In 1998, 14-year-old Michael Politte woke up to find his Missouri home engulfed in flames and his mother dead inside. Within hours, investigators decided Michael was the killer, despite a complete lack of physical evidence and a motive that made no sense. He was convicted based on questionable fire science, coerced statements, and a rush to judgment that ignored other suspects. Michael spent 23 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit before new evidence and advocacy efforts finally led to his release in 2021. This case exposes the dangers of tunnel vision in investigations and the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions.
When a teenager becomes the prime suspect, who's asking the hard questions?
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