How an Austin Police Officer's Deception Led to Wrongful Imprisonments and Death Row Cases
Paul Skalnik, an officer with the Austin Police Department, operated a sophisticated web of lies that ensnared dozens and resulted in innocent individuals being convicted, including one man sent to death row.
Paul Skalnik, a former officer with the Austin Police Department, perpetuated a series of elaborate deceptions that led to the wrongful imprisonment of 37 people and contributed to four individuals being placed on death row. His fabricated identities included those of a fighter pilot, a wealthy oilman, a defense attorney, and even a cancer patient.
Skalnik's deceit began to unravel when his deceptions impacted individuals like Jim Dailey. Dailey was implicated in the 1985 murder of 14-year-old Shelly Boggio. Despite a lack of forensic evidence or a clear motive, Skalnik's account of Dailey's alleged confession was instrumental in securing a death sentence for Dailey. The circumstances surrounding Boggio's murder and Dailey's conviction have since been questioned, with another man later claiming responsibility for the crime.
Pamela Colloff, a writer and journalist, investigated Skalnik's crimes and documented his deceptions. Colloff eventually tracked Skalnik to a nursing home in Corsicana, Texas, to confront him. She found him in a cluttered room, seemingly taken aback by her presence. Colloff, who wrote the book "Catch the Devil" about Skalnik's deceptions, admitted that she herself was initially taken in by his elaborate lies during her investigation. She visited Skalnik in prison, where he continued to maintain a facade of respectability.
Skalnik's capacity for deception extended beyond his law enforcement career. He also married nine women, sometimes concurrently, further illustrating the pervasive nature of his dishonesty. His fabricated personas were designed to manipulate those around him, leading to severe consequences for many, including the loss of freedom and, in some cases, the prospect of execution.
Jim Dailey, who served in Vietnam, remains on death row, though he holds onto hope for exoneration. His case highlights the profound and lasting impact of Skalnik's deceptions on the justice system and the lives of those caught in his web of lies.