You might get pregnant and give birth, but you are not a mother. You do not care about these children. >> I don't care about my children? >> You do not. >> Cuz I don't want to tell you somebody name I don't know. >> Absolutely. >> Cuz I don't know their name. >> You were with them, Jasmine. >> That don't mean nothing. >> On the evening of July 21st, 2020, a gunshot was fired inside a house near 105th and Daphne on the north side of Milwaukee. A neighbor heard it. Moments later, that neighbor watched a young woman run out of the front door carrying a small child covered in blood. The child was 2-year-old Za'Miya Stephens. She was pronounced dead while paramedics were transporting her to the hospital. The woman carrying her was her mother, Jasmine Daniels. She had been living in the basement of that house for about a week with Za'Miya and her 3-year-old son. Daniels first told officers the shot had come from outside the house. Officers securing the scene found a trail of blood leading in through the front door and down to the basement. She gave them a different account. She was arrested and taken downtown. At 3:00 the following morning, two Milwaukee detectives sat down across from her. This is the interrogation of Jasmine Daniels. >> So, I'm Jake and this is Dan. >> Okay. >> I'm pleased to meet you. >> Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet >> Sorry what's going on right now, all right? So, me and Dan want to talk to you about what's going on. Uh You want to just take a seat there? [snorts] You ever been arrested before? >> No. >> No? >> Mhm. >> First time? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I want to get some background information on you. I want to get like your dad's name, uh all of your kids' names, your siblings, like brothers and sisters, and uh and all that. Uh and then we want to talk to you about what happened, okay? But every time someone gets arrested when they're under our custody we have to read them their rights, okay? So, before I start talking to you, I got to read you your rights real quick. Okay? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer before questioning and to have a lawyer present with you during questioning. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you at public expense before or during any questioning if you so wish. If you decide to answer questions without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop the questioning and remain silent at any time you wish and the right to ask for and have a lawyer at any time you wish including during the questioning. Do you understand each of these rights? It's got to be a yes or no. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do you want to talk to us now? >> No. >> What's that? >> No. >> You don't? >> No. >> Okay. >> I would like a lawyer. >> Okay. >> No. I would answer. >> What's that? >> I would like a lawyer in in in this process. I would. >> So, you want an attorney present for the during the questioning? >> I will not take any response. I want to move question. >> What's that? >> Next question. >> So, you don't Let me explain. I want to make sure Correct. You don't want an attorney now. You don't want to know You want You want us to talk to you. Is that correct? >> No. >> I need a lawyer. >> I'm going to step on my first time. Go get a lawyer. Here you go. >> Don't you have to have one here? No. >> No, we don't have one here right now. We can try and contact the public defender's office in the morning. >> How long with this tape? >> It's 3:00 a.m. right now. I mean lawyers come in probably 9:00 or so. >> Oh, okay. I'll talk. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> All right. I just have to verify this one. So so you don't you do not want an attorney present. Is that correct? >> No. >> Okay. >> Okay. Mhm. >> So you want to talk now. You don't want an attorney present. I I have to make sure sure sure about this. All right? >> want an attorney present. I will talk. >> Okay, cuz we can always call the public defender's office too. So but So you mean you want to talk now. Is this correct? Let me check in here. Do you have to say yes or say yes? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Do you have some uh How'd you do in school? >> I was I was okay. I was >> You were? Okay, what year did you graduate? >> I No, I didn't need to I was 49. 11 grade >> Okay. >> And go back cuz I couldn't make my first day. >> And where were you going? >> Um Squash Academy >> Squash Academy? >> Yeah, Squash Academy. >> Okay. So, what kind of um classes did you take? >> Um I did um it was I don't know exactly what it was for, but I know I was diagnosed with it. >> Okay. And can you explain to us what kind of that means? >> Um Well, how it was explained to me is that it was um >> Okay. Did they ever say like maybe what level you're at when you were in when you were in high school? >> Uh yeah. >> Okay. >> I was on um I was in high school. I was on the level Well, I think I was dealing with that for >> Okay. And how were you with like reading and writing and stuff? >> I read and I wrote. >> Okay. And when the teachers taught stuff, did you understand it or was it difficult to understand? >> Um it Most of it, yes. Sometimes it's it it was So, when one of them would teach us something, the other one would go around and help us with with anything we needed help with, or help with understanding it or anything. >> Okay. All right. And what kind of grades did you get? >> I was a good student. I got A's and B's. >> Okay. >> Hold on to what you have just watched, because 6 years later a panel of appeals judges would spend almost an entire written opinion on it. She was read her rights. She was asked whether she wanted to talk. She said no. She said she would like a lawyer. Under Miranda, that ends the interview. Questioning stops until counsel arrives. What she was told instead was that the public defender's office could be contacted in the morning, that it was 3:00 a.m., that lawyers come in around 9:00. 6 hours in an interview room on the night her daughter died. She said she would talk. Then listen again to what one of the detectives says a few seconds later, that they always call the public defender's office. In Wisconsin, that office has kept an attorney on call 24 hours a day since 1978, and Milwaukee police use the number several times a month. Notice too what the detectives collect in the minutes immediately after she agrees to speak, how far she got in school, what she says she was diagnosed with, what she found difficult to understand in a classroom. All of it on tape before a single question about the gun. Everything you are about to watch was obtained after that exchange. >> Uh when's when's the last time you drank any alcohol? >> I don't normally drink. I'm not used to it. >> Okay. Have you drank in the last 24 hours? >> No. >> Okay. How about any illegal drugs in the last 24 hours? Smoke any marijuana or anything else? >> I smoked some marijuana, yeah. >> Okay. All right. And the reason I ask is we just have to determine if you're under the influence of anything. No, you're not high or drunk? Okay. Do you understand what we're both saying? >> Yes. >> Do you understand what he's just saying? >> Yes. >> Okay. And are there drugs besides marijuana? No. Um you will understand that you're at the Rocky Police Department building downtown. Correct? Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. You know you're in custody? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> You all right. It happened so quick. And it happened so fast. So so fast. Okay. And recently I was I recently spoke to prior colon. And I was going to get rid of it and throw it away cuz I didn't know where it came from. I don't know where it And then I mean you know put myself in that position. I was finding it. And then before I even got the chance to get rid of the firearm. I took it around I can't imagine what he's thinking right now. He He thinking you're only three. I need to I want to see I know he did. I know he did. I know he did. Oh, baby. He Oh, baby. Oh, baby. >> [laughter] >> I know he did. Oh, baby. Is that what I'm about to traumatize my son? You're about to be so traumatized. He hurt his baby. >> Where was the gun at? >> It was in there. I don't know where I put it. >> Sure, start there. >> I think it was in a park. [clears throat] >> [snorts] >> What park? >> I don't know. >> [clears throat] >> What park was it at? I'm not sure. I was late to the party. >> How long ago was this? >> Um a >> Okay. And what did the gun look like? It's >> Gray and black. >> Gray? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Is it a revolver or is it a semi-automatic? Do you know the difference? A revolver is sort of like you got the cylinder, that circle where it just sort of like this. So, the bullets go in here in a circle like that. It's not like that. So, it's a semi-auto which is where it gets you you can pull the the scratches like that. >> So, after finding the gun in the park, you took it home? Okay. >> I took that. I didn't even clean it. I didn't. I mean, honestly, I mean, to be honest, to be honest, I don't know too much about guns, so I really didn't know too much about it being uh one already up in the chamber. >> Mhm. >> I didn't know nothing about that. >> Okay. >> But but I had it wasn't no bullets or nothing in it. It was just empty. Like I said, it was never touched or nothing. I just hid it. I was going to throw it cuz I didn't know where it came from or >> Mhm. >> what it You know, nothing. So. >> So, did you ever look in the chamber? Never looked? Okay. Did it Do you know what a a clip is? Magazine? Okay, did it have that in the gun? >> It It did, but it had no bullets in it. >> Okay. >> And And the um the holster, the case holder didn't have a bullet in it. It didn't have a bullet. So, I didn't Like I said, I don't know too much about guns, so I didn't think nothing of it till later. >> Okay. And And where do you keep the gun at? At your house? >> Well, against me, keep it I usually keep it under me and not under me under me, but like I used to keep it in the in the basement part on the top of the thing. Just so they won't get to it. >> Okay. And now, where was it tonight? Did you want it right there? It's on the couch right there? I like >> I said it. Yeah, I already said it right there. >> She said it right there. Okay. Or I just circle it. >> Yeah. >> What Was there a cushion? >> Yeah. >> So, there was You set it on top of the cushion. Okay. Okay. And now, how far back on this? >> Right up on the edge. The front right there. >> Okay, right on the front? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And now, when you when you put the gun there, where was your son at? >> Upstairs. >> Okay. You're not sure where it came from, but Where did this come from? Okay. >> He didn't know about it. He probably thought it was a toy. You don't hurt people. He didn't know. >> So, what what did you see James do? >> Didn't see James do anything. I heard it and I seen the round. Okay. Okay. You know. Excuse you. I did it. Yeah. Um He did it. Got the crying, got the screaming, got the yelling. I want to see my baby. Oh, no. >> And what happened with the gun? >> I don't know. >> [snorts] >> Well, after the shot fired, where did the gun go? >> I don't know, sir. >> What? >> What did the gun do? Did it go off? I don't know. I don't know. I grabbed my I grabbed I grabbed I I don't know. Shot him got him. >> Who else was down here besides you, James, and >> Nobody just >> Who was upstairs? >> Mhm. Mhm. >> What family member? This grandma? >> [clears throat] >> Who can verify your story? You wouldn't know that. Who's in the house? Nobody really know. Nobody can verify. They just heard yelling and screaming and they seen When the gun was on on the couch here, do you know which way the barrel was pointing? >> [clears throat] >> But when you put the gun down, which way was it pointing? Okay. All right, so you had been holding the gun, right? And when you're holding it, what are you doing with it? I don't I wasn't supposed to have it. That's the point I'm making. Sure. But you have this gun and you put it on the couch, okay? So prior, before doing that, what are you doing with this gun? >> [snorts] >> I did it. >> I thought it was protection. You know I didn't have no bullets or nothing. >> My question is you put the gun down on the couch, right? >> Mhm. >> Okay. So you were holding on to the gun. What were you doing with the gun? >> I was about to get ready to take it away. >> Okay. >> It wasn't supposed to be It was something that was fun. >> Where was the gun before you put it on the couch? >> Well, the side of the heater. From my babies. >> Okay, other side of what? >> It was the side of the couch. >> Okay, can you point to where the gun was? Okay. So are you saying down behind the couch? >> Yeah, that's where I feel safe with hiding it when I had it. >> Okay. So you live in the basement and where do you sleep? >> The couch. >> Okay. And where does your son sleep? >> Couch. >> Okay. And >> See. >> So all three of you sleep on the couch? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Is there a normal spot for you? A spot you usually pick to fall asleep? Over here? >> Mhm. >> Okay, and how >> And >> Um like what is he able to like pick some of this stuff up? These cushions? Is he that strong? >> Yeah. >> He is. Okay. All All Does he ever hit you with the pillow? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. My kids like to take the cushions and make forts and stuff out of them. >> Yeah. >> Y'all do? Okay. All right. So, he really [clears throat] gets into some stuff, huh? >> How can I say this? What Um wonder. I don't know. A wonder or he wanted like Like this could just be right there. Um you know. >> Yeah. Always checking on stuff, right? >> And she wanted to see like what what can I do with this? You know, try and steal like stuff like that. >> Yeah. And and you as mom what what do you do to you know, either promote that or get them to to stop getting into your stuff? What do you What How do you get them to listen? Or is he like my kids? >> Don't listen. >> Don't listen. All right. It's like It's like sometimes you're talking to a brick wall. Right? >> It just don't. >> Okay. So, after uh which shot, do you know which way the bullet went like when the when the gun was fired? Do you hear anything else? >> No. I just No, I didn't know. Um I didn't know exactly where it was. I don't know. I can't say. I did I did. I just know like I said, I'm good. Mhm. I walked up the stairs clean and crying and yelling and blood just You said what was he wearing? >> What was he wearing? >> He only had some shorts on. He was in a bed. He was in a bed. He was in a bed. And he like, "What happened? What happened?" And you know, I'm just yelling and screaming. And he just kept saying, "What happened? What happened?" "What happened?" >> What did you tell him? >> I couldn't talk to him. I was yelling. I was just screaming. I was just "Somebody help me. Somebody get help. Somebody call the police. Somebody do something. Somebody help me. Save I like I didn't think about none of that. I just to be okay. That's all. >> And then what happened after that? >> And I saw him. I'm on the ground. And he's standing there. And then waiting. And then they just waiting. >> So, when you have this gun, how do you hold the gun? When you were possessing it? >> By the handle. >> By the handle? And where's your finger at? >> I threw it when no one was there. When no one was there. When no one was >> That's not what we asked. >> Yeah, it did. He just said where was your finger at next. When you How was I holding it? And I said with the handle on it this. So, you asked to know where my finger is. My finger was in the handle. Every time I held the gun, it was in the handle. So. >> Okay, in the handle, you mean like on the trigger or >> No, the handle part where the trigger is at. The handle. Like that side down. >> Let me get a gun for you. It's a fake fake gun for you. I ain't trying to scare you. So, you hold the gun like that? And you hold it like that to do what? >> I held the gun like that but like I barely even had like held the gun. I only held it once and that's when I first found it. When I first found it. I grabbed it from right here. >> Okay. And you carried it home like that? >> I didn't carry it home like that. >> Okay. How did you carry it home? >> Carried it home, put it in a I wrapped it up in a jacket. >> Okay. So, by the edge of the park, you wrapped it up in your jacket like like your jacket's off or you have a jacket on and you put it in your jacket. >> My jacket is off. I wrapped it up in >> You just decided tonight is the night that you're going to you're going to get rid of it. >> I was going to get rid of it yesterday. >> Okay. Where were you going to get rid of it? >> Actually, honestly, I was I was going to take it back where I got it from. >> Just throw it in the park? >> Give it back where I was at. >> I wasn't feeling right. I wasn't more place to even grab it or touch it or take it from where it was at. >> Okay. Okay, now that we've had a little time, which way was the the barrel pointing when you put it on the cushion? Okay, so meaning which way is it pointing when it's on the on the couch? Okay. Pointing towards the corner? Okay. Oh, is this about the size of the gun that you had? Yes? Okay. All right. Is this your shape? Okay. Is there What's different about the gun that you had that's different from this other than the color? This? Okay. How about hold it again? How about the weight? Similar in weight? Okay. All right. And and yours you think it's about this tall? How much do you weigh? >> I weigh I weigh 20 20 lbs. >> 20 20 lbs? >> Maybe like 30 30 lbs at the most. >> How How much do you think you weighed this morning? >> 15 lbs in the morning. It was 16 lbs in the morning. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Have you ever shot a gun before? >> No. >> Do you Do you think the story that you're telling us is even possible? >> Yes. >> You do? >> I weigh 15 lbs. It's possible. >> All right. Okay. Is it the truth? >> Yes, sir. >> Did you accidentally >> Can you say it again? >> Did you accidentally >> No. >> The reason why I'm asking this is because How You said you weighed somewhere between 24 and 30 lbs. If you've ever shot a gun, it's pretty difficult to pull a trigger. >> With that even though You don't know. >> What does that mean? >> It won't pick up anything that he above that. Like when we go grocery shopping, when we go get stuff, he wants to hold the bleach. He wants to hold the the big pine salt. Like he wants to do things. He wants to do older things. >> Okay. Uh so I just want to be clear that you know he's the one that shot him in the arm. What's that? >> Yes. >> Cuz that that'll be a That'll be a lot to handle. And what whose fault is this? >> I don't even know. I wouldn't be able to tell him who did it. What at this time? >> Well, Jason, this is your fault? >> It's crazy. >> You were responsible for this death. >> [snorts] >> So, before Jay and I leave here, we want to make sure that we're clear, okay? On whether this is who's pulling that trigger or someone else. Because this this kind of stuff will wear on someone and it's going to take a psychological toll on both of you. But if it wasn't really It's not fair for you to put it >> And you're right. But I wouldn't be sitting here saying that anything. I never been in this type of situation. I never did anything like this. So, no it was not expected or like it was an accident. It was not expected. >> Okay. >> It wasn't intentionally or like no, with none of that. >> Okay. Well, I wouldn't intentionally shoot >> Right. So, it was an accident. >> Right. Well, what I'm saying is did you do this or did someone else? >> Nobody else was down there. But me and my two kids. Yes, my two little children. >> So, because this is an accident, what happened to the gun? >> And I just told you so. I don't know. >> Okay. >> I grabbed my daughter and I ran up the stairs and was screaming and yelling and I ran and got help. >> Okay. All right. And then you went outside, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. And your brother-in-law came down. All right. So, now is the time to tell us who your brother-in-law is. >> I don't know my brother-in-law's name. >> That is bull >> Mhm. >> [ __ ] You don't know your brother-in-law's name? >> No, I don't know him like that. No. >> Come on. Are you kidding me? Your daughter's dead and you're refusing to give information that can help us figure out what happened to the gun. >> I don't know. I told y'all everything I know and what happened. >> happened. You're refusing to give us your brother-in-law's name. >> I don't know his name. They never called him around me. >> So, what do you call him? >> I don't call him. I don't say nothing to him. >> Okay. How about How about the lady? Whatever you're calling her, sister or sister-in-law, what's her name? >> Sis. >> Sis, that's it? >> Mhm. >> She's a blood relative to you? >> Mhm. >> And you're refusing to give her name. >> I don't know her name. >> [laughter] >> Your daughter's blood is on you, Jasmine. You're going to have to live with that for the rest of your life. >> I was dead for you. >> You killed your daughter. >> I definitely didn't. That's not what y'all saying. >> You are You are a terrible mother right now because you're refusing to give the names of the people that lived upstairs that we need to interview and figure out what happened to this gun. Am I clear? >> What happens if another kid gets ahold of this gun? Think about that. Too many kids are dying. What happens if another kid gets ahold of this gun and accidentally shoots someone or kills himself. Me and Dan were just at one about this last February. Where a kid got a hold of a gun and shot himself. So, it's important that we know where this gun went, and it's important that we know the people that went downstairs and the people that live in the house. Cuz we need to find this gun. That's important. So, what's your brother-in-law's name? >> I don't know his name. >> What's your sister-in-law's name? >> I don't know her name. >> What happened to all them tears? >> Oh. What tears? >> You were You were sure crying before. >> Of course. >> But now But now when we need some help, you got nothing. >> I'm helping y'all. I'm telling y'all. >> You ain't helping nothing. >> Yeah, I am. I'm telling y'all. What more do you want? I don't know if I'm telling you all of >> We'd like to know where the gun went, okay? >> know. I grabbed my daughter after it happened. I don't know. I don't know. I don't. >> Okay. So, you live with in the basement of a house with two people who you call sis or sister-in-law and a brother-in-law, but are refusing to give their names. And obviously there's some cow- There's some cowards if they ran off and they don't want to stick around. >> I don't know them people's names. >> Okay. >> I didn't I don't know. >> No real mother would ever have it go down like this. You might have given birth to these children, but you're not a mother. Do you understand that? >> I've been a mother for a long time. >> You are no mother. You are no mother. You might get pregnant and give birth, but you are not a mother. You do not care about these children. >> I don't care about my children? >> You do not. >> Cuz I don't want to tell you somebody name I don't know? >> Absolutely. >> Cuz I don't know their name? >> You live with them, Jasmine. >> That don't mean nothing. >> That's huge. If I'm living with somebody, I'm going to know their name. >> NO, YOU'RE NOT. >> YES, YOU ARE. >> SOMEBODY SOMEBODY DON'T want to give up their name, they don't have to give up their name. I'm sis, I'M BRO. [ __ ] YOU DON'T HAVE TO JUST LIKE IF YOU WANTED SOMEBODY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE UP YOUR NAME. People didn't give me their [ __ ] name, they just sis and bro. Okay. I respect that. [ __ ] I can't knock nobody for how they feeling and what they do. But for you to tell me I ain't no mother? >> You ain't a mother. >> Right. >> You are a horrible person, Jasmine. >> I'm a horrible person cuz I don't know these people name? >> Absolutely, because you can't even look at me. >> I actually can look at you. I just choose not to look at you. >> I cannot believe what you're doing right now. Do you remember when you were giving birth? Do you remember how happy that was? >> Yes, I do. >> One of the happiest days of your life, right? >> Yes, I do. >> Childbirth is special for a mother, okay? >> Yes, I do. >> Your daughter is dead. Dead. You're never going to never going to come back. The floor because of something you did. And when asked some simple questions about the people you lived with, you refused to help your >> No, I am not receiving help. I just don't know the name of these people. >> So, you just happen to move all your in this basement with your two young children and you don't know who these people are. Do you think Jake and I believe that? >> You shouldn't. Type of world you live in, your family don't give a [ __ ] about you, so what you expect? >> We're not dumb. >> You're not dumb, I see you with but at the end of the day when you ain't got nowhere else and a person is willing to take you and your babies in and like it's a home, you ain't got no choice. Whoever says it probably is. Guess what? They ain't leaving me and them kids out on the street. >> Tammy. How come you didn't ride with with your daughter in the ambulance? >> I was told it wasn't in my brain. I beat up all of them and made sure they they they they not let me get in a car with my daughter. I did up what you want to call it, they sergeant just whoever they is. I fight a bunch of them trying to get in the car with my child. They did not let me in. So, I got dropped off to her. Quick, ASAP. No problem. >> Who dropped you off? >> A friend. Some lady I don't know. I don't know the lady. Please don't ask me. I don't. I was out I went outside. It was a party going on. It was a bunch of people out there and she helped me. That was it. >> Well, she helped her how she doing CPR or what? >> Yeah, she tried to help her do CPR. While the baby while the baby was laying there. >> What did you What did you tell her? >> I told her the same thing. >> And you didn't Same thing as what? >> Same thing I'm sitting here telling you all. As a matter of fact, to be honest, I didn't tell her anything. I was screaming and yelling. They kept asking all of them kept asking, "What happened? What happened? What happened?" I wasn't saying anything. I was just too in that point right then and there with so much blood on me. I was waiting for them to come and help my child. That's it. That's all. >> The child that you killed. >> I didn't kill my child. I mean I did not kill her. And I will not sit here and let y'all say I killed her. Her death was an accident, period. >> You owe it to her to tell the truth. You are not. >> I am. I'm telling y'all everything. >> You were looking at your dead or lying to us. >> I'm not even lying. >> You're refusing to help. >> I'm not lying. >> You are lying, Jasmine. >> [snorts] >> I'm not lying. I'm not lying. And if I got to go to court, I'll fight with a lawyer. I want a lawyer. I didn't hurt my child. >> [snorts] >> And I'm telling y'all everything I know. Y'all not going to pressure me. No. No. No. Mhm. If that's your state of mind, I'm in the I'm going to try to pressure me. I told you everything. No, I didn't kill my It was an accident. None of this supposed to happen. It was an accident. And for you to sit up here in my face and give me this picture and tell me that I'm less of a mother. How dare you? YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH TODAY. [clears throat] HOW DARE YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN what I've seen today? Then you bring me a picture of her. >> [snorts] >> You try to pressure me more. Like something's going to change, it's going to be different. No. Nothing's going to change. Nothing's going to be different. I told you everything you needed to know about what happened with my child. I don't know what else or what more y'all want me to do. >> Just tell the truth. But you want a lawyer? Is that what you're saying? >> Yes, cuz I'm telling y'all the truth, and y'all are telling me I I'm not and I murdered my child. I didn't. It was an accident. >> Time to go upstairs, Jazmine. Stand up. Follow, Jazmine. >> That was the first of three custodial interviews. Roughly 13 hours later, Jazmine Daniels told detectives it had not been her son. She said an unknown man had come into the basement, started cleaning a gun, and run after it fired. In a third interview, early the following morning, she described a man dressed in black. Neither man appeared on the surveillance video of the house. And in that same third interview, she said something different again. She said she had been handling the gun herself when it discharged, playing with the rack, in her words. That statement, not her account of her son, is what the state proceeded on. No court has ever found that her 3-year-old fired the shot. Daniels was charged with first-degree reckless homicide. She moved to suppress everything she had said in custody, arguing she had asked for a lawyer and been told one was not available. A Milwaukee County judge denied the motion. A week later, she pleaded guilty to an amended charge, neglecting a child where the consequence is death, and in September 2021, was sentenced to 16 years, divided evenly between confinement and extended supervision. On March 31st, 2026, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals reversed. It held that the trial court's findings of fact were clearly erroneous, that her waiver of the right to counsel was not knowing, intelligent, or voluntary in any of the three interviews, and it ordered every custodial statement suppressed. The judgment of conviction was reversed and the case sent back to the circuit court. Daniels may now move to withdraw her guilty plea. As of this recording, no final outcome has been reported. Za'Mya Ja'Stevens was 2 years old. If you value real police interrogations, critical moments, and the investigative strategies that uncover the truth, subscribe to Evidence Lab Interrogation and turn on notifications so you don't miss the next interrogation. Until next time, stay observant because in the interrogation room, every word matters.