Psychic Crime Fighter?

Aug 2, 2007 06:38 PM EDT

KSLA TV

The recent arrest of suspected serial killer Eric Mickelson has generated renewed interest in many cold cases. It has also led to many tips to police; some typical, some very unique. All of that leads to a question: Can a psychic's so-called visions really help in crime investigations.

Lots of people make predictions. But, when it comes to predicting someone's death correctly that raises eyebrows. And that's exactly what we found with Shreveport resident Jason Scott. "You discover late in life that you're psychic," claimed Scott.

He first drew our attention last summer during his one-man campaign to rid Hamel Memorial Park, along the south end of the Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport, of illicit sexual behavior.

Two years earlier, Scott experienced what he described as a 'death vision' of prominent businessman Don Coleman. "He looked up at me and I looked at him and I said, 'I don't have to do anything to you son because I see you right now in that lake floating. I can see it."

Scott even told friends, who confirmed it with us, about this vision of Coleman's death. Scott continued, "three weeks later, I guess, they called me up and said that he passed away and probably had a heart attack and fell in the lake."

Scott confided that he understood the suspicion his prediction might bring, especially considering his living situation at the time of Coleman's death. "I was actually living with Don and Earlene...I'd already packed my things up that, like morning." Scott readily admits investigators interviewed him several times about his involvement in what had become a bitter divorce battle between the Coleman's.

"There's a possibility that people that have intimate knowledge of crimes are involved in those crimes," explained Shreveport Police Detective Rod Demery. But, he is also quick to say he does not discount psychic predictions altogether. "We don't necessarily care where the information comes from or how they come across it. We want to find out if it's accurate."

During a recent phone conversation, Earlene Coleman also confirmed Scott's prediction about her husband's death. But, she declined an interview out of 'fear of drawing attention to Jason.'

For his part, Scott admitted that making bike trails, as he did during the Hamel Park cleanup, is just another way to help with cold cases, as well. "That's one of the reasons we dig these trails. We're looking for the body."

It is important to point out that then-Caddo Coroner George McCormick did "rule out" foul play in Don Coleman's death. Jason Scott also claims that over the years he's had other 'visions'. He's even offered his services to local law enforcement agencies. So far, no takers.