The Knife (2024) Movie Script
1
When I was a kid,
my grandma used to say,
"Life presents choices...
...and choices lead
to consequences."
She'd say, "The choices we make
determine our future."
"And once you make that choice,
"you got to accept
what comes with it,
whether you like it or not."
-Busted. -Ryley was
having trouble sleeping.
-Kendra had a nightmare...
-Shh. Keep your voice down.
Hey. Turn it off.
-Keep it off.
-Okay.
Come on, it's time for bed.
Let's go.
What?
-You smell like beer.
-Beer?
-No, I don't. I don't.
-Dad.
-I don't.
-Yes, you do.
Hey, I don't. Stop it.
-Yeah, you do.
-Stop it.
Don't tell Mom, okay?
How's my room coming?
Uh, good.
Just give me
a couple more days, okay?
Kendra?
Okay.
Good night, Daddy.
Good night, baby.
Smooth.
Sorry.
You ain't getting any,
just so you know.
What?
I didn't even say anything.
-I just laid down.
-Mm-hmm.
The old "Oops, I dropped
my phone, but while you're up,
-I guess we could..."
-Oh, please, woman.
-Don't flatter yourself.
-No?
No. Good night.
Come on.
You know you want it.
Come on, Chris.
Hmm?
-I could do better.
-Really?
-Without a doubt.
-In this neighborhood?
Wait, what's that
supposed to mean?
It's a great neighborhood.
Yeah, ripe with your fair share
of drug dealers, pimps,
-prostitutes, male and female.
-Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Lest I remind you,
we're paying less per month
to own this house than we were
when we were renting
over on Dearborn.
And that includes
the renovation costs,
-so say what you want.
-Oh, God.
I love it when you talk
renovation finance with me.
Ooh.
Tell me more.
Tell me about the...
subprime second mortgage.
What is happening right now?
What are you doing?
If you want it,
come and get it
-But you better da-da-da.
-Oh, my God. What?
You don't even know
the words, you dork.
-Get out of here. Oh, my God.
-How dare you.
I am over here
throwing myself at you...
Alex, shh, shh.
-But you call me a dork?
-Okay, okay.
Okay, okay, okay. Okay.
Go again. I'm sorry.
Go again.
Okay.
-Mm, mm.
-Mm.
Mm-hmm.
-Mm.
-Mm-hmm.
Come on. Come on.
Come on, baby.
Oh.
Well...
Maybe your phone
really did just...
fall on accident.
Well, now that we're awake,
I guess we could...
I knew it.
But seriously...
-Baby.
-Hmm?
I am way too tired
to actually have sex.
-Yeah, me, too.
-Okay, good.
Hey.
We'll be back, you guys.
We promise.
When we get a little more...
-Uh, energy.
-Energy.
-Yes.
-Get some more energy. Yeah.
We shall return to
our previously scheduled
programming.
Yes.
My back is killing me.
Oh, my God.
It's almost 1:00, babe.
What were you doing?
Finished the backsplash.
You did?
I did.
Oh, that's incredible.
You animal.
But you got to call in sick
tomorrow.
There's no way you're
getting up in three hours.
-Mm-mm. Mm-mm. I can't.
-Babe, you got to sleep.
I can't.
I can't take any time off.
I'm paid by the hour.
You know that.
What time's your interview?
-10:00.
-10:00?
That's good.
Mm. You'll be great.
God.
I can't believe
we're really pulling this off.
Yeah.
Seven weeks ago,
that ceiling was a disaster.
Yeah.
Now you just got to finish
Kendra's room.
She's gonna kill me.
Okay.
Now I'm going to bed.
-I love you.
-Love you.
Your light.
-Right.
-Yeah.
Good night.
Hello?
Ma'am?
Ma'am, this is
1220 McCullough Street.
You've entered the wrong home.
Ma'am?
You need to leave, okay?
You need help?
Ma'am.
I can help you.
Okay?
It's okay.
It's okay.
Chris?
Chris?
Chris.
Chris.
She broke in.
I'm calling the cops.
-Wait, what-what happened?
-I just told you she broke in.
I came, and she was standing
right there. Fuck.
-911. What's your
emergency? -Mom?
We need an ambulance right away
to McCullough and Simpson.
-Somebody just broke into
my house. -Oh, my God, Mom.
-What happened? Mom!
-Please.
-Kendra, wait.
-I don't know, but she's
on the ground bleeding
to death, ma'am. Please hurry.
-Is she dead?
-Don't touch her.
Okay, how did she
get on the ground, sir?
I don't know,
I don't know, I don't...
We just need a fucking
ambulance! Listen to me!
There's a woman dying
on my kitchen floor!
Mom, is she dead?
Ryley, I swear to God!
What's your address, sir?
Uh, uh, 1220 McCullough Street.
Okay, an ambulance
and deputies are on the way.
Is there anyone else
in the home with...
I-I heard a noise...
from our room.
I got up. I came in here.
I turned on the light.
Oh, wait.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
I heard a noise.
I heard a noise. I came in.
I went...
I went to the door.
I went to the door.
I went to the...
I went to the door.
-I went to the door. I went
to the door. -Okay. Okay.
I went to the door.
It's okay, baby.
Whatever it is,
it was self-defense.
Okay?
Yeah. Yeah.
Is that her knife?
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah. Yeah.
Daddy?
Are you gonna be in trouble?
Stupid...
Oh...
Mom, I don't think
you should be touching her.
No, no, no, no, no,
Alex, what are you doing?
-She's still breathing.
-Don't touch her.
Don't do anything.
Just leave her alone.
Where the fuck
is the ambulance?
-Girls, go to your room.
-No.
We wait.
We wait.
Kendra, put your sister down
and come right back.
Okay.
-I panicked.
-Don't say that.
I did. I did.
But she hit you first,
right, Daddy?
That's right, baby.
Sweetie, go grab me
some pajama pants, okay?
-Okay.
-Okay.
We got to make sure we know
exactly what we're saying
before we start talking
to the police.
They'll look at us,
and they'll look at her,
and they'll come
to their own conclusions.
And they'll separate us and...
ask us questions.
Including the girls.
Right. Okay.
Uh...
I just... I can't remember.
Anything?
No.
It's okay.
It's just shock, baby.
It's normal.
We only have a few minutes,
okay, so let's talk it through,
see if anything comes back.
Okay?
Uh, show me the steps, okay?
All right, I-I came in.
I heard a noise. I came in.
The door.
The door was open.
I went to the door.
I went to the door.
Okay.
Keep going.
You heard a noise.
Look at me.
You heard a noise.
You came in.
The door was open.
There was a woman
in the kitchen.
She attacked you.
You tried to defend
yourself, but...
...you didn't touch her
or do anything.
You just put your hands up
to defend yourself.
And then she fell
and hit her head.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She fell, and she hit her head.
Yeah.
Mommy, I don't want to talk
to the police.
It's okay, baby.
Everything's gonna be fine,
okay?
Hey. Thank you.
Okay, I found it.
Look.
"You may use deadly force
if such force is necessary
"to prevent death
or great bodily harm
to yourself
or to another individual."
So it's like Mom said.
You were defending yourself,
so it's fine.
All we have to do
is tell the truth.
Right?
Right.
But it could get
a little complicated.
Okay. It's gonna be fine.
Everything's gonna be fine,
okay?
All right?
Is it the police?
Uh, it's first response.
Could be EMor the fire department.
I'm not sure.
I hope it's the ambulance.
Everything will be fine.
Everybody, relax, okay?
Just relax.
The truth, guys.
All we have to do
is tell the truth.
We'll be fine.
-Fuck.
-Police!
On the premises now. Stand by.
Is this your home, sir?
Yes, sir.
Are any of you armed?
-Anybody injured?
-No.
Where's the intruder?
She's right there
in the kitchen.
Got it.
Was she carrying a weapon?
Uh, yes.
How's it looking?
Victim is not breathing.
No pulse.
Starting CPR.
Confirming victim is not
breathing and has no pulse.
Starting CPR.
Need an ambulance right away.
Ten-four.
Ambulance is en route.
Should be there any minute.
Copy that.
-Is there anyone else here?
-Uh, no. It's just us.
And my daughter's asleep
in the back room.
Intruder was alone?
Yes, as far as I know.
-Clear the house.
-Mm-hmm.
Yeah, copy that. We made entry.
We're, uh, going room to room.
Will advise.
Central, get the First Precinct
squad on the air.
All clear.
Copy.
Confirming no one else
on the premises.
Ten-four.
Is squad on the air?
Yeah, Carlsen's on the air.
Detective, I need you
to come over to my location.
1220 McCullough Street.
Well, give me a couple minutes.
Listen, I want everybody
to step outside of the house
till we know what
we've got here, all right?
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
-Kitchen.
-Got it.
I need to get Ashley.
Do not move.
Approaching
McCullough Street now.
Ten-four.
That was fast.
Just finished a job
a couple blocks from here.
How we doing?
Another B and E.
Victim is female.
Unconscious on the floor,
armed with a knife.
Possible homicide.
Premises secure.
Family unarmed.
Yet to question them.
Was waiting for you.
I set up the whole crime scene.
Right, let's keep it that way
till we see what
the hospital has to say.
Listen, when you get there,
let us know right away
if she's likely or not, okay?
-Right away.
-You got it.
And keep an eye out for
any bruises that start to form.
-Take pictures.
-Yes, ma'am.
So, what do you think?
Looks like you got
a half a dozen bank robbers
tied up in a corner over there.
Yeah.
Something doesn't feel right.
I sensed it when I walked in.
They were real nervous.
One of them probably
just killed somebody.
I don't know.
I'll figure it out.
You always do.
Hello.
My name is
Detective Frances Carlsen,
and I'm gonna need to speak
to each of you individually
about what happened here
tonight.
It shouldn't take very long,
and I'll appreciate
your patience and cooperation
in this matter.
Okay?
It's okay. You can talk.
Well, we were just
hoping you weren't
gonna have to separate
the girls,
'cause they're a little scared.
What's your name?
-Ryley.
-Mm-hmm.
And what's your name?
-Kendra.
-All right.
Ryley and Kendra.
Do you know why
we separate people
when we ask them questions?
Not really.
Oh, it's because
it gives us a chance
to see if everybody's
telling us the truth.
You see, if we separate you
and all your stories match up
without hearing
the other person's story,
well, then we pretty much know
we got the truth.
And that's what tonight's
all about-- getting that truth.
Okay?
So, how would you feel about
being put in one of your rooms
with one of my officers,
wait for me to come
and ask you some questions?
That be okay with you guys?
Ah, no?
That's what I'm talking about.
It's much better
if you answer for yourself
without checking
on someone else for help.
There are
no wrong answers here,
as long as it's the truth.
Are you okay with my plan?
Are you gonna hurt my dad?
Oh, no. It's okay, honey.
No one's gonna hurt Daddy.
-Come on, guys.
-It's okay. He'll be fine.
-It's all right.
-You can go with the officer.
There we go.
Come with these guys.
-They're nice guys.
-It's okay. It's okay.
I'll be right back.
Padilla,
keep an eye on 'em, please.
Here we go. All right.
Padilla.
The fuck were you thinking?
Huh?
-I don't know.
-You don't know.
That's fucking great, Alex.
That's great.
Shit.
Hey.
You can't remember
what happens to you
when someone's
breaking into our home?
You can't remember
how that person ends up
on the ground
with a knife a foot away?
You're a Black man
in America, Chris.
Protecting you--
that's what I was doing.
Okay, ready?
Want to step this way, ma'am?
Nice house.
I never could have afforded
a place like this at your age.
Here you go.
Oh, don't worry about it.
It's standard.
We record everything.
If you don't want to talk
or you want to...
call an attorney, it's okay.
I personally think we can
take care of this right here
without having to go
to the station and make
a whole big scary thing
for you guys.
But I do have to record it.
Okay?
Mm. Uh, it's fine.
Honestly, we just want
to put this behind us
as quickly as possible.
Thank you.
I don't think
I ever got your name.
-Alexandra.
-Alexandra.
And your husband?
Chris.
Uh, Christian.
Great.
So, Alexandra, walk me through
what happened here tonight.
Well, um...
I... I heard a scream
from the kitchen.
I came out running.
And, uh, when I got there,
we all saw Chris all upset
and some woman on the floor
holding a knife,
and we called the police.
And that's it?
Yeah.
Okay. Well, I might ask you
to step that out for me a bit,
but I have
a few questions first.
When you arrived, you said,
"We all saw Chris" there.
Did the girls get there
before you got there?
Um...
I don't know exactly
who got there when.
I mean, I was there first,
uh, but...
It was all around
the same time, I think.
You... We all heard a noise
and-and came running,
and it was...
it was pretty chaotic,
um, so I don't know
who exactly got there when,
but-but like I said,
it was around the same time,
more or less,
as far as I can remember.
All right, well,
we might revisit that as well.
And, uh, you mentioned that
"we called the police,"
but it was your husband
who called, correct?
Uh, yes.
Okay. And did you come
in contact with the victim?
The victim?
The intruder. Yes.
Um... uh, well, like I said,
uh, by the time I got there,
she was, uh,
already unconscious, so...
So you didn't have any contact
with her at all?
Um...
I mean, I-I...
I did check to see
if she was breathing.
So you did actually touch her?
I... I-I-I mean, I-I just...
I just ch-checked to see
if she was, uh, alive or not.
Of course.
Where did you touch her?
Uh, I don't exactly remember.
Um, I checked her pulse, um...
Her neck or her wrist?
Uh, uh...
I-I... I think I, um...
I-I-I grabbed her coat
and put my head near her chest
to see if she was,
um, breathing.
Wait, so you grabbed her coat
and put your head
up to her chest?
Uh, it... something like that.
Uh... I...
I don't exactly remember.
Well, you're gonna
want to remember this part.
They take fingerprints.
These details matter.
Uh...
honestly, it was, uh,
just really crazy
and-and just really chaotic,
so...
-I understand.
-I just... I don't remember
exactly, um,
who did what exactly
and when.
Okay.
All right.
I, uh...
I want to talk
about that knife.
Did you recognize it?
Uh, no. No, not really.
Not really?
Um... uh...
I don't understand.
Uh, it looked like
a regular knife.
Uh, w-we have
a few of them, so...
Oh, so it was
one of your knives?
No, no, um...
it looked like
one of the ones we may have.
But you said it looked
like a regular knife.
It did.
Which could mean
it came from anywhere.
Exactly.
Would you like
a glass of water, Alexandra?
No.
Look.
You are being interrogated.
This is currently
a crime scene,
so if what you've told me
is true,
there's nothing to worry about.
You don't need a lawyer.
It'll all be over very quickly,
and everything's gonna be fine.
But if what you've told me
is in any way not true,
it will not be fine.
So... I'll offer you a chance
to tell this story again
from the beginning,
keeping in mind
what I just said.
I know this is a confusing
and difficult moment. I get it.
So if you made any missteps
telling me the first time,
it's okay.
Not a problem. We can fix it.
But the truth...
Mm-hmm.
The truth here is everything.
You understand me?
Hey, want a smoke?
-Uh, no, thank you.
-Okay.
You want a jacket or something?
-No.
-Hmm?
I'm good.
Let me know.
It's cold out here, man.
So, what do you do
for a living?
I'm in construction.
Wife?
Uh, she's a teacher.
-Second grade.
-Mm.
What's with the face?
Uh, she's got an interview
in the morning, so...
Mm. Fingers crossed.
Hey, thanks.
So, construction.
Uh, yeah.
That's got to be tough.
Long hours,
on your feet all day.
What do you do for the pain?
Uh, just fight through,
I guess.
I hear you there.
Had back surgery a while ago.
Couldn't pick up my kid.
On my own.
Got to get up for work
in the morning.
Just still
fighting through. Mm.
I take medication, too.
Prescription.
So...
Tell me what happened
here tonight.
Uh, well, I was asleep in bed,
my wife and I,
and, um, I heard a noise.
I came into the kitchen,
and that woman
was standing there.
Hmm.
And, uh...
Then what?
-Christian?
-I'm sorry.
Uh, I...
I asked her to leave,
and she wouldn't.
And about how far apart
were the two of you standing
at this point?
Uh, I don't know--
ten, 12 feet.
So you were talking for a while
before anything happened?
Well, not for a while.
I just asked her to leave,
but, you know,
she wouldn't, and, um,
so I remember
I moved closer to her.
Uh, but I wasn't threatening
or anything.
-I just...
-It's okay. Keep going.
Um, yeah,
then she just sort of...
...jumped out at me.
When you say "jumped out"...
She attacked me.
With the knife?
-Uh, yeah.
-What...
Did you get cut at all?
Uh, n-no, I don't...
I don't think so.
No. No.
But it all happened so fast,
and, um,
you know, I didn't really
see much, and then...
then when she came at me,
I just put my hands up,
and-and, uh, you know,
she was out of it
-at that point, so...
-Hmm.
Drugs, maybe?
No, I don't...
I don't think so.
Um...
Anyway, like I said,
it happened so fast,
and next thing you know,
she's on the ground,
and-and the tile and, uh, uh...
Yeah.
Look, I know you're scared.
But I promise you,
there are laws
that play in your favor here.
I mean, if she was
a real threat,
an intruder coming at you
with a knife and all...
What I'm saying is,
if you went off on her,
we'll see it in the autopsy.
The forensics-- we'll see it.
So it's better to tell me
exactly what happened,
how it happened.
That's what I'm doing.
No, no, not really.
It's kind of vague.
I mean, I'm hearing things
like maybe she came at you
but not really swinging
that knife.
And then maybe
she fell and died?
I didn't say that.
Oh, you want me
to play it back?
-It is cold out here.
-Mm.
Hang tight.
Listen, I just wanted to talk
to both of you.
I'm getting
conflicting stories here,
and I need to get down
to the bottom of it.
Figured it'd save us all
some time.
Okay. What's confusing?
Well, a number of things.
For instance, you say
the victim attacked you,
but there's no signs
of that anywhere.
No cuts, no bruises.
And you say you heard a scream,
saw the victim on the floor,
but you can't remember
who got there when
or what happened next.
And you said you touched her
or checked her pulse,
but you can't say where
or when or how.
Look, I'm just trying
to help you out,
keep you guys from
some potentially serious
consequences.
But I can't help you
unless you give me
a straight story-- both of you.
-Okay?
-We-we told you what we know.
I'm not looking
for what you know.
I'm looking for what happened.
Exactly what happened.
So, I'm gonna try this again,
and I need you to think clearly
and think calmly, okay?
Okay, so...
a woman breaks into your house.
You find her, correct?
Yes.
And she has a weapon
when you see her-- a knife--
and she attacks you, correct?
Yes.
Uh, hang on.
Yes, she did.
And did you have
anything with you?
-Were you armed at all?
-No, I-I was not.
There's no reason
someone like this
would break into your house,
correct?
What do you mean?
Well, is there any reason
that a person...
Okay, but how is that relevant?
It's all relevant.
When you've been
in my line of work
as long as I have,
it's all relevant.
But what are you implying?
I'm not implying anything.
I'm simply asking a question.
This is a breaking
and entering case.
And in this neighborhood,
that usually happens
for one of two reasons:
the person knows
of something specific
in the house that they want
or they're just stopping by
to say hi.
And it's rarely
the latter, so...
-I'm gonna ask again...
-No.
We did not invite a criminal
into our home.
Okay.
Okay. All right.
Uh, I'm gonna take it back
to the knife for a second.
You said you had a number of
knives that look similar to...
I did not.
But initially,
you assumed it was
-one of yours, correct?
-No. No, ma'am, I-I did not.
W-Wait a minute. Don't accuse
my wife of assuming anything.
Either she said it
or she didn't.
You don't get to determine
what she meant.
You're right.
And stop calling her
"the victim."
She's not the victim here.
She broke into our home.
She frightened our family,
so she's not the victim.
Okay.
All right, look.
It's getting late, and I'm just
gonna be straight with you.
In a moment, I'm gonna
have to go into your house,
and I am gonna take statements
from both of your daughters,
and I will very quickly
get to the bottom
of what happened here tonight--
all of it.
-Now, you have a choice.
-Excuse me, Detective.
Baby's crying.
Detective Frances Carlsen.
Questioning Ryley, a minor.
Mother is present.
-Thank you.
-No problem.
Hey, Ryley.
Uh, what you doing?
-Just coloring.
-Yeah?
You must be pretty tired,
I bet.
No. I always stay up this late.
Oh?
Is everything okay now?
Almost.
I just have to ask
a few more questions,
and then we'll be all done.
Ryley, do you know
what happened here tonight?
Yeah.
A lady broke into our house
and tried to hurt my dad.
Anything else?
Hmm?
Do you remember seeing
your dad tonight at all?
I mean,
before the lady broke in.
Yeah. He said good night to us.
You notice anything different
about him at the time?
Hmm?
Seemed pretty normal?
Yeah, but he smelled.
Like what?
Beer.
Sometimes he drinks beer
even though
he's not supposed to.
Not supposed to?
My mom doesn't let him drink
because she says
"he's not himself"
when he drinks alcohol drinks.
Hmm.
Yeah, I can understand that.
You remember anything else?
Hmm?
What about when the lady
broke into your house?
Did your dad say what happened?
Uh-huh. He panicked.
What's that?
He said he panicked.
You know, Ryley, you're
the one person in this house
who doesn't seem nervous.
Oh... It's okay.
Um, here.
Here, I'll help you draw.
Yeah.
It's okay. It's all right.
You know, your dad
was really smart
to call us when he did.
You know that, right?
Hmm?
Can I talk to my mommy?
Go to sleep
Go to sleep
Go to sleep, little baby.
Sorry.
Ryley's asking for you.
Is everything okay?
Oh, she'll be fine.
Go to sleep
Little girl, go to sleep.
I'm gonna talk to Kendra now.
Where can I find her?
She's in the living room.
-Thank you.
-I'll be right there.
No, it's okay. I got it.
Give me a second.
I should be there.
Give me...
M-Ma'am, I'm... Ma'am.
-Mommy?
-You okay?
Okay, just give me
a second, baby.
-Kendra?
-Kendra, wait.
-Don't say a word.
-Kendra?
Please escort her back
to her bedroom.
Kendra, don't say a word.
-Ma'am. Ma'am, let's go.
-Don't touch me.
-Kendra, just listen to me.
-Ma'am...
Kendra, I need
to ask you some questions,
get your understanding of what
happened here tonight, okay?
-Please just-just wait.
-Ma'am, stop.
No. Kendra,
just don't say anything.
Alexandra, I can either
interview her here now,
like we all agreed,
or we can take her
down to the station
and do this differently, okay?
-No. No.
-Ma'am, stop. Ma'am.
-Please escort her
back to the bedroom. -Let's go.
Do not touch me.
Kendra, just listen to me.
-No, I just said... Excuse me.
-Ma'am, stop. Ma'am.
Kendra, you know
what's happening here, right?
It'll be all right.
Breathe easy.
Look at me, sweetheart.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
Just want to talk to you.
Can I just speak
to my daughter?
I don't understand
why you're trying
to talk to her without me.
She is a minor.
I am her parent.
Wait, sweetie.
Just don't say anything.
Ma'am.
-Ma'am, stop. -Mommy?
-Excuse me.
Hey, sir. Hey.
Hey, get back here. Hey, sir.
-Sir. Hey.
-Hey.
-Incoming. Hey!
-Whoa, whoa!
Okay, okay, okay.
-Keep your hands where
we can see them. -Okay, okay.
-Don't move.
-Okay. Okay.
Okay, okay.
Do not move.
Okay.
-Keep your hands up.
-It's okay.
-Hey. Hey.
-Okay.
Okay. Okay.
-It's okay.
-Okay. Okay.
Okay.
Okay. Okay.
-Stand down.
-Okay.
Okay.
She needs her pump.
She has asthma.
She needs her pump.
-Please. Hurry.
-Please.
Where is it?
In the bathroom.
Go get it.
Okay. Okay.
It'll be all right.
It'll be all right.
Mom.
It's okay. Shh.
Just breathe, Kendra.
Just breathe, okay?
Let it go.
There's a process.
Talk to you for a minute?
Let's be thorough.
It's fine, baby.
You're gonna be okay.
It's been a long night.
I know you guys
have been through a lot.
It's enough. Okay?
My kids are scared.
My wife is scared.
-I understand.
-We don't want to press
any charges on that woman.
We just want it to end, please.
I understand you feel that way,
but unfortunately,
-it doesn't work like that.
-I don't care. I don't care.
-I don't care.
-Someone broke into your home.
Ma'am, with all due respect,
listen.
Listen to me.
I'm asking you to end this
for the sake of my family.
Please.
Please.
A crime was committed.
Oh, my God.
The intruder could potentially
lose her life.
I cannot leave this place
until I finish my process.
Does that make sense?
Listen, I know it was
a scary scene out there,
and I am sorry.
We can give her some time,
get her breath and relax,
get it together...
...but I got to talk to her.
I got to complete my report.
I do that, and I promise
we will be done.
Do you understand?
Hmm?
Brought you a refill.
I just want to say
how sorry I am
about this horrible night.
And I know it all feels
pretty scary.
I probably feel
pretty scary, too,
but I promise I'm not.
I know you guys have been
through a lot tonight.
I just want you to know I'm...
I'm here to help.
Thank you.
You bet.
So, Kendra, I'm supposed
to record your statement,
and I just want to make sure
you're okay with that, hmm?
Detective Carlsen.
Questioning Kendra, minor.
Parents are present.
So...
Kendra, I'm just gonna
start with you
like I started with everyone.
Can you tell me
what you remember from tonight?
What happened earlier?
Yeah.
So, we came into the kitchen
when we heard, like,
a loud noise
or something like that.
And when we got there,
my dad was on the phone
with the police,
and my mom was standing
over the lady.
The lady that broke
into your house?
Okay, so the lady
that broke into your house
is on the floor.
Good.
Do you know how she got there?
Self-defense.
What do you mean?
My dad was defending himself.
She tried to hurt him,
and he defended himself.
Hmm.
And she had a weapon?
Yeah. A knife.
Okay, so let's go back
a little bit.
Your dad is on the phone
with the police,
and your mom is standing
over this lady.
Mm, anything happen
before the police came in?
Kendra, I've been having
a terrible time
trying to find the truth
of what happened here tonight.
And you seem like
the type of person
that can help me get there.
So I'm gonna need
your help, okay?
I'm gonna tell you
what I think happened,
and you just let me know
if I'm on the right track.
Sound good?
Okay.
I think a strange woman
broke into your house,
your dad found her
and he got scared.
Understandably.
But then I think he got mad
because he worked really hard
to get you guys this house--
a nice, safe house.
Someone breaks in,
tries to hurt his family?
And then when he tried
to get her to leave
and she didn't want to,
I think he got really mad.
Hmm?
I think he may have hurt
that woman.
And when you guys saw her
bleeding on the floor,
I think someone realized
how bad it would look
when someone like me
showed up, right?
So your parents
called the police
because they're smart folks.
But I think that...
that knife...
I think that knife
belonged to your dad, maybe.
And I think it had been
in the house the whole time.
And I think that one of you...
one of you thought
it might be a good idea
if you just picked it up
and put it in the woman's hand.
Just to make it look
a little bit better.
And if you tell me who did it,
you can save your family
a whole lot of trouble.
Probably some jail time.
Kendra.
I think you're really smart
and really, really brave.
You just tell me who did it,
it'll all be over.
We'll leave.
It'll all go back to normal.
The truth is I pretty much
already know who did it.
I just need you
to confirm it for me.
I know it was your mom
who did it.
It wasn't her.
If it wasn't her, who was it?
Long night.
The name Mary Duvall-Thompson
sound familiar to you?
Mary Duvall-Th...
Mary Duvall-Thom...
-No.
-No.
That's the name of the lady
who broke into your home.
Thankfully,
she's gonna be all right.
Thank God.
Yeah, looks like she was just
knocked unconscious,
had some bleeding.
Nothing to cause
any major issues.
In fact,
Mary is alert and active.
It's funny how
that happens sometimes.
Hmm.
What'd she say?
-What'd she say?
-Well, yeah.
Did she give a reason
why she broke into our home?
No, we haven't
questioned her yet,
but apparently,
she lives in the neighborhood.
There's been a lot of drug
dealing around here lately,
you know, people trying
to make an extra buck.
And, uh, every now and then,
you get a user showing up
in someone's house
looking for
whatever they can find.
But why us?
Don't know.
But we'll get
to the bottom of it.
You know,
just out of curiosity,
how much did you have
to drink tonight?
He doesn't drink.
Christian?
Baby, tell her.
Christian?
-Baby.
-Um, I...
You have a lot of trouble
sleeping at night?
-Do I...
-I noticed a couple
of unmarked medicine vials
in the bathroom.
Yeah, those are pain pills.
He has a bad back.
Xanax, OxyContin?
Controlled substances.
It's for pain.
Mm, you take
those two together,
you get a lot of confusion.
Start to forget things,
stumble here and there.
You add alcohol
to the equation,
-you're really in trouble.
-Yeah, I-I know.
Prescription, right?
Right.
Look, we'll take care
of the intruder.
She'll pay for what she did--
you have my word.
We're just checking
on one other thing,
and then we'll be
out of your hair.
Oh, here we go.
Give me a second?
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
-What aren't you telling me?
-Shh.
-Baby.
-Shh.
All right.
Mm-hmm.
So you giving me the okay?
All right.
Chris, you lied to me,
didn't you?
What?
That is your knife, isn't it?
No.
Yes.
Yes, it is.
I'm sorry, Mommy.
And based on the information
gathered here tonight,
we have reason to believe
that that knife was placed
in the intruder's hand.
No.
Unfortunately,
that is a felony--
tampering with a crime scene.
So, Christian, I'm gonna
have to place you under arrest.
What?
-No. No. -Sir, I need you
to step forward, please.
-Don't. No, wait.
-Daddy.
-Sir. Sir.
-No. No. No.
-I need you to step forward.
-Do not do this. Please.
-Please. No. -Daddy.
-Don't do this.
-Step forward.
-Just-just... just wait.
Just don't take him, please.
Sir, I need you
to step forward.
-Put your hands behind your
back. -Wait, wait, wait, wait.
-No, please.
-Let him go, ma'am.
-Please. No, don't do this.
-Please don't leave. Please.
You have the right
to remain silent.
-Let him go, ma'am.
-Please listen to me.
Anything you say can and will
be held against you
-in a court of law.
-Dad, I'm sorry. Please.
-Please. Oh, God. -You have
the right to an attorney.
-Sir, wait! -If you cannot
afford an attorney...
-Please.
-Mom, Daddy, do something.
-...one will be appointed
for you. -No, no.
-Mom! -No, please. Please.
You're making a mistake.
Do you understand the rights
that have been read to you?
Stop. Stop.
He didn't do anything.
-He didn't do anything wrong.
-Sir, do you understand
the rights
that have been read to you?
-Sir!
-Please.
-No, don't do this.
-Mom, do something. -Please.
Don't take my husband! Please.
Ma'am,
take your children inside.
-Please. -Ma'am, why don't you
take your children inside.
No, don't tell me what to do
with my kids!
I always believed
that the choices we made
belonged to us.
And no matter what,
the decisions
and the consequences
were left for us alone
to deal with.
No regrets.
No going back in time.
I was wrong.
I asked my grandma once,
"What happens when you make
a bad choice?"
She said, "You pray to God,
"ask for forgiveness
"and hope you don't leave
the ones you love
to deal with your mess."
Bernard 33,
496, what's your status?
43. Code four.
Appears scouting party's GOA.
Bernard 33, ten-four.
41 for obstruction of justice,
city of West Towson,
1220 McCullough Street.
Where's 10-45?
Obstruction of justice,
1220 McCullough Street.
RD is reporting two individuals
in a physical 515.
Mary Duvall-Thompson,
53 years of age,
and Christian Pettis,
38 years of age.
RD states male, Black,
in possession
of controlled substances
with intent to sell.
Female, white, possible client,
enters home.
RD states
a physical 515 ensues.
Female's knocked unconscious.
Male then obstructs evidence
at the scene.
Currently en route to station.
Victim in stable condition,
alert, receiving medical.
Ten-four.
45, did you say victim
is possible client?
45, that is correct.
45, do we have
any priors on the address?
We'll check.
Thank you, 45. Ten-four.
Thank you, 42. Ten-four.
Ten-four.
Thank you, 45. Ten...
Correction. Did you say 10-28?
Confirm.
Thank you, 45. Go ahead.
When I was a kid,
my grandma used to say,
"Life presents choices...
...and choices lead
to consequences."
She'd say, "The choices we make
determine our future."
"And once you make that choice,
"you got to accept
what comes with it,
whether you like it or not."
-Busted. -Ryley was
having trouble sleeping.
-Kendra had a nightmare...
-Shh. Keep your voice down.
Hey. Turn it off.
-Keep it off.
-Okay.
Come on, it's time for bed.
Let's go.
What?
-You smell like beer.
-Beer?
-No, I don't. I don't.
-Dad.
-I don't.
-Yes, you do.
Hey, I don't. Stop it.
-Yeah, you do.
-Stop it.
Don't tell Mom, okay?
How's my room coming?
Uh, good.
Just give me
a couple more days, okay?
Kendra?
Okay.
Good night, Daddy.
Good night, baby.
Smooth.
Sorry.
You ain't getting any,
just so you know.
What?
I didn't even say anything.
-I just laid down.
-Mm-hmm.
The old "Oops, I dropped
my phone, but while you're up,
-I guess we could..."
-Oh, please, woman.
-Don't flatter yourself.
-No?
No. Good night.
Come on.
You know you want it.
Come on, Chris.
Hmm?
-I could do better.
-Really?
-Without a doubt.
-In this neighborhood?
Wait, what's that
supposed to mean?
It's a great neighborhood.
Yeah, ripe with your fair share
of drug dealers, pimps,
-prostitutes, male and female.
-Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Lest I remind you,
we're paying less per month
to own this house than we were
when we were renting
over on Dearborn.
And that includes
the renovation costs,
-so say what you want.
-Oh, God.
I love it when you talk
renovation finance with me.
Ooh.
Tell me more.
Tell me about the...
subprime second mortgage.
What is happening right now?
What are you doing?
If you want it,
come and get it
-But you better da-da-da.
-Oh, my God. What?
You don't even know
the words, you dork.
-Get out of here. Oh, my God.
-How dare you.
I am over here
throwing myself at you...
Alex, shh, shh.
-But you call me a dork?
-Okay, okay.
Okay, okay, okay. Okay.
Go again. I'm sorry.
Go again.
Okay.
-Mm, mm.
-Mm.
Mm-hmm.
-Mm.
-Mm-hmm.
Come on. Come on.
Come on, baby.
Oh.
Well...
Maybe your phone
really did just...
fall on accident.
Well, now that we're awake,
I guess we could...
I knew it.
But seriously...
-Baby.
-Hmm?
I am way too tired
to actually have sex.
-Yeah, me, too.
-Okay, good.
Hey.
We'll be back, you guys.
We promise.
When we get a little more...
-Uh, energy.
-Energy.
-Yes.
-Get some more energy. Yeah.
We shall return to
our previously scheduled
programming.
Yes.
My back is killing me.
Oh, my God.
It's almost 1:00, babe.
What were you doing?
Finished the backsplash.
You did?
I did.
Oh, that's incredible.
You animal.
But you got to call in sick
tomorrow.
There's no way you're
getting up in three hours.
-Mm-mm. Mm-mm. I can't.
-Babe, you got to sleep.
I can't.
I can't take any time off.
I'm paid by the hour.
You know that.
What time's your interview?
-10:00.
-10:00?
That's good.
Mm. You'll be great.
God.
I can't believe
we're really pulling this off.
Yeah.
Seven weeks ago,
that ceiling was a disaster.
Yeah.
Now you just got to finish
Kendra's room.
She's gonna kill me.
Okay.
Now I'm going to bed.
-I love you.
-Love you.
Your light.
-Right.
-Yeah.
Good night.
Hello?
Ma'am?
Ma'am, this is
1220 McCullough Street.
You've entered the wrong home.
Ma'am?
You need to leave, okay?
You need help?
Ma'am.
I can help you.
Okay?
It's okay.
It's okay.
Chris?
Chris?
Chris.
Chris.
She broke in.
I'm calling the cops.
-Wait, what-what happened?
-I just told you she broke in.
I came, and she was standing
right there. Fuck.
-911. What's your
emergency? -Mom?
We need an ambulance right away
to McCullough and Simpson.
-Somebody just broke into
my house. -Oh, my God, Mom.
-What happened? Mom!
-Please.
-Kendra, wait.
-I don't know, but she's
on the ground bleeding
to death, ma'am. Please hurry.
-Is she dead?
-Don't touch her.
Okay, how did she
get on the ground, sir?
I don't know,
I don't know, I don't...
We just need a fucking
ambulance! Listen to me!
There's a woman dying
on my kitchen floor!
Mom, is she dead?
Ryley, I swear to God!
What's your address, sir?
Uh, uh, 1220 McCullough Street.
Okay, an ambulance
and deputies are on the way.
Is there anyone else
in the home with...
I-I heard a noise...
from our room.
I got up. I came in here.
I turned on the light.
Oh, wait.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
I heard a noise.
I heard a noise. I came in.
I went...
I went to the door.
I went to the door.
I went to the...
I went to the door.
-I went to the door. I went
to the door. -Okay. Okay.
I went to the door.
It's okay, baby.
Whatever it is,
it was self-defense.
Okay?
Yeah. Yeah.
Is that her knife?
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah. Yeah.
Daddy?
Are you gonna be in trouble?
Stupid...
Oh...
Mom, I don't think
you should be touching her.
No, no, no, no, no,
Alex, what are you doing?
-She's still breathing.
-Don't touch her.
Don't do anything.
Just leave her alone.
Where the fuck
is the ambulance?
-Girls, go to your room.
-No.
We wait.
We wait.
Kendra, put your sister down
and come right back.
Okay.
-I panicked.
-Don't say that.
I did. I did.
But she hit you first,
right, Daddy?
That's right, baby.
Sweetie, go grab me
some pajama pants, okay?
-Okay.
-Okay.
We got to make sure we know
exactly what we're saying
before we start talking
to the police.
They'll look at us,
and they'll look at her,
and they'll come
to their own conclusions.
And they'll separate us and...
ask us questions.
Including the girls.
Right. Okay.
Uh...
I just... I can't remember.
Anything?
No.
It's okay.
It's just shock, baby.
It's normal.
We only have a few minutes,
okay, so let's talk it through,
see if anything comes back.
Okay?
Uh, show me the steps, okay?
All right, I-I came in.
I heard a noise. I came in.
The door.
The door was open.
I went to the door.
I went to the door.
Okay.
Keep going.
You heard a noise.
Look at me.
You heard a noise.
You came in.
The door was open.
There was a woman
in the kitchen.
She attacked you.
You tried to defend
yourself, but...
...you didn't touch her
or do anything.
You just put your hands up
to defend yourself.
And then she fell
and hit her head.
Yeah.
Yeah.
She fell, and she hit her head.
Yeah.
Mommy, I don't want to talk
to the police.
It's okay, baby.
Everything's gonna be fine,
okay?
Hey. Thank you.
Okay, I found it.
Look.
"You may use deadly force
if such force is necessary
"to prevent death
or great bodily harm
to yourself
or to another individual."
So it's like Mom said.
You were defending yourself,
so it's fine.
All we have to do
is tell the truth.
Right?
Right.
But it could get
a little complicated.
Okay. It's gonna be fine.
Everything's gonna be fine,
okay?
All right?
Is it the police?
Uh, it's first response.
Could be EMor the fire department.
I'm not sure.
I hope it's the ambulance.
Everything will be fine.
Everybody, relax, okay?
Just relax.
The truth, guys.
All we have to do
is tell the truth.
We'll be fine.
-Fuck.
-Police!
On the premises now. Stand by.
Is this your home, sir?
Yes, sir.
Are any of you armed?
-Anybody injured?
-No.
Where's the intruder?
She's right there
in the kitchen.
Got it.
Was she carrying a weapon?
Uh, yes.
How's it looking?
Victim is not breathing.
No pulse.
Starting CPR.
Confirming victim is not
breathing and has no pulse.
Starting CPR.
Need an ambulance right away.
Ten-four.
Ambulance is en route.
Should be there any minute.
Copy that.
-Is there anyone else here?
-Uh, no. It's just us.
And my daughter's asleep
in the back room.
Intruder was alone?
Yes, as far as I know.
-Clear the house.
-Mm-hmm.
Yeah, copy that. We made entry.
We're, uh, going room to room.
Will advise.
Central, get the First Precinct
squad on the air.
All clear.
Copy.
Confirming no one else
on the premises.
Ten-four.
Is squad on the air?
Yeah, Carlsen's on the air.
Detective, I need you
to come over to my location.
1220 McCullough Street.
Well, give me a couple minutes.
Listen, I want everybody
to step outside of the house
till we know what
we've got here, all right?
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
-Kitchen.
-Got it.
I need to get Ashley.
Do not move.
Approaching
McCullough Street now.
Ten-four.
That was fast.
Just finished a job
a couple blocks from here.
How we doing?
Another B and E.
Victim is female.
Unconscious on the floor,
armed with a knife.
Possible homicide.
Premises secure.
Family unarmed.
Yet to question them.
Was waiting for you.
I set up the whole crime scene.
Right, let's keep it that way
till we see what
the hospital has to say.
Listen, when you get there,
let us know right away
if she's likely or not, okay?
-Right away.
-You got it.
And keep an eye out for
any bruises that start to form.
-Take pictures.
-Yes, ma'am.
So, what do you think?
Looks like you got
a half a dozen bank robbers
tied up in a corner over there.
Yeah.
Something doesn't feel right.
I sensed it when I walked in.
They were real nervous.
One of them probably
just killed somebody.
I don't know.
I'll figure it out.
You always do.
Hello.
My name is
Detective Frances Carlsen,
and I'm gonna need to speak
to each of you individually
about what happened here
tonight.
It shouldn't take very long,
and I'll appreciate
your patience and cooperation
in this matter.
Okay?
It's okay. You can talk.
Well, we were just
hoping you weren't
gonna have to separate
the girls,
'cause they're a little scared.
What's your name?
-Ryley.
-Mm-hmm.
And what's your name?
-Kendra.
-All right.
Ryley and Kendra.
Do you know why
we separate people
when we ask them questions?
Not really.
Oh, it's because
it gives us a chance
to see if everybody's
telling us the truth.
You see, if we separate you
and all your stories match up
without hearing
the other person's story,
well, then we pretty much know
we got the truth.
And that's what tonight's
all about-- getting that truth.
Okay?
So, how would you feel about
being put in one of your rooms
with one of my officers,
wait for me to come
and ask you some questions?
That be okay with you guys?
Ah, no?
That's what I'm talking about.
It's much better
if you answer for yourself
without checking
on someone else for help.
There are
no wrong answers here,
as long as it's the truth.
Are you okay with my plan?
Are you gonna hurt my dad?
Oh, no. It's okay, honey.
No one's gonna hurt Daddy.
-Come on, guys.
-It's okay. He'll be fine.
-It's all right.
-You can go with the officer.
There we go.
Come with these guys.
-They're nice guys.
-It's okay. It's okay.
I'll be right back.
Padilla,
keep an eye on 'em, please.
Here we go. All right.
Padilla.
The fuck were you thinking?
Huh?
-I don't know.
-You don't know.
That's fucking great, Alex.
That's great.
Shit.
Hey.
You can't remember
what happens to you
when someone's
breaking into our home?
You can't remember
how that person ends up
on the ground
with a knife a foot away?
You're a Black man
in America, Chris.
Protecting you--
that's what I was doing.
Okay, ready?
Want to step this way, ma'am?
Nice house.
I never could have afforded
a place like this at your age.
Here you go.
Oh, don't worry about it.
It's standard.
We record everything.
If you don't want to talk
or you want to...
call an attorney, it's okay.
I personally think we can
take care of this right here
without having to go
to the station and make
a whole big scary thing
for you guys.
But I do have to record it.
Okay?
Mm. Uh, it's fine.
Honestly, we just want
to put this behind us
as quickly as possible.
Thank you.
I don't think
I ever got your name.
-Alexandra.
-Alexandra.
And your husband?
Chris.
Uh, Christian.
Great.
So, Alexandra, walk me through
what happened here tonight.
Well, um...
I... I heard a scream
from the kitchen.
I came out running.
And, uh, when I got there,
we all saw Chris all upset
and some woman on the floor
holding a knife,
and we called the police.
And that's it?
Yeah.
Okay. Well, I might ask you
to step that out for me a bit,
but I have
a few questions first.
When you arrived, you said,
"We all saw Chris" there.
Did the girls get there
before you got there?
Um...
I don't know exactly
who got there when.
I mean, I was there first,
uh, but...
It was all around
the same time, I think.
You... We all heard a noise
and-and came running,
and it was...
it was pretty chaotic,
um, so I don't know
who exactly got there when,
but-but like I said,
it was around the same time,
more or less,
as far as I can remember.
All right, well,
we might revisit that as well.
And, uh, you mentioned that
"we called the police,"
but it was your husband
who called, correct?
Uh, yes.
Okay. And did you come
in contact with the victim?
The victim?
The intruder. Yes.
Um... uh, well, like I said,
uh, by the time I got there,
she was, uh,
already unconscious, so...
So you didn't have any contact
with her at all?
Um...
I mean, I-I...
I did check to see
if she was breathing.
So you did actually touch her?
I... I-I-I mean, I-I just...
I just ch-checked to see
if she was, uh, alive or not.
Of course.
Where did you touch her?
Uh, I don't exactly remember.
Um, I checked her pulse, um...
Her neck or her wrist?
Uh, uh...
I-I... I think I, um...
I-I-I grabbed her coat
and put my head near her chest
to see if she was,
um, breathing.
Wait, so you grabbed her coat
and put your head
up to her chest?
Uh, it... something like that.
Uh... I...
I don't exactly remember.
Well, you're gonna
want to remember this part.
They take fingerprints.
These details matter.
Uh...
honestly, it was, uh,
just really crazy
and-and just really chaotic,
so...
-I understand.
-I just... I don't remember
exactly, um,
who did what exactly
and when.
Okay.
All right.
I, uh...
I want to talk
about that knife.
Did you recognize it?
Uh, no. No, not really.
Not really?
Um... uh...
I don't understand.
Uh, it looked like
a regular knife.
Uh, w-we have
a few of them, so...
Oh, so it was
one of your knives?
No, no, um...
it looked like
one of the ones we may have.
But you said it looked
like a regular knife.
It did.
Which could mean
it came from anywhere.
Exactly.
Would you like
a glass of water, Alexandra?
No.
Look.
You are being interrogated.
This is currently
a crime scene,
so if what you've told me
is true,
there's nothing to worry about.
You don't need a lawyer.
It'll all be over very quickly,
and everything's gonna be fine.
But if what you've told me
is in any way not true,
it will not be fine.
So... I'll offer you a chance
to tell this story again
from the beginning,
keeping in mind
what I just said.
I know this is a confusing
and difficult moment. I get it.
So if you made any missteps
telling me the first time,
it's okay.
Not a problem. We can fix it.
But the truth...
Mm-hmm.
The truth here is everything.
You understand me?
Hey, want a smoke?
-Uh, no, thank you.
-Okay.
You want a jacket or something?
-No.
-Hmm?
I'm good.
Let me know.
It's cold out here, man.
So, what do you do
for a living?
I'm in construction.
Wife?
Uh, she's a teacher.
-Second grade.
-Mm.
What's with the face?
Uh, she's got an interview
in the morning, so...
Mm. Fingers crossed.
Hey, thanks.
So, construction.
Uh, yeah.
That's got to be tough.
Long hours,
on your feet all day.
What do you do for the pain?
Uh, just fight through,
I guess.
I hear you there.
Had back surgery a while ago.
Couldn't pick up my kid.
On my own.
Got to get up for work
in the morning.
Just still
fighting through. Mm.
I take medication, too.
Prescription.
So...
Tell me what happened
here tonight.
Uh, well, I was asleep in bed,
my wife and I,
and, um, I heard a noise.
I came into the kitchen,
and that woman
was standing there.
Hmm.
And, uh...
Then what?
-Christian?
-I'm sorry.
Uh, I...
I asked her to leave,
and she wouldn't.
And about how far apart
were the two of you standing
at this point?
Uh, I don't know--
ten, 12 feet.
So you were talking for a while
before anything happened?
Well, not for a while.
I just asked her to leave,
but, you know,
she wouldn't, and, um,
so I remember
I moved closer to her.
Uh, but I wasn't threatening
or anything.
-I just...
-It's okay. Keep going.
Um, yeah,
then she just sort of...
...jumped out at me.
When you say "jumped out"...
She attacked me.
With the knife?
-Uh, yeah.
-What...
Did you get cut at all?
Uh, n-no, I don't...
I don't think so.
No. No.
But it all happened so fast,
and, um,
you know, I didn't really
see much, and then...
then when she came at me,
I just put my hands up,
and-and, uh, you know,
she was out of it
-at that point, so...
-Hmm.
Drugs, maybe?
No, I don't...
I don't think so.
Um...
Anyway, like I said,
it happened so fast,
and next thing you know,
she's on the ground,
and-and the tile and, uh, uh...
Yeah.
Look, I know you're scared.
But I promise you,
there are laws
that play in your favor here.
I mean, if she was
a real threat,
an intruder coming at you
with a knife and all...
What I'm saying is,
if you went off on her,
we'll see it in the autopsy.
The forensics-- we'll see it.
So it's better to tell me
exactly what happened,
how it happened.
That's what I'm doing.
No, no, not really.
It's kind of vague.
I mean, I'm hearing things
like maybe she came at you
but not really swinging
that knife.
And then maybe
she fell and died?
I didn't say that.
Oh, you want me
to play it back?
-It is cold out here.
-Mm.
Hang tight.
Listen, I just wanted to talk
to both of you.
I'm getting
conflicting stories here,
and I need to get down
to the bottom of it.
Figured it'd save us all
some time.
Okay. What's confusing?
Well, a number of things.
For instance, you say
the victim attacked you,
but there's no signs
of that anywhere.
No cuts, no bruises.
And you say you heard a scream,
saw the victim on the floor,
but you can't remember
who got there when
or what happened next.
And you said you touched her
or checked her pulse,
but you can't say where
or when or how.
Look, I'm just trying
to help you out,
keep you guys from
some potentially serious
consequences.
But I can't help you
unless you give me
a straight story-- both of you.
-Okay?
-We-we told you what we know.
I'm not looking
for what you know.
I'm looking for what happened.
Exactly what happened.
So, I'm gonna try this again,
and I need you to think clearly
and think calmly, okay?
Okay, so...
a woman breaks into your house.
You find her, correct?
Yes.
And she has a weapon
when you see her-- a knife--
and she attacks you, correct?
Yes.
Uh, hang on.
Yes, she did.
And did you have
anything with you?
-Were you armed at all?
-No, I-I was not.
There's no reason
someone like this
would break into your house,
correct?
What do you mean?
Well, is there any reason
that a person...
Okay, but how is that relevant?
It's all relevant.
When you've been
in my line of work
as long as I have,
it's all relevant.
But what are you implying?
I'm not implying anything.
I'm simply asking a question.
This is a breaking
and entering case.
And in this neighborhood,
that usually happens
for one of two reasons:
the person knows
of something specific
in the house that they want
or they're just stopping by
to say hi.
And it's rarely
the latter, so...
-I'm gonna ask again...
-No.
We did not invite a criminal
into our home.
Okay.
Okay. All right.
Uh, I'm gonna take it back
to the knife for a second.
You said you had a number of
knives that look similar to...
I did not.
But initially,
you assumed it was
-one of yours, correct?
-No. No, ma'am, I-I did not.
W-Wait a minute. Don't accuse
my wife of assuming anything.
Either she said it
or she didn't.
You don't get to determine
what she meant.
You're right.
And stop calling her
"the victim."
She's not the victim here.
She broke into our home.
She frightened our family,
so she's not the victim.
Okay.
All right, look.
It's getting late, and I'm just
gonna be straight with you.
In a moment, I'm gonna
have to go into your house,
and I am gonna take statements
from both of your daughters,
and I will very quickly
get to the bottom
of what happened here tonight--
all of it.
-Now, you have a choice.
-Excuse me, Detective.
Baby's crying.
Detective Frances Carlsen.
Questioning Ryley, a minor.
Mother is present.
-Thank you.
-No problem.
Hey, Ryley.
Uh, what you doing?
-Just coloring.
-Yeah?
You must be pretty tired,
I bet.
No. I always stay up this late.
Oh?
Is everything okay now?
Almost.
I just have to ask
a few more questions,
and then we'll be all done.
Ryley, do you know
what happened here tonight?
Yeah.
A lady broke into our house
and tried to hurt my dad.
Anything else?
Hmm?
Do you remember seeing
your dad tonight at all?
I mean,
before the lady broke in.
Yeah. He said good night to us.
You notice anything different
about him at the time?
Hmm?
Seemed pretty normal?
Yeah, but he smelled.
Like what?
Beer.
Sometimes he drinks beer
even though
he's not supposed to.
Not supposed to?
My mom doesn't let him drink
because she says
"he's not himself"
when he drinks alcohol drinks.
Hmm.
Yeah, I can understand that.
You remember anything else?
Hmm?
What about when the lady
broke into your house?
Did your dad say what happened?
Uh-huh. He panicked.
What's that?
He said he panicked.
You know, Ryley, you're
the one person in this house
who doesn't seem nervous.
Oh... It's okay.
Um, here.
Here, I'll help you draw.
Yeah.
It's okay. It's all right.
You know, your dad
was really smart
to call us when he did.
You know that, right?
Hmm?
Can I talk to my mommy?
Go to sleep
Go to sleep
Go to sleep, little baby.
Sorry.
Ryley's asking for you.
Is everything okay?
Oh, she'll be fine.
Go to sleep
Little girl, go to sleep.
I'm gonna talk to Kendra now.
Where can I find her?
She's in the living room.
-Thank you.
-I'll be right there.
No, it's okay. I got it.
Give me a second.
I should be there.
Give me...
M-Ma'am, I'm... Ma'am.
-Mommy?
-You okay?
Okay, just give me
a second, baby.
-Kendra?
-Kendra, wait.
-Don't say a word.
-Kendra?
Please escort her back
to her bedroom.
Kendra, don't say a word.
-Ma'am. Ma'am, let's go.
-Don't touch me.
-Kendra, just listen to me.
-Ma'am...
Kendra, I need
to ask you some questions,
get your understanding of what
happened here tonight, okay?
-Please just-just wait.
-Ma'am, stop.
No. Kendra,
just don't say anything.
Alexandra, I can either
interview her here now,
like we all agreed,
or we can take her
down to the station
and do this differently, okay?
-No. No.
-Ma'am, stop. Ma'am.
-Please escort her
back to the bedroom. -Let's go.
Do not touch me.
Kendra, just listen to me.
-No, I just said... Excuse me.
-Ma'am, stop. Ma'am.
Kendra, you know
what's happening here, right?
It'll be all right.
Breathe easy.
Look at me, sweetheart.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
Just want to talk to you.
Can I just speak
to my daughter?
I don't understand
why you're trying
to talk to her without me.
She is a minor.
I am her parent.
Wait, sweetie.
Just don't say anything.
Ma'am.
-Ma'am, stop. -Mommy?
-Excuse me.
Hey, sir. Hey.
Hey, get back here. Hey, sir.
-Sir. Hey.
-Hey.
-Incoming. Hey!
-Whoa, whoa!
Okay, okay, okay.
-Keep your hands where
we can see them. -Okay, okay.
-Don't move.
-Okay. Okay.
Okay, okay.
Do not move.
Okay.
-Keep your hands up.
-It's okay.
-Hey. Hey.
-Okay.
Okay. Okay.
-It's okay.
-Okay. Okay.
Okay.
Okay. Okay.
-Stand down.
-Okay.
Okay.
She needs her pump.
She has asthma.
She needs her pump.
-Please. Hurry.
-Please.
Where is it?
In the bathroom.
Go get it.
Okay. Okay.
It'll be all right.
It'll be all right.
Mom.
It's okay. Shh.
Just breathe, Kendra.
Just breathe, okay?
Let it go.
There's a process.
Talk to you for a minute?
Let's be thorough.
It's fine, baby.
You're gonna be okay.
It's been a long night.
I know you guys
have been through a lot.
It's enough. Okay?
My kids are scared.
My wife is scared.
-I understand.
-We don't want to press
any charges on that woman.
We just want it to end, please.
I understand you feel that way,
but unfortunately,
-it doesn't work like that.
-I don't care. I don't care.
-I don't care.
-Someone broke into your home.
Ma'am, with all due respect,
listen.
Listen to me.
I'm asking you to end this
for the sake of my family.
Please.
Please.
A crime was committed.
Oh, my God.
The intruder could potentially
lose her life.
I cannot leave this place
until I finish my process.
Does that make sense?
Listen, I know it was
a scary scene out there,
and I am sorry.
We can give her some time,
get her breath and relax,
get it together...
...but I got to talk to her.
I got to complete my report.
I do that, and I promise
we will be done.
Do you understand?
Hmm?
Brought you a refill.
I just want to say
how sorry I am
about this horrible night.
And I know it all feels
pretty scary.
I probably feel
pretty scary, too,
but I promise I'm not.
I know you guys have been
through a lot tonight.
I just want you to know I'm...
I'm here to help.
Thank you.
You bet.
So, Kendra, I'm supposed
to record your statement,
and I just want to make sure
you're okay with that, hmm?
Detective Carlsen.
Questioning Kendra, minor.
Parents are present.
So...
Kendra, I'm just gonna
start with you
like I started with everyone.
Can you tell me
what you remember from tonight?
What happened earlier?
Yeah.
So, we came into the kitchen
when we heard, like,
a loud noise
or something like that.
And when we got there,
my dad was on the phone
with the police,
and my mom was standing
over the lady.
The lady that broke
into your house?
Okay, so the lady
that broke into your house
is on the floor.
Good.
Do you know how she got there?
Self-defense.
What do you mean?
My dad was defending himself.
She tried to hurt him,
and he defended himself.
Hmm.
And she had a weapon?
Yeah. A knife.
Okay, so let's go back
a little bit.
Your dad is on the phone
with the police,
and your mom is standing
over this lady.
Mm, anything happen
before the police came in?
Kendra, I've been having
a terrible time
trying to find the truth
of what happened here tonight.
And you seem like
the type of person
that can help me get there.
So I'm gonna need
your help, okay?
I'm gonna tell you
what I think happened,
and you just let me know
if I'm on the right track.
Sound good?
Okay.
I think a strange woman
broke into your house,
your dad found her
and he got scared.
Understandably.
But then I think he got mad
because he worked really hard
to get you guys this house--
a nice, safe house.
Someone breaks in,
tries to hurt his family?
And then when he tried
to get her to leave
and she didn't want to,
I think he got really mad.
Hmm?
I think he may have hurt
that woman.
And when you guys saw her
bleeding on the floor,
I think someone realized
how bad it would look
when someone like me
showed up, right?
So your parents
called the police
because they're smart folks.
But I think that...
that knife...
I think that knife
belonged to your dad, maybe.
And I think it had been
in the house the whole time.
And I think that one of you...
one of you thought
it might be a good idea
if you just picked it up
and put it in the woman's hand.
Just to make it look
a little bit better.
And if you tell me who did it,
you can save your family
a whole lot of trouble.
Probably some jail time.
Kendra.
I think you're really smart
and really, really brave.
You just tell me who did it,
it'll all be over.
We'll leave.
It'll all go back to normal.
The truth is I pretty much
already know who did it.
I just need you
to confirm it for me.
I know it was your mom
who did it.
It wasn't her.
If it wasn't her, who was it?
Long night.
The name Mary Duvall-Thompson
sound familiar to you?
Mary Duvall-Th...
Mary Duvall-Thom...
-No.
-No.
That's the name of the lady
who broke into your home.
Thankfully,
she's gonna be all right.
Thank God.
Yeah, looks like she was just
knocked unconscious,
had some bleeding.
Nothing to cause
any major issues.
In fact,
Mary is alert and active.
It's funny how
that happens sometimes.
Hmm.
What'd she say?
-What'd she say?
-Well, yeah.
Did she give a reason
why she broke into our home?
No, we haven't
questioned her yet,
but apparently,
she lives in the neighborhood.
There's been a lot of drug
dealing around here lately,
you know, people trying
to make an extra buck.
And, uh, every now and then,
you get a user showing up
in someone's house
looking for
whatever they can find.
But why us?
Don't know.
But we'll get
to the bottom of it.
You know,
just out of curiosity,
how much did you have
to drink tonight?
He doesn't drink.
Christian?
Baby, tell her.
Christian?
-Baby.
-Um, I...
You have a lot of trouble
sleeping at night?
-Do I...
-I noticed a couple
of unmarked medicine vials
in the bathroom.
Yeah, those are pain pills.
He has a bad back.
Xanax, OxyContin?
Controlled substances.
It's for pain.
Mm, you take
those two together,
you get a lot of confusion.
Start to forget things,
stumble here and there.
You add alcohol
to the equation,
-you're really in trouble.
-Yeah, I-I know.
Prescription, right?
Right.
Look, we'll take care
of the intruder.
She'll pay for what she did--
you have my word.
We're just checking
on one other thing,
and then we'll be
out of your hair.
Oh, here we go.
Give me a second?
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
-What aren't you telling me?
-Shh.
-Baby.
-Shh.
All right.
Mm-hmm.
So you giving me the okay?
All right.
Chris, you lied to me,
didn't you?
What?
That is your knife, isn't it?
No.
Yes.
Yes, it is.
I'm sorry, Mommy.
And based on the information
gathered here tonight,
we have reason to believe
that that knife was placed
in the intruder's hand.
No.
Unfortunately,
that is a felony--
tampering with a crime scene.
So, Christian, I'm gonna
have to place you under arrest.
What?
-No. No. -Sir, I need you
to step forward, please.
-Don't. No, wait.
-Daddy.
-Sir. Sir.
-No. No. No.
-I need you to step forward.
-Do not do this. Please.
-Please. No. -Daddy.
-Don't do this.
-Step forward.
-Just-just... just wait.
Just don't take him, please.
Sir, I need you
to step forward.
-Put your hands behind your
back. -Wait, wait, wait, wait.
-No, please.
-Let him go, ma'am.
-Please. No, don't do this.
-Please don't leave. Please.
You have the right
to remain silent.
-Let him go, ma'am.
-Please listen to me.
Anything you say can and will
be held against you
-in a court of law.
-Dad, I'm sorry. Please.
-Please. Oh, God. -You have
the right to an attorney.
-Sir, wait! -If you cannot
afford an attorney...
-Please.
-Mom, Daddy, do something.
-...one will be appointed
for you. -No, no.
-Mom! -No, please. Please.
You're making a mistake.
Do you understand the rights
that have been read to you?
Stop. Stop.
He didn't do anything.
-He didn't do anything wrong.
-Sir, do you understand
the rights
that have been read to you?
-Sir!
-Please.
-No, don't do this.
-Mom, do something. -Please.
Don't take my husband! Please.
Ma'am,
take your children inside.
-Please. -Ma'am, why don't you
take your children inside.
No, don't tell me what to do
with my kids!
I always believed
that the choices we made
belonged to us.
And no matter what,
the decisions
and the consequences
were left for us alone
to deal with.
No regrets.
No going back in time.
I was wrong.
I asked my grandma once,
"What happens when you make
a bad choice?"
She said, "You pray to God,
"ask for forgiveness
"and hope you don't leave
the ones you love
to deal with your mess."
Bernard 33,
496, what's your status?
43. Code four.
Appears scouting party's GOA.
Bernard 33, ten-four.
41 for obstruction of justice,
city of West Towson,
1220 McCullough Street.
Where's 10-45?
Obstruction of justice,
1220 McCullough Street.
RD is reporting two individuals
in a physical 515.
Mary Duvall-Thompson,
53 years of age,
and Christian Pettis,
38 years of age.
RD states male, Black,
in possession
of controlled substances
with intent to sell.
Female, white, possible client,
enters home.
RD states
a physical 515 ensues.
Female's knocked unconscious.
Male then obstructs evidence
at the scene.
Currently en route to station.
Victim in stable condition,
alert, receiving medical.
Ten-four.
45, did you say victim
is possible client?
45, that is correct.
45, do we have
any priors on the address?
We'll check.
Thank you, 45. Ten-four.
Thank you, 42. Ten-four.
Ten-four.
Thank you, 45. Ten...
Correction. Did you say 10-28?
Confirm.
Thank you, 45. Go ahead.