Case 311
The Cut Cable
A network cable was cut in a restricted room.
Rule: exactly one suspect is guilty. The guilty suspect lies. Every innocent suspect tells the truth.
Parker
“Hayden is guilty.”
Taylor
“Reese and Lane are both innocent.”
Hayden
“Either Taylor or Lane is guilty.”
Reese
“Neither Parker nor Lane is guilty.”
Lane
“Taylor is innocent.”
Who is guilty?
Solution: Hayden
If Hayden is guilty, Hayden's statement is false and every other statement is true. Testing the other suspects creates at least one contradiction.