I recently conducted a polygraph test at the Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California. Doug Tjapkes, the founder of a Michigan-based innocence project, retained me to test Larry Vanderberg, a man who Tjapkes felt had been wrongfully convicted of improperly touching three children. Tjapkes told me that the children’s accusations had changed several times over the course of the investigation, and that it seemed that they had been carefully coached prior to their testimony at the trial. However, the jury believed the children, and sentenced Mr. Vanderberg to 25 years to life in prison.
My polygraph test revealed that Mr. Vanderberg was telling the truth when he denied ever touching any of the children improperly. His family has set up a website that contains comprehensive information about the case (truthcafe.net). Hopefully, someone in the system will take another look at the evidence in this case. It may be that a man’s life has been unjustly taken away from him.
Tags: Doug Tjapkes, false charges, innocence project, innocent, polygraph, Wrongful Conviction
October 8, 2009 at 5:37 AM |
Dr. Rovner is arguably the finest and most knowledgeable polygraph examiner in the U.S. He also has a heart for those who have been wrongly convicted. For those who have a family member or friend wrongly convicted and behind bars, I highly recommend that you contact him. Doug Tjapkes, President, HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS, P.O. Box 687, Grand Haven, MI 49417.