When you’re facing a homicide charge, the prosecution’s narrative often hinges on a handful of eyewitness statements. But what if those initial statements were inaccurate, misleading, or misunderstood? That’s where re-interviewing witnesses—one of the most critical tasks in a private homicide investigation—can make a real difference.
At Simmons Wagner, LLP, we don’t just accept the state’s version of events. Our in-house homicide investigators work to re-examine key witness testimony with fresh eyes, asking new questions and uncovering inconsistencies that can cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
Here’s why this one tactic is so powerful—and often underestimated.
Witness Testimony Isn’t Always Reliable
In the chaos that follows a violent crime, people are scared, emotional, and often confused. Yet their initial statements to police are frequently taken as fact and used to build the foundation of the state’s case.
However, research has shown that eyewitness accounts are notoriously unreliable:
- Memory can be distorted by trauma or suggestion
- People may confuse timelines or misidentify individuals
- Interview techniques can influence responses
- Witnesses may feel pressured to say what they think law enforcement wants to hear
In a high-stakes case like homicide, those flaws can be the difference between conviction and acquittal.
What Happens During a Re-Interview?
Our homicide investigators revisit each witness with a strategic, defense-focused mindset. Instead of trying to prove a suspect’s guilt, we’re looking for:
- Inconsistencies between initial and follow-up statements
- Details that were omitted or misrepresented in the original police report
- Potential bias or ulterior motives
- New facts that may have surfaced with time or reflection
In many cases, re-interviewing a witness can lead to clarified timelines, alternate interpretations of events, or even recanted testimony. And when witnesses change or contradict their earlier statements, that opens the door to impeaching their credibility in court.
Real-World Impact in Homicide Cases
Consider a case where a key eyewitness originally told police they saw the defendant fleeing the scene. But a private investigator later discovered that the same witness had poor eyesight—and was actually over 200 feet away, in low light, with no corrective lenses. That discrepancy changed the trajectory of the entire case.
Or take a witness who omitted a crucial detail in their first interview—like the presence of another unknown individual at the scene. A re-interview, guided by new questions and additional evidence, might reveal this missing piece and create reasonable doubt.
Re-Interviewing Is Just One Piece of a Larger Strategy
While re-interviewing witnesses is powerful, it’s most effective when used alongside other investigative tools—like forensic analysis, digital evidence review, and scene reconstruction. At Simmons Wagner, LLP, our homicide defense strategy combines all these elements with one goal: to give you the strongest, most fact-based defense possible.
Don’t Let Faulty Testimony Go Unchallenged
If you or a loved one is facing a homicide charge, it’s essential to challenge every part of the prosecution’s case—especially witness testimony. That starts with a dedicated investigator who’s trained to spot cracks in the narrative and ask the right questions.
Call (949) 439-5857 today to schedule a confidential consultation. At Simmons Wagner, LLP, we’ll make sure no witness goes unquestioned—and no statement goes unchallenged.