The Case Against Michael Politte | Sneak peek | Forensic Files

[Music] there's nothing in this world that anybody can ever do to me that's going to be worse than what I've
seen I received a call from the sheriff's department that there had been a homicide
it was very devastating there wasn't a lot of murders in Washington County everyone knew everyone they all knew
Michael they all went to school with him everyone knew Rita I was really close with my mom
she was always at a football game it's my baseball game she always had became quarter out she was recording me come on
son [Applause] this murder was as brutal as they come [Music] the First Responders called this crime
scene horrific there's blood all over the room some sort of object was used to hit Rita
at least once Mike finds her body burning on the floor of her room I was scared to death I didn't know what
to do I didn't know who to call I didn't know I didn't know what to do my name is Michael pulley and when I was
14 years old I was arrested for the murder of my mother would either one of you ever ever think
and be honest with me that he might hurt your mother no I never thought he would
hurt her mom know she was very close with Michael you know he was her baby tell me about December 4th 1998
you remember that evening vividly [Music] I was home and then I see headlights coming down the driveway and it's my mom
and uh she comes into the house and she said I love you good night and I'll see you in the morning is that the last
thing your mom ever said what's the last thing she ever said to him next thing I remember I woke up and I
see a light Haze in my room I opened my door I could see her feet and she was on fire for the waist up
and I could hear it what could you hear crack Into the Fire [Music] did investigators focus on Michael
immediately immediately he is a suspect from the moment they arrive at the scene
they said this kid didn't act the way they expected he wasn't emotional enough you look like a pretty good suspect you
were a person who loved to set fires you had had arguments with your mother you were having trouble in school
but none of that suggests anything about murder were there any injuries on Michael on your brother none any blood
found on him on his clothing no and no weapon no let me ask you a question what 14 year old kid could
commit a crime that violent that vicious and not leave any any forensic evidence
behind whatsoever that's not possible Michael was convicted of murdering the second degree he was sentenced to life
Michael did you kill your mom no and there's only one individual that I know that hates her that much to do that to
her [Music]

At 14 he was accused and later convicted of murdering his mother. But he claims he knows who the real killer is and he’s still out there. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports Saturday, Nov. 26 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Crime. Social justice. Impact. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.

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Brief Summary

Michael Pulley recalls discovering his mother's brutal murder and his wrongful conviction at age 14.

Key points

The Brutal Murder. A shocking homicide shakes a close-knit community.
Michael's Last Memory. Michael recalls the last words his mother said to him.
The Investigation Begins. Michael becomes the prime suspect in his mother's murder.
The Conviction. Michael is convicted of second-degree murder despite his claims of innocence.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I received a call from the sheriff's department that there had been a homicide.

The moment of receiving devastating news.

0:17WatchNov 23, 2022

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