Morrie Confesses To Detectives

Tankleff was 17 years old when his parents were bludgeoned and stabbed. He told police he found them on Sept. 7, 1988, in their waterfront home in Belle Terre. His mother was dead; his father was gravely wounded and died a few weeks later.

After questioning Tankleff confessed to butchering the parents with a large knife and a barbell rod. Next he took a shower, changed, and then called police.

Wealthy Long Island Couple

He was an insurance broker who started a chain of bagel shops. Young Morris allegedly killed them and took a shower.

Blood Everywhere

Police arrived at a brutal crime scene. Marty Tankleff told a 911 operator his father was still alive and "gushing blood" from the neck. His mother was nearly decapitated and already dead in the master bedroom when investigators arrived.
 

 Morris Is Arrested

He was arrested on the spot.

He Changes His Story And Blames Father's Partner

He claims the killer was Jerry Steuerman, the dead father's business partner.

A Jewish Psychiatrist

Dr. Herbert Siegel, a defense psychiatrist, testified that Marty Tankleff could have confessed falsely when confronted by aggressive homicide investigators, who lied when they told him that his own father had implicated him.

Morris Is Convicted

As the verdict was read the teen was visibly shaken.

Verdict Overturned

Seventeen years later Barry Scheck discovers new evidence that the now dead business partner did it, and young Morris is released. Morrie's defense fund.