What does that mean? >> I was honest with you and you're you're not listening to anything I'm saying. I just gave you the the information >> How do you know? >> You tell me what that looks like. >> With his name on it. >> What? >> At about 7:00 on the morning of Friday, May 20th, 2022, Orono police stopped a silver Chevrolet Impala in Mound, Minnesota. Its rear window was blown out. One front tire was gone, and the car was running on the bare rim. The driver was 28-year-old Julissa Thaler. Officers spoke with her for a few minutes, then drove her home. Only afterward, searching the car before it was towed, did they open the trunk. Inside was her 6-year-old son, Eli Hart. He had been shot with a shotgun as many as nine times. >> What's going on? I can't hear you. You're going to have to talk louder than me. >> I got to go pay for a car to go get fixed up. >> Okay. >> What was I speeding? >> Um well, you you don't have a tire. >> Well, I know. I'm going home right now. >> You're going where? >> I'm going home right now to get it fixed. >> Okay. Where's home? >> Um just down the block. Um do you mind if I get on my way? My I really can't drive on this tire. >> Right. So, that's why you're being stopped right now cuz you don't have a tire. >> Exactly. And I'm on my way. I literally live one block away. >> Okay. Do you have a driver's license on you today? >> You guys Can I give you my driver's license and my driver's ID? >> No. Why don't you take the keys out of the car? So So, shut it off for me. Put the keys on the dash, how about? >> Mhm. Sir, I've got to get home. I have a flat on my tire. >> Okay. No, you like your hand What's wrong with your hand? >> I got it cut. I cut it on I cut it getting the tire. You know how the police were shooting at the tire, so I ran out here. >> So, well, why is your hand all bloody, though? >> I cut it on the shotgun. >> Oh, you put it Okay. Okay. And that was at the AAA >> AAA by the Shell gas by the Shell gas station. >> By the Shell gas station. Okay. Yeah, why don't you step out of the car for me? >> Whoa, whoa, whoa, why do you need my car keys? >> Why don't you step out of the car for me? Step out. We'll go around over here behind your car. >> Okay. >> Okay, and that's your car, huh? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Insurance and license. >> Okay. Okay. >> need to go home. I'm cold. >> Will you stay here? I'm just going to look at your tire just to see how it is, okay? >> The tire is fine. There's just no rim on it. >> There's no rim on it. >> How did she say this happened? On the shoulder of the road. So, this makes me believe her. Ambulance. >> Jesus. >> Uh >> Or is that a traffic type? >> That's the other thing. So, she says she's getting hit. But, this is what's really throwing me. I mean, obviously I'm not going to stop her. >> Yeah. >> Right. That's blood. And that You can see the blood. A crap ton of blood. >> There's what? >> Blood all over the car. Spray. And that >> Is that blood? >> Yeah. Smell it. Blood. >> So, what is all the blood in there? >> I'm from deer meat. >> Deer meat? >> I had a big bag of deer meat in there. >> Yeah, I don't want to stand in the traffic here. >> Sir, I don't want you guys in my car. Um you didn't ask me or anything. >> Okay. What's with what looks like blood in there and >> It's not blood. It's deer meat. I had a big bag of And there's a farmer around here that does deer meat and hamburger. So, I get fresh baked from them. >> Okay. >> glass bottle of soda, throw it out. I also like tacos and like some >> And then there's this blanket. I got there's a shotgun there, too. But there's dude waiting there with his blanket. Holy [ __ ] >> Baylor was arrested later that day and taken to the Orono Police Department. She was not told what she had been arrested for. The interview begins at 4 minutes past 6:00 that evening. >> And then I understand you want some pizza and pops. I've got some coming for you. >> I also want to >> Um again, my name is Brad. I'm at Orono. Um investigations. >> Hi, nice to meet you. >> How do you spell >> Angela's Lissa's fine. >> Lissa? Okay. Um And then we're just waiting for Kyle. I understand you want to talk to Kyle. >> Yeah, the investigator. I just wanted to figure out like what All I know is that you guys stopped me for a traffic stop this morning. >> Let's hold off on talking about that for now. Um let's just keep it super general. >> Okay. Can you tell me >> And then >> me why I'm being arrested? >> I don't want to talk about anything right now >> Just tell me what I'm being arrested for then. >> I'm going to read or Kyle's going to read you your Miranda warning. So let's just keep it super general. That's why I'm like, "I'm Brad. I'm getting you uh I got some pizza and pop coming for you." Um we got to keep it super general because I don't want you to say anything that that you might regret or um without you having your rights read. You know what I'm saying? It's an issue. So um we'll just keep it super general for right now. Um you're cold? >> Um yeah, kind of. >> Kind of. >> So, I'm just confused. Am I going to be able to go home today? >> I don't know. >> You don't know? >> Do you know the date today? >> Um no. 20th, maybe? >> Yeah, it's May 20th, and it's 18:04 hours. >> [clears throat] >> Um and just for fun, I know you said your name was Julissa. Is it Angelica? >> Yes. >> And then Baylor? >> Um yeah. >> Okay. >> What time is it? >> Uh 6:04. >> Oh. >> p.m. >> Dinner time. >> And Genrich, is that your middle name, too? >> Mhm. >> Okay. And your date of birth is 2/6/94? >> Mhm. >> That to you? All right. Um now that we have established I'm Brad Chandler with the Ronald B. Um I'm just going to read you this um so that it's down, just in case we do talk about something. We're just waiting for Kyle, so we're doing that. Um but you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present while with while present with you while you are being questioned. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you without cost before any questioning. If you can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights as I've explained them to you? >> Yeah, I understand. >> Good. >> I have a question. >> Yeah. >> So, >> And then you're under arrest right for Kyle, so that's you I'm just talking to but yeah, what's your question? >> I'm just confused. I don't know what I'm being arrested for. you guys are keeping me here and are refusing to tell me like what I'm what you're accusing me of. So, can you tell me like what why you're trying to put me in jail? I don't know what I'm being accused of. >> Yeah, I think that's I think Cal and I talked about that. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> Yeah, I have like a really abusive baby daddy and it was we left him it was uh a big weight off our shoulders. >> It was what? >> It was a big weight off our shoulders. >> Oh, really? Okay. >> Hello. >> Hey, Elizabeth. Um we have been just chitchatting, but um she's been asking a few questions that I said I'd refer >> Yeah. >> I would refer you. >> Got you. >> But just in case whatever, I did read her Miranda, but if you want to read her Miranda again, have at it. I'm going to grab one more thing and then I'll be right back. >> I saw your car that you were driving had a flat tire. >> Yeah. >> that happen? >> Um vandalism. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. >> Happened at your apartment, sir? >> Um in town. >> In town? >> [clears throat] >> So, they just like let the air out or something or what? >> Yeah. >> Really? >> Hello. >> How are you? >> Um not so bad. I want to go home. Um I have a few questions. >> Well, what's uh let's do what I have to do first. Um that I have to do with absolutely everybody anytime I have somebody in custody. >> Okay. >> All right. You've seen the TV show Cops before, right? >> Yeah. >> I think Brad read them to you a minute ago. But uh I have to read you what's your Miranda warning, okay? >> Okay. >> Um we'll go through it and just answer yes or no for me, okay? >> Okay. >> All right. And what is your first name? >> Um Julissa. >> Can you spell it for me? >> J U L I S S A >> J U L I S S A. Do you have a middle name? >> Uh Angelica. >> Angelica? >> Yeah, G A B R I >> Can you spell it? >> Can you tell me exactly what it is that I'm being arrested for? >> to We'll get to that in just a sec, okay? >> Well, I don't really want to answer any more questions so if you >> What's your date of birth, Julissa? >> 2 6 94 >> 2 6 94 Okay. Okay. Well, before we talk and before we answer any questions, like I said, I have to I have to read this. It's uh it's beyond me and it's beyond you, so the Constitution requires I inform you that you have the right to remain silent. Do you understand that? >> I understand. >> Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Do you understand that? You have the right to talk to a lawyer now and have the lawyer present now or at any time during questioning. Do you understand that? >> Mhm. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you without cost. Do you understand that? >> Yes. >> Um having each of those rights in mind, do you wish to speak with me right now? >> Uh I guess. >> Yes? >> Yeah. >> Yeah? >> Um if you could answer my question, that would be really awesome. What am I being arrested for? >> So right now, just like I had said before, right now you're being you're being held and arrested for suspicion of being involved in a homicide. >> And what homicide is that? It's ridiculous. >> Well, that's what I think we have to uh we have to talk about a few things here. >> Sure. Yeah, could you tell me like what what you think I did and who is this person and if you could answer those two questions, that would be awesome. >> Okay. Well, I think we can get around to that. >> No, no. Like, I want those questions answered before we go forward. >> Well, where I kind of want to start is I kind of want to start at where we had contact with you this morning, when you first met me. >> Yeah, that was when you guys arrested me. >> Yeah, what happened with that? Like >> Um you didn't answer my questions. >> What's that? >> Who Who are you guys accusing me of this of? Like, I'm not I'm 28 years old. Like, who are you guys accusing me of being the the feeding in, like >> So, right now the investigation that we're conducting involves the vehicle that you were stopped in this morning. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um that vehicle that you stated belonged to you when I talked to you earlier before, right? >> Yeah. >> What kind of a vehicle is that? >> Um well, can you just answer my question? Like, who are you accusing me of this of? >> Well, as of right now, I honestly, I don't have a name for the party right now. >> Okay. >> So, today, in that vehicle that you were stopped in and driving is that the silver Impala? Is that the one that belongs to you? >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. So, that silver Impala after we had contact with you before before we let you go back to your apartment at Interlocken there we opened the trunk to that vehicle. >> Okay. >> What do you think was found in the trunk of that vehicle? >> Uh I'm not sure. What was in there? >> I think you know. >> I don't. Oh, can you tell me what it was? And like, maybe I'll know why I'm here. >> There's a dead body in the trunk of that car. A dead juvenile body. >> Really? But, who was it? >> That's what I can't answer right now. That's why I'm here talking to you tonight now. >> Oh. >> The reason why we don't know who it was is because the head was missing. >> What? In my car? >> When I talked to you earlier, you had just told me that you had that car and you were doing Instacart from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. And then you went to the Alcoholics Alcoholics Anonymous location off of Three Points Boulevard. And then about 20 minutes after that, you were stopped by us. >> All I have to say is I'm done covering for my ex. I have multiple orders of protections against him. He's threatened to kill me and people I care about multiple times and I'm done covering for him. I have a lawyer. >> You have to do a lawyer? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Just so we Just so we can >> my ex's name? >> [clears throat] >> Mhm. No, we don't. Mhm. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> So, hold on. I can't I There was a a body in my trunk? >> Right in that trunk. A young, probably maybe 5 to 8-year-old juvenile child. >> Oh my god. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Today I was assaulted by somebody. And they broke my pretty much wrist almost. They pulled on it and they I have a really long history with my ex. Um he's been like the master >> So so So what's up? I just have to stop you, okay? Cuz I'm going to let you go. I'm going to I'm going to go you stated you want to talk to an attorney. And A minute ago you stated you want to speak with an attorney. I can't answer your I can't answer any questions after that. I mean are you stating that you still you still want to speak with us? I mean >> Yeah, I guess I mean I'm just telling you a few things after the fact. If I tell you these stuff >> Having your the rights in mind that I had read to you that you stated that you understood, right? Your Miranda warning rights. Do you need me to reread those to you or anything? >> Um no. >> Okay, you understand each of them? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then you still you still want to speak with us? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um what do I have to be able to do? Is there anything I can do to maybe be let out? Like if I can give you like a name or somebody who it could have been then would you maybe be able to like let me out? >> Here's my question. You've already You were told that there's a young juvenile body found in the trunk of the car that you were driving, right? All right. >> Scary. >> How did that body get there? >> I'm not sure. >> Cuz you were driving that car from 10:00 p.m., right? >> I was driving the car. >> So let's let's try to let's just let's break it down. Cuz I mean I wasn't there. I don't know what happened. I I'm coming from the outside, right? My whole job is to just paint a picture. That's all I do, right? So, that's that's my only job here today. Is to just paint the picture of how this young innocent child was found in the trunk of your Impala. >> Do you know whose kid it is? >> Like you heard Officer Shaner. >> What? Okay. >> Um, we have to forensically identify the body because the the face is gone. It's missing its face. This little boy. No t-shirt on, little pair of shorts. Just missing a face. So, like I said, my job's to >> give you the name of somebody who I think it was? And all what I don't know. I'm So, my ex um is a drug dealer and he's involved in all of that. So, when he takes my car, when he does all that, then I don't really get involved. That's not my business. But, today he got really mad at me. I just kind of wanted to go home and >> Who was your ex? >> Um, look, from saying like if I can give you information, let me go. >> Well, I'm willing to listen to any information if it helps me paint this picture. I can't make a a promise or a claim to anybody about you know, you being here or you being released. I can't I can't make that promise. What I can do is I can attempt to paint this picture so we can figure out who this little boy is. And why is in the why is in the trunk of your Impala. >> I don't really want to do that if you guys are going to keep me in here. >> I'm just saying, I'm like this little boy is, you know, their parents are probably looking for him. I mean, if if this isn't something that you're involved in, we need to figure it out. We need to figure out who this little boy is. I mean, he's got he's got school to go to. I don't know if he's got a little sister who's worried about him or a family dog that's looking for him right now. I mean, that's somebody's little boy. Do you have any kids? >> I have a son. >> You have a son? How old is your son? >> Um six. >> Six years old? >> Yeah. >> What's your son's name? >> Eli. >> Is Eli with you? >> He is, but he's with my boyfriend. >> Where was Eli today? Cuz I mean, you know, we were at your apartment earlier. >> He's with my boyfriend. >> Who's your boyfriend? >> Um Rob. >> Rob? Okay. How long have you been dating Rob? >> Um a few months. >> And where's Eli with Rob? >> Um I'm guessing he took him home to his mom's for the weekend. >> Do you have a phone number for Rob? >> Um no. >> No? Does Rob take Eli quite a bit? Does he actually have the restraining order against you, you said? >> Yes. Well, he got it he tries to get custody, otherwise he's just kind of trying to hurt me. >> He's an [ __ ] >> Yeah, he's a really really angry person. He threatened to kill me multiple times. >> Instead of Instead of me calling him ex every time, does he have a name? >> Um >> No. >> What? I don't I don't want to keep telling you stuff about him because this is a really serious situation. >> about just a first name? I mean, I know I know Brad's first name. It's just a first name for the ex. >> Um I want to be able to go home today, and I don't really want to tell you anymore cuz he's not going to let me go home. >> Okay. Well, when you say that, that just means like to me that you don't want to help figure out who this little boy is. >> Well, of course I do. I mean, I'm sure any parent would want to like I get mad when my son you know, goes through stuff, so I'd want It's just I'm sorry, but like my ex's stuff is none of my business. >> Does Eli go to school? >> Yeah. >> Where does he go to school at? >> Um he's not in school today. >> He wasn't at school today? What school does he go to in town? >> Um yeah. Well, he's he's kind of home schooled. He goes to the Montessori school academy in the city. >> Does he go to like Does he ever gone to like Shirley Hills or any of the mom schools? >> Yeah, he went to Shirley Hills. >> Shirley? When's the last time he went to Shirley Hills? >> Um last week, but it's summer so we're kind of like doing the summer thing. >> Okay. So when was the When was the last time >> a minute. Can you tell me what I can do to go home? >> You need to help me paint this picture of how this 5 6 7-year-old boy was found dead in the trunk of the car that you were driving. Like I'm investigating a homicide. And I need to paint the picture. Like I can't I can't let >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> go if they're in a car with you know a dead body in the car. >> When my ex gets involved and he starts doing things to threaten me, then it's none of my responsibility. I'm a Christian. I'm a Christian. >> Is that something that happened today? >> My ex gets really angry. >> Okay. Well, can I make sure like is there somebody I can call that I can confirm that that's not Eli that we pulled out of the trunk of your car? >> Um well, you guys have my phone. >> Your phone was >> Did >> Was it in the car? >> There's no way Eli is dead. Um Yeah, my phone is in the car. Can I go home and check on my baby and check on my house and everything? >> Well, I thought you said Eli was with Rob. >> Yeah, I need to go home. I need to find my phone. You You took my car that had my phone. It had my money, and I had >> like right now I know that there's nobody at your house. I know that. >> Would I be able to go home if you release me? >> I need to I need to paint this picture. >> Okay, so maybe you can ask me questions, but I don't want to be under arrest. I didn't do anything. >> Well, the questions I'm asking are are we're trying to figure out. So, let let let's let's start asking some questions then. >> Okay, actually can I have a lawyer then if you're not going to let me go home? >> You want to speak to a lawyer? Go ahead. >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Okay. Well, at this time we're going to end the statement at 18:25 hours. I'll make sure that that's clear to go back. Looks good. >> So, why can't I go home? I'm going to tell you that's why I'm not telling you about my ex. Can you turn the recorder back on actually? I want to go home. You can't turn on the recorder? I just don't want to be held responsible for something that's not my fault. >> [clears throat] >> Can you guys let me go? Are you Are you ignoring me? Like I don't understand. >> Um I can't answer I can't ask you any questions. I can't answer any questions for you right now. >> You can answer that simple question, but let me go. I want to go home. >> See. Um you're likely not going home tonight. >> You're being nice, but why am I not? >> Um if you want to keep talking, we can keep talking, but you chose to um have a lawyer present before talking to a lawyer. >> Did you guys How does that work? How do I get a public defender? >> Um if you just say I want to talk to a lawyer, have a lawyer present, we're just going to be done talking to you. That's what we do. >> I have my phone call and call a public defender? How do I get a public defender? >> That's for um when you get booked in jail, for people that get booked in jail. That's when they get like they give you stuff like ones on the walls and stuff like that. >> Okay. >> Um >> Okay, I guess I'll keep talking. I'm not going to get a lawyer. I might as well let you guys know that. >> You can have If you want to not talk to us, that's your right, and you can stop talking at any time. But when you say I want to talk to a lawyer, >> You guys are making it really difficult. Can you guys just make a phone call to a lawyer? Like if I can get a lawyer back tonight, then why wouldn't we keep going and I can talk talk to you? >> Cuz we can talk to you at a later time. We're just going to say if you want If you want to stop talking to us and you want to lawyer up and quote as they say, then we're we're just going to stop talking to you, cuz that's the easiest thing for us to do. >> Okay, well can I tell you guys something off the record then? >> Everything's on the >> a right to tell you guys something off the record. >> Everything's on the record. >> She has now asked for a lawyer twice. Both times the questioning stopped. Both times she started it again herself. Watch what the investigators do not do. They do not argue with her, and they do not talk her back to the table. The second time, one of them simply says the hour out loud, 18:25, and ends the statement. Within a minute, she is the one asking whether the recorder can be switched back on. There is a second thing she has not done. She has been told a small boy is dead in her trunk. Every question she has put to them since has been about her own release. None has been about him. >> So. >> Okay. >> We we we don't You can say off the record. >> I'm I'm kind of angry right now because my ex involved me in some pretty horrible stuff. And um Um I have like multiple restraining orders against him and you guys can even tell every um threat and restraining order. There's bomb threats, gun threats, shotgun threats, murder threats and so I can prove that he's like capable of doing that in those restraining orders. Um he's he's violated the order of protection. Actually, I think I was just here like 2 weeks ago because of my house was broken into 2 weeks ago. And then occasionally because it's when I first got that order of protection, he was a meth dealer and I snitched on him cuz I wanted to leave and I wanted me and my baby to be safe. And so I snitched on him and the police did a complete raid of the house. They arrested a few of his friends, went to the higher-up meth dealers and started arresting them. They know my face, they know my name. Um and Tory has like a really really long history of of I mean a really really like big friend group of like meth smokers and all of them are really really possessive over my child. And I've tried to protect my child from Tory and everything he does cuz there's like drugs and he steals stuff and and occasionally here and there they reach out to me in the community and they'll be like, "Hey." They'll threaten to say something super threatening. I'm just sitting there scared like, "Oh, great." >> So did you say you Do you remember your Miranda warning, your your rights? >> Yeah. >> Do you remember those? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And are you now willing to speak to us again as this is Is this what you're doing? You're saying I'm willing to talk to you again? >> Sure. Yeah, cuz I could turn that recorder back on and you said no. >> And you understand that at any time if you no longer want to talk to us because you want to have a lawyer present, you can stop talking to us, correct? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, and are you saying you do want to talk to us again? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Um let's Can we go back and talk about you told my partner here that you were doing what from 10:00 to 6:00 this morning? >> I just told you everything I printed out about >> it. We got it. But I want to talk about this now. >> Okay, but I told you I'm needing a lawyer for that. Things that my ex threatens me of is not I'm not going to be held responsible. That should be covered for me by my >> if you can tell me how >> I was assaulted last night. >> If you could tell me how your ex is involved >> Well, that's what I was just trying to do when you changed the subject. I was assaulted last night. >> What time? >> Um >> [clears throat] >> It'd be like midnight. I was around this the area just looking for grocery stores and some of um my baby daddy's meth community guys reached out to me. I said I was in their car starting to smoke a cigarette with them and then they got really really mad at me. >> Where'd this happen? >> Uh over by like Minneapolis. And then they got really really mad at me. And they said that Tory's been my baby daddy. They said he's been really really mad. I said, "Well, I'm sorry, it's not my fault. I don't know you guys anymore. I don't associate with the beds anymore. So, can you please just leave us alone?" I said, "Well, I'm sorry, it's not my fault. I don't know guys anymore. I don't associate with the beds anymore, so could you please just leave us alone." We actually had court for a domestic violence restraining order like 2 days ago, which I tried to get myself added to and they denied it. So, I'm really upset about that because I fought really hard to get my son out of it on there and it they just don't have enough proof, I guess. But, >> And um Robin, you're somewhere at your apartment during this? >> [clears throat] >> Um yeah. And then they were threatening me and then they pushed me up against the car and assaulted me. And then I got in my car and I stayed in the way for >> Okay. And regarding the assault that you want to talk about, um you said 7:00 at midnight? >> About. >> Okay. But, you're doing DoorDash at like 10:00? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, were you Were you already down in Minneapolis doing DoorDash? >> Um InstaCart, yeah. >> Oh, InstaCart, sorry. So, what So, you were down in Minneapolis from 10:00 you started? Or do you not know? >> Seriously, nobody here has any proof. >> So, back to the assault that you want to talk to, you were down in Minneapolis, you're by yourself, you meet up with your ex's friends, you don't have a cigarette, and then why were you assaulted? >> Um cuz I snitched on them a few years ago. I said that Tory was stealing meth from >> Um so, Tory sent these guys? >> Yeah. >> Did Tory send them? >> Tory is very well known in like the Twin Cities area because of the meth community, so >> Let me ask you this, how did they find you if you were doing InstaCart deliveries? >> Um I don't know. He breaks his order of protection quite often. It's kind of like you know how when you're in the hood, you kind of just like watch cars drive by? You just kind of have people all over the place that recognize you. >> So, you were >> texting with them or calling them or >> No. >> They just all of a sudden you pulled over in a parking lot to have a cigarette and they found you? >> Yep. >> And nobody was with you to witness this? >> Um I believe there were other people there to witness it, but >> No one with you though? To be a witness? >> Um I don't remember it. >> No one in your car with you to witness this? >> I don't remember it. >> Do you know the location? Cuz there's everyone's got video cameras and maybe you can find it. >> Yeah, I can't give you a location. It was a long while ago. I don't remember the location. >> How did they assault you? >> They pushed me up against the car and kind of like punched at me. >> Were they saying >> like watch my back. >> Were they saying anything to you? >> Um well, first they were like, "Hey, what's up, you girl?" "Did you know that you better blah blah?" And this kind of thing. Like I don't know the vibe of it was really like "I know you snitched." kind of thing. >> Mhm. When that happened were all four of the tires on your car still like inflated? Cuz I know when we stopped you, you had like that one flat tire. >> Mhm. >> Was that something that was related to the assault? >> Yes, they were the people who stabbed a hole in my tire. >> With what did they use? >> I'm not sure. >> Okay. And that that occurred at the same time as the assault? >> Mhm. >> Okay. How long did the assault take place? >> Um a few minutes. >> And did you get um how did it come to an end? >> Um I guess he was done. >> He was done assaulting you? >> Yeah. >> Were you badly hurt? >> I mean, yeah. I mean, he >> a condom but >> So it was a sexual assault? >> Yeah. I was there for a reason. >> You didn't tell me that this morning. >> What? Do you know who they are? I have an order of protection. I just had court 2 days ago for order of protection and here he is still doing this. >> Did you report any of this at all to Minneapolis PD? >> No. >> Okay. >> I've reported order of protections before and violations before and they haven't ever arrested him. No. >> Okay. So what did you do after all this? >> Um >> Did you call anyone? >> No. >> Did you talk to anyone? >> No. >> So this happened at midnight and it lasted for how long? >> Few minutes. >> Just a few minutes? >> Probably more than >> How long did you end up staying in the parking lot there? >> Um I don't know, a few hours. >> Couple hours? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So then after the after the assault >> freedom >> there was a couple hours that we we stayed there, right? Were they still around? >> They were around >> They were around? >> They were around. They said they better watch my back. >> So when you finally did leave, what what where did you go? >> Um I guess I just drove around for a while in my rental trying to figure everything out. >> You drove where? >> I drove around for a while in my rental trying to figure everything out which is off sale off. >> What city did you drive What city? >> They stopped at pool and then I drove for a while. I didn't want to go home. I was just waiting. I didn't know what to do. I kind of just sat there for a long time. Then I went home. >> You went back to your apartment? >> Yeah. >> What time was that at? >> Uh I don't remember. >> Was the sun up or was it dark out? >> It was dark. >> It was dark out? >> Yeah. >> And what did you do when you got home? >> Um Well, now wait a minute. I had a question. >> Yeah. >> So, there's a lot more I want to tell you guys about what happened when they assaulted me, but I don't want to do that. >> That's what you need to do. >> even ask me what the guy looked like. You didn't even ask me any questions about the rape or what's going on. >> we're trying to get start to bottom. I don't like I don't like freezing your thought process for it. Like I said, all I try to do is just paint a picture. So, I like if if people are having a flowing process, I like to let them have that, and then we can come back and answer those questions. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we got >> But you didn't ask me anything I mean it normal questions I would be asking somebody right now is like, "Why did you make the mess community so mad? How did they have the resources to know when you you know, why you're at the grocery store? Why you're here?" But last time I told you that >> those ones for me. That's the only reason I didn't ask them right now. >> Last time I told the police anything about the mess community and it ended up going very very very very badly for me. >> Yeah. >> Very very badly. These are not people to to mess with. >> Are you related to a George? >> Why? >> Nothing. I just got a message cuz I think somebody was calling asking about you. >> Oh, yeah. Actually, can I call him back when we get there? >> I can't right now. But in the next step, we might be able to. What do you think >> he's calling for? >> Um Um he knows that I left a really abusive relationship with my baby daddy in the last He knows that it's a really domestic situation. He's probably thinking I'm here and freaking out, so he just wants to check on me. I just I hate being the person responsible for being in charge of covering their crap. They >> So, let me let me tell you just a little bit just of what what we've done today. And maybe it'll help answer a few more questions in relation to this. Um First off, I think I think we should cover your assault a little bit more. If there's >> a gun to my head. >> There's a gun now? >> Right now. >> You hadn't mentioned the gun before. You said that there was a knife involved. You said that there was >> there was going to be a gun there, [clears throat] I would have ran. >> Okay. So, do you know what happened? >> Do you want to Maybe I I need like a few minutes to start to talk to George. >> What do you mean? That's something to be arranged. Not at this moment, but But we got we got George calling because there was a young boy found in your car today. And that's that's why you're here today. And I'm sure that's why he's calling right now. So, today I think the reason that George is calling is that you're under arrest. You're here at the Royal Police Department. We're trying to figure out why this little boy who we don't even know who he is is in the trunk of your car. What was it like having to continually get bank orders and the stress that has to go with constantly wondering about if you're safe. But, what I'm struggling with right now is I'm struggling to figure out how that connects to today and how this morning I had a, you know, a conversation with, you know, Julissa on the street after a after a simple traffic stop and how we got to here right now. >> should have known, right? You guys stopped me on the side of the street. I'm babbling, all scared, like I had just been raped. And you guys didn't even notice. And you asked me why my window's broken and there's a rim missing off my tire. And you guys didn't even bother to ask me if I was okay. >> Should be there. [clears throat] That's the first thing that Officer We Bush asked you. He asked you if everything was okay right now. He talked to you for 4 or 5 minutes and you told him >> officer would be able to look at somebody that I and tell, like, are they really okay or are they just telling you they're okay? >> [clears throat] >> Well, the picture I really want to paint is uh is after this happened. Picture I want to paint is to figure out how that little boy wearing a little pair of shorts and a little shirt little shoes is deceased without a head in the trunk of your car. That's that's really what I and I I just think that >> I'm going to need a lawyer. >> When or how, though? I mean, we're at We're at 10:00, you stopped, assault happened. But that's when the rape occurred and the gun was pointed at both of your heads. And I haven't heard one little thing about a little boy in any of this. So, I mean here's the thing, I think there's a lot of things that have happened today. A lot of information has been >> I I just to save to prove to you that I'm innocent, I need the person the person's names who was there today, but I can't All I can tell you is that they're in the meth community. I can give you a description of them. I can tell you that they had weapons and I can tell you >> though? Innocent of what? >> Innocent What do you mean innocent of what? You guys are having me under arrest right now for something that I'm innocent of. >> Um >> [clears throat] >> You care if I talk? No, I'm good with that. Um do you look at that? >> And then let me just make it very clear, there's a lot more details I can tell you when I have a lawyer. What is that? >> This is some notes that I have. >> What's the picture on the back? >> The picture on the back? That's a picture of you this morning when I had contact with you. >> Yeah, I just got raped. You guys didn't even notice. >> Um do you mind if I break? Josue, we spent um all day gathering evidence from video surveillance from every business in the area. >> Do you think there's fingerprints on the car? Do you think >> um the whole day of forensics. We analyzed things. There's things that we know, like you were at the Shell gas station. We know that. We know what you did there. We know that cuz we have video. We know that because um evidence was collected. We have We know things, all right? We have >> Like What do you What do you >> We have a really good idea of who that little boy's in the trunk. And you do, too. We know things. And we wanted to come in here and at least give you We wanted to come in here and at least give you the opportunity to be honest, to help yourself. And you couldn't do it. >> I just tried to be honest with you guys. I told you exactly who it was and where >> We wanted to give you this opportunity. None of us wanted to, but we did. We wanted to give you this opportunity. We know. We know. We know exactly We know what. >> You know >> We know. >> Then arrest them. I'm done dealing with them. >> We did make an arrest today. Guess who it is. >> Me. >> You. >> the wrong arrest. >> So, this is your time. It's this person with blood and tissue matter and more blood and more tissue matter and mud and water. >> [clears throat] >> What do you mean blood and tissue matter? >> You know what? This is your time to talk. >> What does that mean blood and tissue matter? >> I think you have an idea of what it means. This is your opportunity to be honest with us. >> I was just honest with you and you're You're not listening to anything I'm saying. I just gave you the the information of these people who are harassing me. >> So, you're giving me a generic person on the math community. That's what I'm supposed to go on. I'm supposed to help I'm supposed to help this little this little child >> in the math community. >> This dead child in a trunk. >> Your son. >> The reason Gregory's calling right now, what am I supposed to tell Gregory? >> Tell him that there are still people in this world >> about this? >> doing bad bad things and I'm not going to be held accountable for somebody else's actions. >> She wants to say you were you were pulled over by the police driving your vehicle. >> Exactly. I had to swerve raped and you >> that has that has body parts, skull body parts, skull, frames of your son in the backseat. The back window is shot out and your son is dead in the trunk. >> How do you know? >> me what that looks like. In another dumpster, there's pieces of it, a backpack with his name on it. So, cut the crap. With surveillance video. Multiple witnesses. That see you. >> What witnesses? >> Pages of witnesses that called today. Once this broke the news. >> Pages. You uh you stand out. >> I stand out. >> The battery on my phone is almost dead from as many phone calls as I've talked to in a day today. >> Okay. Well, >> Your story about you going to Minneapolis, we know that's not true because we have you on video. >> I have multiple multiple >> you on video. >> Okay. I don't appreciate you guys. >> 11:23 p.m. >> I really need a lawyer because I'm not the person who did this. >> Okay. Okay. >> Do you believe me? Can you arrest the people who did this? I need a lawyer right now. >> We already did. >> I need a lawyer. >> I'll [clears throat] go see if that room is clear and we'll take her back to her cell. >> No. Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. Okay. Sit back down. >> second here. >> Sit back down. I'm not done talking. >> Well, which is it? Do you want a lawyer or do you want to talk? >> I want to talk. But you guys yelled at me after I heard that I'd been raped >> Are we just going to [ __ ] each other or are we actually going to tell the truth? >> you. I'm not bullshitting you. I've just been raped and you're sitting here screaming at me. >> Because we know things. >> Sit down. >> We know things. And when you tell stories that we know and can prove are not true, we get kind of like, what's the point of this? >> Yeah. >> What are we doing? >> Okay. >> So, I know Julissa wasn't in Minneapolis at 10:00 p.m. or midnight. We can just Yeah. I don't know what you >> I was. >> So, we can we can keep doing this or we can start talking some truths. >> Well, I think it was like I left my house at about 10:00 p.m. It was in Minneapolis at about 10:00. So, are you guys going to get me a rape kit or what? >> Just just just tell us another version. >> Yeah. Yeah, we What you just said now was not true yourself. We know that. >> Did you just say it's not true that I have been raped? >> Your timeline isn't accurate or true. So, we can be done. You don't want to >> What do you do when people you're talking to don't believe you? You guys don't believe I have been raped? I'm not lying and I'll prove it. Whose little boy is this? >> You know whose little boy it is. >> [snorts] >> My baby boy? Do you think it's my baby boy? I'm a good parent. I'd do anything to protect my son. I just had a court 2 days ago for a restraining order. Look it up if you don't believe me. >> I have it. >> The order of protection, you have all that? >> Mhm. >> Okay, then after seeing all that, why are you blaming me? >> For 40 minutes, the lead investigator repeats one phrase. All he wants to do is paint a picture. He says why out loud. He does not like freezing somebody's thought process. So, he lets her account run, and it keeps growing. A wrist becomes an assault, an assault becomes a rape, and a knife becomes a gun, which he catches in a single sentence. Only when the account has finished growing do they put the evidence down in order. The businesses, the forensics, the gas station, the dumpster, the backpack with his name on it. Then four numbers, 1123. Watch what she argues with after that. Not who the boy is, the clock. >> If this is accusing me of lying and I'm going to do a rape kit or anything. Can you tell me about my car? What did you find in my car? So I'm being framed for some things that I didn't do. >> I'm no longer asking you any questions involved with this case. It's twice now that you've asked for an attorney. And at this point in time I'm going to I'm going to be done >> [clears throat] >> In the in the times that we've spoke here, you've done nothing but lie to me based on everything that I I know. That I know everything that I have at this time. I know that you're So we're just we're just going to wait here until uh Okay. We ain't stopped talking. >> She just stopped talking. >> stopped talking to me. He accused me of lying about the rape. >> Well, um you'll see how I know that because you said that you were you were left by yourself and we have you leaving your apartment with your son at 11:23 p.m. >> I'm aware. >> And where's where's your son now? >> Um I'm not sure. They took him. >> What did you do with your son? >> Um he was working with me and then they came up to me and said, "Hey, you're Tory's baby mama, right?" And I said, "Yeah." And we just started talking. And they said I better watch my back if I let them the heart family. And then they said why don't you come with us and then I got raped. >> So how come initially you said that you left by yourself and you specifically said Rob and your son were at home last night? >> Because I was hoping you guys would ask me to call Tori so that I could prove >> So what happened to your son? >> Um they took him. >> Who? They took him where? >> Um I was assuming when they wanted to take him they were going to take him to one of their meth like the cook house and then they took him to Tori's house. >> And they did that? >> Yeah. >> And then what? >> Um then they had us held at gunpoint and then I got raped. >> And what happened to your son? And you have no idea where he's at now? >> No. >> You haven't seen him since? >> No. >> Okay. Um >> I found out after I don't know what they did. >> So what did they do? >> Um they're just really bad people. They hurt people and they hurt >> I want a lawyer. >> Did Did you say you want a lawyer? Okay. Um >> Because I've snitched on them so many times. >> That's why you want a lawyer? Not because you're a suspect but because you're afraid of >> Oh no, I want a lawyer but they're not my suspects. >> And we don't know where your son is right now. >> We don't know where your son is. >> Well we do. >> Yeah, we do. >> We do. But she she doesn't but she wants the lawyer for that story. >> Got it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Got it. >> You guys are treating me like a criminal. >> Do I feel >> Check what are you checking on? >> It's It's going to take you back yet. >> Can I go home? >> You're not going on. You're under arrest. >> I have restraining orders to prove to you I'm not lying. You didn't just like pull somebody over and now I'm giving you a [ __ ] story about somebody holding a gun to my head. Like they literally raped me and I have court documents on court documents proving my baby baby daddy is really really bad. He threatened me and my son. He said he would shoot us with a shotgun if I ever left him. He would bomb my family's house. He would blow me up. He would drive my car off a bridge. And now here we are with this happening which I'm not going to take responsibility for it. And you're telling me that you don't believe me. Just look at all those order of protections. >> Sacred Square? Sacred site? Yeah. Yeah. Um Just that. I'm just going to Um You're Yeah. You're here and arrested and um will be booked and charged with murder. >> What? >> Um you were the last person to be seen with your son. >> That's not true. I just told you I was raped. >> You have a lot of blood or that we collected from your hair, your body. >> I just told you I was raped. >> all over your car. >> Are you listening to me? I just told you I was raped. >> found in the trunk of your car along with the weapon that is forensically examined and is probably going to have some evidence that may connect you. >> I just told you I was raped. >> you're charged with murder and you're going to be booked into the Hennepin County Jail. >> I need a lawyer right now. That's not true. I didn't murder anybody. It's a lie. I'm innocent. >> You can come with me. You you your paperwork there. >> get a like right now? >> You can leave that right there. You can leave your feet there right there. Just leave your purse down. >> You can leave that right here. >> No, I want to be >> You can leave your purse. You can leave your purse. I got it. You no longer being questioned. >> You're really aggressive. Are you going to give me a rape kit? >> Uh you're going to sleep with me for now. Take that from you. And we're not going to question you anymore. What's that? >> Julissa Thaler was charged that Monday with second-degree murder. A Hennepin County Grand Jury later indicted her for first-degree premeditated murder. She did not testify. Her defense called no witnesses. On the 8th of February, 2023, the jury deliberated for under 2 hours before convicting her of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder. 8 days later, Judge Jay Quam sentenced her to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Offered a final word, she said she was innocent. Eli Hart had been returned to her full custody 10 days before he died. He was 6 years old. If you value real police interrogations, critical moments, and the investigative strategies that uncover the truth, subscribe to Evidence Lab Interrogation and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next interrogation. Until next time, stay observant because in the interrogation room, every word matters.