A California city, Fontana, has been ordered to pay $900,000 in damages to Thomas Perez Jr. after police officers pressured him into falsely confessing to the murder of his father, who was still alive. This event, which took place in 2018, was described by the judge as "psychological torture."
The incident began on August 7, 2018, when Thomas's father, Thomas Perez Sr., went missing after taking the family dog for a walk. The dog returned home, but his father did not. Concerned, Thomas reported his father missing to the police. Instead of receiving assistance, Thomas endured 17 hours of grueling interrogation by Fontana police officers.
During the intense questioning, officers falsely claimed that his father was dead and that they had found his body. They pressured Thomas to confess to the crime, using aggressive tactics. The police department later justified their actions by saying Thomas appeared "distracted and unconcerned" about his father's disappearance. They also pointed to alleged bloodstains and a police dog's detection of a corpse.
Despite his repeated denials, Thomas was subjected to extreme psychological pressure. Interrogators suggested that his brain might be suppressing troubling memories and even threatened to euthanize his dog. They brought the dog into the interrogation room, coercing Thomas by implying that the animal knew he was guilty.
Surveillance footage obtained by The Independent captured Thomas's distress as he lay on the floor next to his dog, tormented by the officers' accusations. The footage showed Thomas in severe emotional distress, screaming, and attempting to harm himself. He was also denied access to his medication for depression, stress, asthma, and high blood pressure.
The relentless pressure eventually led Thomas to falsely confess to his father's murder. In reality, his father was alive and had been staying at a friend's house without his mobile phone. After the false confession, Thomas attempted suicide but was rescued by the police. He was subsequently admitted to a mental hospital.
The situation took a turn when Thomas Perez Sr.'s daughter informed the police that her father was alive and visiting her in northern California. However, the police did not immediately inform Thomas, who remained in the mental hospital for three days.
