Erin Moriarty

The Davis Police Department had asked for his help the night before their sit-down with Daniel Marsh.

About an hour into the interview, Campion opened the door to the room.

I spoke with Special Agent Campion in 2018, five years after he questioned Daniel.

Daniel was no ordinary suspect, and I wanted to hear more about how he approached the interview.

And your then hope is to get him to admit what he did.

Campion started the conversation by asking Daniel about his family.

Campion then got Daniel to confirm something his friend Alvaro had already told the police.

Daniel said that his parents divorced after his mother had an affair with a woman.

In the interview, you're not just asking him about the crime at all.

You're starting just talking to him.

What's the purpose of the beginning of the interview?

One of those themes Campion wanted to pursue was trauma.

He guessed that Daniel might relate to hearing about how people struggle, like Daniel did, with mental health.

Campion spoke gently with Daniel and thought he had struck a chord with the teenager.

Daniel perked up as Special Agent Campion talked about the psychology of criminals and his mission in law enforcement to heal people.

They agreed that people might do horrible things, but that doesn't make them horrible people.

Campion's approach to questioning fascinated me.

I asked him where he was going with it.

Daniel was opening up more and more.

Campion learned that Daniel's father suffered from back and neck injuries.