The TV Zone

Semi-big news from the Martin Tankleff front: CBS News has just now announced details of his first (and so far only) TV interview on "48 Hours Mystery," to air Saturday at 10. Some quotes below. Erin Moriarty handled the interview.

This interview is hardly a surprise: "48 Hours Mystery" was certainly a key media outlet in getting him out of jail and has covered the case for years. Moriarty's July 15 2006 story raised the question of "new evidence" which helped in leading up to the events of recent weeks. (A 2004 broadcast was even ntroduced as evidence in the recent legal proceeding.) So no shocker that Tankleff go to Erin for his post-jail chat.

I spoke a little while ago with Moriarty - a terrific veteran crime reporter - who said that in her interview he was "incredibly normal....I've covered people who have been convicted or were sitting in prison for a long time and he immediately stands out. He seems untouched by the experience, not hardened. He explained to me that he always knew he was going to get out, so he focused on getting out and helping other inmates. He said, 'I never lived in prison. I resided there....I always knew I was going to get out.'"

She added, "I just don't believe that Marty Tankleff had anything to do with the murder of his parents."

Here's an excerpt from the CBS presser:

"Throughout the years, many have speculated that Tankleff’s confession was coerced and that he was the victim of a steadfast and corrupt cop who refused to reconsider his conclusions and pursue other leads, even after the crime-scene evidence raised doubts. And it seems that what was once speculation may now be proved true thanks to new evidence, new witnesses, a 48 HOURS report and some high-profile-support from award-winning actor James Gandolfini. In late 2007, Marty Tankleff got the news he and his supporters had been dreaming of – his murder conviction was overturned and he was released. But as Tankleff adjusts to his newfound freedom, the question remains – will it last?"

And some quotes:

On his confession:
“It was a constant barrage that ‘Marty, we know you did it. Everything will be okay, just tell us you did it. We know you did it’…It’s like having an 18 wheeler driving on your chest and you believe that the only way to get that weight off your chest is to tell the police whatever they want to hear – even admitting to murder.”

On his trial:
“I think every emotion ran through me, scared, fearful, but I was also hopeful because I knew I was innocent and I always believed that innocent men don’t get found guilty…I didn’t live in prison. I resided there.”

On adjusting to freedom:
“The shock was the technology. Sending an email across the world and getting a response back in three seconds. [I] never knew that was possible.”

On facing a new trial:
“At the moment I was not thinking about it because it was the first time I was essentially a free person wearing street clothing…How good it was to wake up in the morning, be able to make my own cup of coffee, walk out the door and watch the sunrise.”

(Photo: CBS News)