Lying Teens Find Out Witness Already Told Police EVERYTHING
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Victoria Schaefer, 44, was killed by a 75-pound log falling 76 feet at Hocking Hill State Park on Labor Day 2019.
- ❖Investigators quickly determined the log was intentionally moved and pushed from a pile 44 feet from the cliff edge.
- ❖An anonymous tip from a girl whose ex-boyfriend, Jordan Buckley, confessed to her, led police to the suspects.
- ❖Jordan Buckley initially denied involvement, then claimed Jaden Church House kicked the log, while he only helped move it.
- ❖Jaden Church House also initially denied involvement, then blamed Jordan for kicking the log off the cliff.
- ❖The host theorizes Jaden displayed sadistic tendencies, enjoying causing pain, while Jordan was an 'appeaser' seeking approval.
- ❖Jaden's mother aggressively defended him during interrogation, exhibiting self-victimizing and dismissive communication patterns.
- ❖Both Jordan Buckley and Jaden Church House pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and were sentenced to three years in juvenile detention.
- ❖A third teen, Miranda Spencer, pleaded guilty to obstructing official business and received a suspended 90-day jail sentence.
Insights
1Initial Investigation Revealed Intentional Act
The log that killed Victoria Schaefer was 6 feet long and weighed 75 pounds. Investigators found other similar cut logs in a pile 44 feet from the cliff edge, not close enough to roll off naturally. This led them to theorize someone moved the log to the cliff and pushed it, indicating intent rather than an accident.
Log was 6 feet long, 75 lbs. Other cut logs found 44 feet from cliff. Log fell 76 feet.
2Jordan Buckley's Shifting Narrative Under Interrogation
Jordan Buckley initially claimed he only heard about the incident, then admitted to being present but denied direct involvement, stating Jaden kicked the log. He later admitted to touching the log to move it with Jaden, but maintained he didn't know Jaden would kick it off. His story changed multiple times, especially when confronted with evidence like his text to his ex-girlfriend and the likelihood of people being below the cliff.
Jordan's initial denial, then admission of presence, then blaming Jaden, then admitting to moving the log with Jaden. His claim of not hearing screams despite the park being packed.
3Jaden Church House's Bragging and Denial
Jaden Church House was identified as the primary perpetrator by Jordan and Miranda. Jordan reported Jaden bragged, 'I already caught a body by the age of 16,' indicating a lack of remorse and potentially sadistic tendencies. During his interrogation, Jaden also initially denied involvement, then blamed Jordan, despite evidence from other witnesses.
Jordan's account of Jaden saying, 'I already caught a body by the age of 16.' Jaden's initial denial and subsequent blame of Jordan.
4Parental Defense Mechanisms During Interrogation
Jaden's mother exhibited strong defensive and self-victimizing behaviors during her son's interrogation. She repeatedly interrupted, challenged detectives, and framed the situation around her own distress and difficulties as a single mother, rather than focusing on the victim or her son's accountability. The host interprets this as a mechanism to dismiss others' pain and assert her own as paramount.
Jaden's mom stating, 'This is going to RIP MY FAMILY APART. I'M GOING TO LOSE MY JOB.' and 'You know what that's doing to me? That's hitting me in the head with a log.'
5The 'Trophy Selfie' and Post-Crime Indifference
After the log fell and killed Schaefer, Jordan and Jaden took a selfie at the park. Jordan later described eating cookies, drinking tea, and riding scooters after the incident. This behavior, particularly the selfie, is framed by the host as a 'trophy' and indicative of a profound lack of empathy or an attempt to normalize a horrific event.
Jordan's admission of taking a selfie with Jaden after the incident and their subsequent activities (eating cookies, riding scooters).
Key Concepts
Sadist/Appeaser Dynamic
The host proposes that groups involved in harmful 'pranks' often feature a 'sadist' ringleader who enjoys inflicting pain (like Jaden), and an 'appeaser' who seeks the ringleader's approval and participates to feel 'special' (like Jordan). This dynamic explains why individuals might engage in or enable harmful acts.
Plausible Deniability & Accountability Avoidance
Individuals who know their actions are wrong (like the teens) often construct narratives or involve others to create plausible deniability, shifting blame and avoiding accountability. They project responsibility onto others or minimize the severity of their actions.
Self-Victimizing Parental Defense
The host identifies a parental defense mechanism where a parent, when confronted with their child's wrongdoing, responds by asserting their own pain and suffering, effectively dismissing the victim's pain and attempting to redirect sympathy towards themselves and their family. This can hinder a child's ability to take responsibility.
Lessons
- Recognize that teenagers, even those involved in severe crimes, may initially present as confident manipulators or feign ignorance; experienced investigators anticipate and counter these tactics.
- Understand that a parent's defensive or self-victimizing reactions during a child's interrogation can be a coping mechanism, but it often hinders the truth-finding process and the child's accountability.
- Be aware that individuals with 'sadistic' tendencies (as described by the host) may lead groups into harmful 'pranks,' while 'appeasers' may participate to gain acceptance, highlighting the importance of understanding group dynamics in criminal behavior.
- Note that a 'trophy selfie' or seemingly indifferent post-crime behavior can be a significant indicator of a lack of remorse or an attempt to normalize a traumatic event.
Notable Moments
The detective's direct question to Jordan: 'You ever see what a woman looks like with her head bashed open? You want to see it?'
This moment served as a psychological test by the detective to gauge Jordan's reaction and emotional state, pushing him to confront the grim reality of his actions.
Jaden's mother's repeated interjections and attempts to shut down the interrogation, culminating in her saying, 'You know what? I do have a choice.'
This illustrates a parent's desperate attempt to control the narrative and protect her child, even when confronted with overwhelming evidence, and her self-centered framing of the situation.
Quotes
"This is going to RIP MY FAMILY APART. I'M GOING TO LOSE MY JOB."
"Round of applause for the snitch. Okay, we've heard for years, snitches get stitches. Mind your business. Do XYZ. No, girl. When it's safe... do the right thing."
"I already caught a body by the age of 16."
"I told that I did do this with him, but I did not. I was just trying to act cool in front of her."
"You ever see what a woman looks like with her head bashed open? You want to see it?"
"You know what that's doing to me? That's hitting me in the head with a log."
Q&A
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