Detective vs Alleged Predator: Read Mark Hein's Criminal Interview Transcript

LSPD Detective Kristin Parnell interviewed Hein Aug. 15, 2022 in the department's criminal interview room (complete with horseshoes welded face-down on the table -- the better to handcuff you to)

In response to a question about fantasizing about his students, Mark said, “I would say, just like, you’re a human being, so you notice if people are attractive, you notice whatever characteristics they have as a human being. But it’s – I mean that’s something that I’ve tried to be really disciplined about is – in terms of letting it fester in the mind or anything like that.”

Editor’s Note: This transcript is edited only for the purposes of redacting protected victim and suspect information. I have also added subject headings for ease of reading and pull quotes that emphasize certain portions of the transcript. The core subject matter has not been altered. The transcript is written in the voice of Det. Kristin Parnell, Lake Stevens Police Department. - KTH

Relevant policy pertaining to Mark Hein interview.

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Suspect Interview: Mark Hein. Conducted by Det. Kristin Parnell.

Mark was interviewed regarding this case on 08/15/22.

Mark told me he knew the school had investigated JANE ’s complaint against him, which resulted in a Letter of Direction being issued to him due to “boundary-type invasions” that were uncovered by the school’s investigation.

He said the letter directed him to “not engage” with JANE at all and he described the situation as “really unfair toward [himself].”¹

Young Life

Mark brought up JANE I’s complaint about Mark trying to talk her into going to an overnight camp for Young Life.

Mark explained he was in another conversation with a group of students after his class had ended and one of those students had asked him about the “Malibu camp”. JANE joined the group at that time and Mark told the group they should all go to the camp. JANE asked some questions about the camp, then Mark told her to “give it some thought.”

Following Mark’s interview, several of his students were interviewed, none of whom recalled Mark ever discussing Young Life outside of briefly mentioning it during his own “About Me” presentation to his classes.²

Victim’s Assigned Seat & Note Passing Between Hein and Victim

Mark stated JANE I’s permanent seat at the front of the class was his solution to her complaint that she could not see from the back of the classroom, which he stated was her original seat in the class.

Mark claimed all communication he had with JANE about her boyfriend or boys she was interested in were initiated by her.

He similarly stated the handwritten notes were initiated by JANE I. One day when she turned in an assignment along with a note that said “I’m sad,” which Mark responded to in writing. Another time, Mark and JANE exchanged notes about JANE transferring out of his class.

Mark said JANE wrote him a note stating her mom was making her transfer out of his class. Mark wrote her back asking if everything was okay, and she responded telling him “It’s other kids.”

Mark later learned JANE had taken a picture of the note and used it as evidence against him.

He said there were four or five different occasions when the class was quiet and he and JANE passed notes back and forth to each other.

Mark admitted to regret passing notes with JANE, wishing he had spoken with her directly so their conversations had not been documented.³

Hein then brings up the Google Document and gave an account inconsistent with the document that the detective had in evidence.⁴

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Allegation: Candy for Favorites, Soliciting Personal Infro

Mark denied ever asking JANE for information about her upcoming cheer competitions, stating she gave him a list of competition dates voluntarily and without prompting from him.

He did not deny asking her about cheerleading, but stated it is normal for him to take an interest in his students activities.

Mark stated he has a container of candy and gum he keeps in his desk. From time to time, JANE would ask him for gum and he occasionally gave her a piece. Mark said the candy was there for “everyone” and he sometimes gave some out to students if they asked for it. He also sometimes gave candy to students for correctly answering certain questions.

In my interviews with some of Mark’s other students, I was told by all that it was either very rare for Mark to give out candy or that he did not give out candy at all to his students.

Re: Alleged Physical Contact with 15-year-old Victim

When asked if he has ever had any kind of physical contact with JANE , Mark told me when JANE sat next to him to get help, she would scoot her chair so close to him, their shins would touch. He demonstrated this by scooting his chair close to mine and touching his leg to mine.

The proximity of his body to mine coupled with the physical contact made me very uncomfortable and, under any other circumstances, I would not have allowed someone with whom I did not have a close personal relationship with to sit that close to me or touch me in that manner.