Hi SteveS,
I agree - there was no logic to Zach stating "That was Shayne".
Zach could have blurted it out, not realizing that by incriminating SA, Zach was incriminating himself.
I believe it was because "Miss Karen" asked him this question. Zach was, after all, answering to Miss Karen who was his fourth grade teacher. Zach may have said "that was Shayne" without even thinking about his close association with Shayne.
People have been known to reveal things unwittingly, especially in periods of great pressure.
I believe that Zach did not realize in that moment how he ended up revealing or incriminating himself by saying Shayne's name.
Solely my opinion - I think Zach said this without thinking. Perhaps showing "Miss Karen" that he was being helpful and concerned and then blurted that out.
Was Zach trying to show "Miss Karen" that he wasn't such a "bad" person - that he could be "good and helpful"?
Then did Zach suddenly realize what he had done?
I don't think Zach would have said that statement to any law enforcement - but being in the presence of a former teacher from grade four, I think he forgot himself and said that. I think he wanted to "look good in her eyes" because he hadn't looked good in anyone's eyes for quite awhile.