything like that," he said.

He admitted he owed Seymour hundreds of thousands of dollars. What's more, Seymour was entitled to part of all of Steuerman's future ventures.

Under intense questioning, Steuerman snapped. "Marty Tankleff sitting over there is accused of this and I am not!" he said on the stand. "The only mistake I made was I was a poor man living like a millionaire!" he added.

By contrast, Marty was composed on the stand - perhaps too composed - as he tried to explain why he would confess to something he didn't do. "They were saying my father said I did this. My father never lied to me," Marty said.

After a week’s deliberation, the jury reached its verdict: guilty. Marty was sentenced to 50 years to life.

[Stoney13]

lo1411,

Let''s see what kind of detective I am! I think "lo" stands for Law Officer, and "1411" is your badge number!

This kid is SOOOOOO innocent! The fact that one of your fellow officers is getting called on to the carpet for this must REALLY get to you! Well, brother that is the wrong way to think!

Because of McCready''s sloppy, heavy-handed, and arrogant behavior, a jury might let a guilty person go! Perhaps a scared kid out there will decide he has nothing to lose and go down shooting and take a fellow officer with him!

One McCready undoes the work of a hundred decent, honest officers! And I know same damned fine men who chose to wear the badge! McCready sullys their name! Think about that before you give your loyalty to an officer who doesn''t deserve it!

[davidj121]

McCready is one stubborn ignorant stupid idiot. Why on Earth would marty tankleff kill his parents. there is no motive whatsoever. yet, there is a shady guy that owes seymour tankleff 500 grand. a 5th grader could put this one together. shouldn''t they teach detectives about motive and how it figures into crime ? what a ******* ! that guy belongs behind bars.

[godsfiddler]

James McCready is nothing more than an a hole con artist, and was probably the one counseling the actual killers.

[godsfiddler]

I wonder if McCready was part of the crime...as well as the three other guys.

[godsfiddler]

Such a shame that all three guys are free men. McCready needs to be in prison for his ***.

[pfd572]

lo1411 and lovetoread1: you might want to take the time to learn about the volumes of false and coerced confessions; the hundreds of innocent people who have been released after DNA evidence analyzed (an example of how the courts and law enforcement CAN err); the forensic evidence that was suppressed that almost entirely clears Marty; the State Commission''s investigation into probable misconduct by law enforcement, etc. Its EXTREMELY naive to think that police and the courts never make a mistake, are alway honest and never have an agenda at others expense. I am relieved that, at least in this case, the system eventually, but way too long after the fact, got it right. (the only motive the police and prosecution could come up with was money he would inherit; if they had checked they would have found out he wouldn''t have access to any inheritance, regardless of his parents alive or dead, until he was 25, eight years after their murder - this is no motive)

[tboetj7]

It is an outrage that Jerry Steuerman is a free man. He gets to retire in Florida. Shouldnt he at least be on trial?

[wr_rodgers]

Not only was the detective wrong in how he pursued this case, but so was the jury. The detective should be immediately suspended and then brought to trail. If found guilty he should be required to spend at least 17 years in prison. How in the world can our justice system move so slowly - 17 years ago they were investigating the detectives handling of this case and still today no ruling has come forth. This detective is most likely continuing to send innocent people to prison because he lies, hides the facts and makes every case into what he wants it to be? The jury that served on that case should feel ashamed for being so hoodwinked.

[pfd572]

lo1401

Learn before you speak. There a numerous, documented, authorized and proven examples of people confessing to crimes they didn''t commit. Extended hours of intense, threatening questioning by police, sleep depredation, threats, mind games, lack of food, fear and intimidation by/of authority,etc. all contribute to conditions where people have confessed. Especially younger people. Marty NEVER signed a confession, he said if he did it he must have been having a blackout because he didn''t remember, etc., and IMMEDIATELY rescinded his confession. There was absolutely no evidence other than his physical presence in the house, his own home, and his demeanor. People react to horror in different ways, shock sets in and shock of this nature causes the body/mind to shut down as a way of self-preservation. You need to know of which you speak or you do more harm.

[lovetoread1]

Did Erin actually read the police report? Marty has received a get out of jail free card for murdering his parents.

[jojosmom1]

lo1411 ....Apparently you have no clue what your mind can believe under stressful circumstances. If you are told something over and over, you can start to believe it. Why don''t you keep an open mind and think about how they interrogated him. He is not the first person to ''confess'' to a crime he did not commit! How anyone can watch that and believe with out a doubt that he was guilty, astounds me. Is that not a juror''s job? Without a doubt? Seems to me there was plenty to doubt here.

[jojosmom1]

lo1411 ....Apparently you have no clue what your mind can believe under stressful circumstances. If you are told something over and over, you can start to believe it. Why don''t you keep an open mind and think about how they interrogated him. He is not the first person to ''confess'' to a crime he did not commit! How anyone can watch that and believe with out a doubt that he was guilty, astounds me. Is that not a juror''s job? Without a doubt? Seems to me there was plenty to doubt here.

[davidj121]

I am sick after watching this show. McCready is one of the dumbest , most stubborn idiots I have ever seen. I don''t understand how a jury could have convicted this kid when there was no physical evidence and he had no motive. Why on Earth would he have done that ? That police officer''s refusal to investigate Steurmann is shameful. A young man lost 18 years of his life and he can never get that back.

[animemom-2009]

I believe this is such an injustice. These law enforcement officers and elected officials have sworn to protect and serve. Why did they not protect this 17 year old boy who had apparently just been traumatized by the loss of his two parents? Instead they bombarded him in the interrogation room without an attorney or another family member present on his behalf. Later, when other witnesses and evidence came forward, instead of keeping an open mind they turned a blind eye. Also, if detective McCready is "better than the polygraph machine" why isn''t he sought out by every law enforcement agency in the country? I think detective McCready should take a polygraph examination administered and read by Mr. Jack Trimarco. After all, detective McCready has admitted to lying to 17 year old Marty Tankleff during his interrogation to extract a confession out of him and detective McCready hides behind the United States Supreme Court to justify his lying. I wish Marty and his family all the luck in the world. With people like this protecting and serving our great nation they will need it!

[staylor31549]

I was interested in watching the show because of the injustice that has been done to another teenager. I wanted to share that information:

Learn about 15-year-old Latino honor student named Efren Paredes, Jr. who was wrongly convicted in 1989 for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit; a crime to which others plead guilty. Efren had no criminal record previous to his arrest for this crime.

One of the individuals who pled guilty to the case for which Efren was arrested owned the murder weapon, was found in possession of the weapon after the crime occurred, owned the car used in the commission of the crime, and was found in possession of money from the crime. His brother also admitted to being at the crime scene. All admittedly guilty parties to committing the crime have served their prison sentences for this crime and been released.

The case against Efren was entirely circumstantial. There was no physical evidence linking Efren to the crime, no eyewitnesses to the crime, and Efren was home when the crime occurred. He was arrested, tried and convicted in a three month period and was subsequently sentenced to three life sentences. Efren is now 33-years-old.

Please visit www.4Efren.com to learn more about this injustice and egregious human rights violation.

[staylor31549]

I was interested in watching the show because of the injustice that has been done to another teenager. I wanted to share that information:

Learn about 15-year-old Latino honor student named Efren Paredes, Jr. who was wrongly convicted in 1989 for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit; a crime to which others plead guilty. Efren had no criminal record previous to his arrest for this crime.

One of the individuals who pled guilty to the case for which Efren was arrested owned the murder weapon, was found in possession of the weapon after the crime occurred, owned the car used in the commission of the crime, and was found in possession of money from the crime. His brother also admitted to being at the crime scene. All admittedly guilty parties to committing the crime have served their prison sentences for this crime and been released.

The case against Efren was entirely circumstantial. There was no physical evidence linking Efren to the crime, no eyewitnesses to the crime, and Efren was home when the crime occurred. He was arrested, tried and convicted in a three month period and was subsequently sentenced to three life sentences. Efren is now 33-years-old.

Please visit www.4Efren.com to learn more about this injustice and egregious human rights violation.

[staylor31549]

I was interested in watching the show because of the injustice that has been done to another teenager. I wanted to share that information:

Learn about 15-year-old Latino honor student named Efren Paredes, Jr. who was wrongly convicted in 1989 for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit; a crime to which others plead guilty. Efren had no criminal record previous to his arrest for this crime.

One of the individuals who pled guilty to the case for which Efren was arrested owned the murder weapon, was found in possession of the weapon after the crime occurred, owned the car used in the commission of the crime, and was found in possession of money from the crime. His brother also admitted to being at the crime scene. All admittedly guilty parties to committing the crime have served their prison sentences for this crime and been released.

The case against Efren was entirely circumstantial. There was no physical evidence linking Efren to the crime, no eyewitnesses to the crime, and Efren was home when the crime occurred. He was arrested, tried and convicted in a three month period and was subsequently sentenced to three life sentences. Efren is now 33-years-old.

Please visit www.4Efren.com to learn more about this injustice and egregious human rights violation.

[staylor31549]

I was interested in watching the show because of the injustice that has been done to another teenager. I wanted to share that information:

Learn about 15-year-old Latino honor student named Efren Paredes, Jr. who was wrongly convicted in 1989 for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit; a crime to which others plead guilty. Efren had no criminal record previous to his arrest for this crime.

One of the individuals who pled guilty to the case for which Efren was arrested owned the murder weapon, was found in possession of the weapon after the crime occurred, owned the car used in the commission of the crime, and was found in possession of money from the crime. His brother also admitted to being at the crime scene. All admittedly guilty parties to committing the crime have served their prison sentences for this crime and been released.

The case against Efren was entirely circumstantial. There was no physical evidence linking Efren to the crime, no eyewitnesses to the crime, and Efren was home when the crime occurred. He was arrested, tried and convicted in a three month period and was subsequently sentenced to three life sentences. Efren is now 33-years-old.

Please visit www.4Efren.com to learn more about this injustice and egregious human rights violation.

[staylor31549]

I was interested in watching the show because of the injustice that has been done to another teenager. I wanted to share that information:

Learn about 15-year-old Latino honor student named Efren Paredes, Jr. who was wrongly convicted in 1989 for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit; a crime to which others plead guilty. Efren had no criminal record previous to his arrest for this crime.

One of the individuals who pled guilty to the case for which Efren was arrested owned the murder weapon, was found in possession of the weapon after the crime occurred, owned the car used in the commission of the crime, and was found in possession of money from the crime. His brother also admitted to being at the crime scene. All admittedly guilty parties to committing the crime have served their prison sentences for this crime and been released.

The case against Efren was entirely circumstantial. There was no physical evidence linking Efren to the crime, no eyewitnesses to the crime, and Efren was home when the crime occurred. He was arrested, tried and convicted in a three month period and was subsequently sentenced to three life sentences. Efren is now 33-years-old.

Please visit www.4Efren.com to learn more about this injustice and egregious human rights violation.

[staylor31549]

I was interested in watching the show because of the injustice that has been done to another teenager. I wanted to share that information:

Learn about 15-year-old Latino honor student named Efren Paredes, Jr. who was wrongly convicted in 1989 for a murder and armed robbery he did not commit; a crime to which others plead guilty. Efren had no criminal record previous to his arrest for this crime.

One of the individuals who pled guilty to the case for which Efren was arrested owned the murder weapon, was found in possession of the weapon after the crime occurred, owned the car used in the commission of the crime, and was found in possession of money from the crime. His brother also admitted to being at the crime scene. All admittedly guilty parties to committing the crime have served their prison sentences for this crime and been released.

The case against Efren was entirely circumstantial. There was no physical evidence linking Efren to the crime, no eyewitnesses to the crime, and Efren was home when the crime occurred. He was arrested, tried and convicted in a three month period and was subsequently sentenced to three life sentences. Efren is now 33-years-old.

Please visit www.4Efren.com to learn more about this injustice and egregious human rights violation.