What is a "Person of Interest"?

Often the phrase "person of interest" is used by police departments, and the general public probably thinks "suspect."

Here is what wikipedia.com has to say about it:

"'Person of interest' is a phrase used by law enforcement when announcing the name of someone involved in a criminal investigation who has not been arrested or formally accused of a crime. The phrase was adopted by the media and widely disseminated, thus most law enforcement agencies have picked up the term. It has no legal meaning, but it is a 'catchy' term. It is often used as a euphemism for suspect, and can sometimes result in a trial by media. It was used at least as early as the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing in reference to Richard A. Jewell. Its initial uses aroused controversy, but it has since seen increasingly regular use. [1] While terms such as suspect, target, and material witness have clear and sometimes formal definitions, person of interest remains undefined by the U.S. Department of Justice."

According to an article in the Daily Herald, Oak Brook police (Shorty) "Hudson's family continues to be uncooperative, despite reports indicating they have asked Hudson to turn himself in.

"They are saying that but still not letting us know (his whereabouts)."

OK, is Hudson a suspect or not in the New Year's morning murder at a hotel in Oak Brook? If he is not, the relatives have no responsibility to help the police. If he is a suspect, then name him and ask the relatives again. If it can be proven later that they knew where he was and refused to say so, an obstruction of justice charge might fly.

By the way, if you see a silver 2008 Hyundai Tiburon with Minnesota license plate 506CMZ out of gas on a highway shoulder, you probably don't want to stop to help. Dial 911 and tell the police where it is.