Failed Polygraph
After breaking shortly after 6:00PM, or just after his first interview on February 17, 2005, Boney took a stipulated polygraph about him being involved in the Camm murders. That polygraph was administered by a retired Louisville police officer and experienced polygraph examiner.
In order to take the polygraph, however, it was necessary to secure Boney's consent, which he provided. The police and prosecution also wanted him to take a stipulated polygraph which is one that both the state and suspect agree that the results can be used as evidence. Boney's stipulated polygraph stated that the results could be "introduced into evidence...at any trial..."
Officer Doug Inghram of the Louisville Metro Police was the original polygrapher who examined Boney on February 17, 2005. Detective Inghram, who was sick when he began the examination, had to stop midway through it and called retired Jefferson County Police polygrapher Robert Ennis for help in finishing the test. Robert Ennis has an outstanding reputation amongst police officers, prosecutors, and the defense bar.
Mr. Ennis spent a period of time with Boney prior to testing him during which he went over all of the questions, relevant and otherwise. He posed the following three relevant questions to Boney:
- Did you shoot any of those people in Indiana?
- Were you there when they were shot?
- Did you see who shot them?
Mr. Ennis has noted on many different occasions that he is a "seeker of the truth" and doesn't have a preconceived opinion of the involvement or non-involvement of a suspect in a crime. As with most professional polygraphers, he gave the examinee the benefit of the doubt. He did that with Boney and after running three tests, came to the solid conclusion that Boney was deceptive about being involved with the murders of Kim, Brad, and Jill when he answered no to each of the three relevant questions.
(Note: Most polygraphers, although they score each question, nonetheless weigh the exam as a whole and not the individual questions before coming to any opinion as to whether the subject is deceptive or non-deceptive.)
Ennis also later talked about the reaction of the two investigators (Kessinger and Gilbert) in a deposition in October, 2005:
Ennis: "They were surprised."
Liell: "Even shocked?"
Ennis: "Yes, ma'am."
Ennis also gave Boney a peak of tension test, the goal of which was to determine if he had knowledge of the type of weapon that was used to murder the Camm family. Boney claimed he didn't have a clue, but yet responded to the question involving a .380, indicating further deception. A .380 Lorcin semi-automatic handgun was the murder weapon.
A very big question quickly comes to mind: Why wasn't Boney given another test with more specific questions, such as:
- Did you personally shoot Kim Camm?
- Did you personally shoot Brad Camm?
- Did you personally shoot Jill Camm?
- Were you responsible for the removal of Kim's shoes?
- Were you attempting to steal Kim Camm's shoes?
- Did you leave your "BACKBONE" sweatshirt at the scene?
The question must be asked as to why the investigators didn't request that another polygraph be given to Boney which would have asked more specific questions and then provided answers as to his role in the crimes. It wasn't the responsibility of the polygrapher to do that on his own accord but rather for the investigators to request another exam.
Remember that Boney was being cooperative at the time, giving multiple interviews, and would be cooperative for over two more weeks prior to his palm print being matched to the Bronco. There were numerous opportunities to have him take another polygraph yet he wasn't asked to do so by the police. One must ask the simple question as to why he wasn't given another polygraph.
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