Honestly: these days, if the cops name you as a “person of interest”, you **need** to lawyer up.
Remember Richard Jewell, identified as the “person of interest” in the Atlanta Olympics Bombing ? Innocent, but railroaded.
Or Stephen Hatfill, who was exonerated AFTER being driven to suicide by investigators into the Anthrax Attack of 2001. . .
The cops name whoever is convenient, and the narrative immediately become that they are the SUSPECT. . .
Most criminals know that it is never in ones best interest to talk to LEO. There would be a lot of people walking around free today if they just kept their trap shut. Most people DO believe however, they can just “talk” their way out of things. In most cases, they are wrong. This case however will probably end in an arrest.
I understand that. I also know the police were following him to a house, and he supposedly fled away at a high rate of speed, such that police had to end the pursuit. That is above and beyond just getting a lawyer.
“Or Stephen Hatfill, who was exonerated AFTER being driven to suicide by investigators into the Anthrax Attack of 2001. . .”
I think he’s still alive.
So, out of the 1000’s of “people of interest” that are ID’d every week or so, you mention two bad examples and generalize for everyone. Look at the PA State Trooper killing last week. Couple persons of interest quickly ID’d and exonerated. Now they are looking for the real killer.