Court documents reveal why police called Vallejo kidnapping a hoax

VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- For the first time since Vallejo police called a kidnapping a hoax, we are learning why. The city filed legal papers responding to the victim's civil rights lawsuit.

The city's motion to dismiss the civil rights complaint will be heard in September. In the meantime, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn's attorney says sworn statements by members of Vallejo police department contradict the FBI's sworn statement.

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Matthew Muller is facing federal charges as he is accused of kidnapping Denise Huskins from her boyfriend Aaron Quinn's Vallejo home. But before authorities arrested Muller, Vallejo Police had other theories. "Aaron was a murderer and then just a few days later rather inconveniently Denise shows up," attorney James Wagstaffe said.

That's when Vallejo police changed their theory, calling the kidnapping a hoax. "Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins has plundered valuable resources away from our community," Vallejo Police Department Lt. Kenny Park said in March of 2015.

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Now, court documents reveal why Vallejo police say they drew the hoax conclusion. The documents include sworn statements by lead detective Matthew Mustard, retired Police Captain James O'Connell, and Park.

Regarding Denise showing up at her parents Huntington Beach home, Mustard wrote, "I found it unusual she did not wish to speak with Huntington Beach Police." But according to the FBI's sworn statement, Denise did speak with Huntington Beach Police. Retired Vallejo Police Captain James O'Connell wrote, "She had luggage and was wearing sunglasses."

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"She wasn't wearing sunglasses as if she was coming back from a trip to Cabo San Lucas," Wagstaffe said.

Rather the FBI's sworn statement says Denise had "darker impression circles" consistent with wearing swim goggles the couple says Muller put over their eyes.

O'Connell also wrote, "She also did not act like a kidnapping victim."

"The idea that somehow there's some textbook way a kidnapping victim is supposed to behave is offensive," Wagstaffe said.

O'Connell writes that he authorized Park's now infamous press conference. "If anything it is Mr. Quinn and Ms. Huskins that owes this community an apology," Park said.

The couples' attorney says these new declarations are missing some key words. "Those words are, 'I'm sorry we got it wrong,'" Wagstaffe said.

Vallejo Police and the Vallejo City Attorney's Office said they have no comment.