Detecting Liars: The Jussie Smollet Case

Disclaimer: I'm no expert in detecting liars.

So, in watching and observing this case with Jussie Smollet, here are some things that I considered when detecting if he was lying:

1. Cussing publicly - a victim most likely will never cuss publicly especially on TV because of their awareness of the public's sensitivities to language, their will to tell the truth for all (including children who could be watching) to hear, and their emotional outlet entitling such cussing has already passed via a private setting
2. Staring hard - a victim most likely will never stare so hard into an interviewer's eye or camera when making truthful statements partly because of the guilt or shame that comes with feeling such hurtful truth
3. Looking up (a lot) - a victim most likely will never look up (to think - strategically) more than look down (to think - emotionally)
4. Tone Change - depending on the question, his tone changed (and even his body language with facial expression; a victim usually has consistent tone throughout an interview because of the pain
5. TV before Case Closed - a victim usually doesn't interview with TV or any media outlet until the case is closed

What a learning experience considering I just watched this YouTube on detecting lying (by Pamela Meyer, author of Liespotting):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6vDLq64gE

Here's Jussie Smollet's interview with ABC:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXLx5OY21Bk

CNN's Don Lemon discusses his personal relationship with Jussie Smollett in light of the "Empire" actor facing charges of allegedly filing a false police report, claiming two men attacked him.
https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-attack-don-lemon-sot-ctn-vpx.cnn

I hope you find this useful.

God Speed,
G2

P.S. Did I fail to mention that it's also Black History Month (when this case happened)?