In Cold Blood question. When Perry Smith confessed on the way back to KS from Nevada, he said that

[raccoon]

he killed Herbert Clutter and Kenyon, and Dick Hickok killed Nancy and Bonnie Clutter.

Later Perry changed his story to say that he, Perry, killed them all. Hickok always said Perry shot them all.

Alvin Dewey said that he always believed Perry’s first story. Anyone care to speculate why he might've thought that?

[RunAwayGranny]

1. Because it sounds true and flows freely.

That version of the confession was given freely, not coerced. It sounds real to me. Maybe he thought by taken all of the blame later, he could spare Hickok's life.

[raccoon]

2. Good point. Usually when people revise a story later, they're lying. nt

[Scairp]

3. Easy

He was a psychopath and stone killer and was angry at himself for not killing Hickock when he had the chance. He says he knew Dick would spill his guts all over the floor if they ever got caught and Hickock surely did that.