The Kansas CW | What's the Difference Between Person of Interest and Suspect?
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by Denise Hnytka (BUTLER COUNTY, Kan)
They've been under suspicion for weeks. But now, the adoptive parents of Adam Herrman are being called suspects in the boy's disappearance. The Butler County Sheriff previously called them 'persons of interest'.
What do those terms mean? What do they say about the investigation?
We talked to Wichita attorney Steve Joseph. He is not involved in the case, but says that those terms legally mean nothing. He says a 'person of interest' is a just relatively new way to describe a suspect.
Joseph believes law enforcement uses both terms to talk about a person they believe could have involvement in a crime.
Doug and Valerie Herrman have told Eyewitness News that their 11 year old adoptive son Adam ran away in 1999. When he didn't come home after a few weeks, they say they were afraid to report him missing. They told people that the boy had gone back to the state's custody.
Steve Joseph says it makes sense that the parents would be the first place to start an investigation.
"It's just drama," he said. "People like it. It's fun. It's exciting. It's interesting. It's what makes it a big deal that they're suspects now. But it doesn't mean much as part of a practical investigation."
The Hermann's have not been charged with any crime and are denying allegations by other family members that Adam was abused. They've now hired separate attorneys. Joseph says this is an appropriate step in the case to avoid a conflict of interest.
"You can't represent both people because their interests may not be identical. They are each entitled to separate counsel, separate advice," said Joseph.
Eyewitness News talked to Doug Herrman's attorney, Dan Monnat. He says calling Doug or Valerie a 'person of interest' has no legal significance.
"It's no surprise that the parents of a missing child would be automatically considered by law enforcement as suspects in the case," said Monnat.
