Case 039
The Broken Seal
A tamper seal on a storage crate was cut overnight.
Rule: exactly one suspect is guilty. The guilty suspect lies. Every innocent suspect tells the truth.
Parker
“Frankie is guilty.”
Rowan
“Alex is innocent.”
Alex
“Either Rowan or Frankie is guilty.”
Frankie
“Parker is guilty.”
Emery
“Rowan is innocent.”
Who is guilty?
Solution: Frankie
If Frankie is guilty, Frankie's statement is false and every other statement is true. Testing the other suspects creates at least one contradiction.