Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 4:17 p.m.

At the detectives' request, this witness came into the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office for a follow-up interview conducted by Det. Sam Murphy and Det. Ted Armstrong. The interview was recorded on a portable videotape camera with the witness's knowledge and consent.

TA = Detective T. Armstrong

SM = Detective S. Murphy

CS = Cal Swinney

SM: Could you state your name and address for the record please?

CS: My name is Calvin Samuel Swinney, and I live at 1614 Garfield Avenue, Oxford.

TA: Thanks for coming in, Cal. We're doing a couple of follow-ups, and hope this won't take too much of your time.

CS: Happy to help, sir. What can I help you out with?

SM: We were hoping we could take you back to the morning of the murder and see if you could recall a few things.

CS: Such as?

SM: Such as, do you recall seeing your co-worker's truck parked near the building known as the Servant's Quarters that morning?

CS: I vaguely recollect seeing it. I was kind of working in the opposite direction, so I can't be sure. Course, it ain't really her truck, you know. Just the one she checked out from the fleet that day. Belongs to the University.

SM: But you think that you did see it there near the end of driveway?

CS: I think so, sure. Pretty sure I saw a truck, so yeah, that must've been it.

SM: And after all the commotion started, you eventually went to investigate what was going on?

CS: I didn't go to investigate anything. I mean I heard ol' Tate yelling his head off, but I thought he was fooling. Then I heard the sirens and all and I figured there was something to it. So, I moseyed over there.

SM: And was the truck still there, on the driveway? Do you happen to remember?

CS: Well now, that's funny now that you put it that way... I'm thinking that it wasn't there. Leastways, I can't picture it in my mind, you know?

SM: You were working in or near the area called the Original Garden, when you decided to mosey over to the scene?

CS: Yeah, I musta been because that was my assignment that day. Had some stubborn hedges that needed some serious lopping and all. So I was a ways away I guess.

SM: The Original Garden is not that far from the location where the body was found.

CS: Depends on where you are, I guess. I was workin' over on the far side, away from the house. That's a good little ways away.

TA: Did you notice anyone driving any of the University trucks when you were over in the garden area? Hear the sound of an engine or anything like that?

CS: I don't think so. I had alot of things on my mind, I might have been oblivious to things going on around me a bit. I don't recall anything in particular.

TA: Did you see any other vehicles, besides the truck you maybe saw? Any unusual or unfamiliar vehicles parked in or around the grounds?

CS: Nope, not a one.

SM: A witness we spoke to is under the impression they saw your wife's station wagon. Was her car there that you noticed?

CS: Well that car ain't unfamiliar or unusual. Yeah, it was my car... her car... our car... Yeah it was there.

SM: Can we assume you aren't the one who left it there?

CS: Yes, ma'am, you can assume that all right. She must've left it there. Abandoned it. But that's her style lately, so who should be surprised by it?

TA: Who's style? Your wife's?

CS: Yeah. Well, guess she's my ex-wife now or will be. She up and left me that same day. Guess she left it there for me. Or maybe it just conked out again and she just abandoned it like everything else.

TA: How can we contact your wife... ah, ex-wife?

CS: I can't really say. If you find out, you let me know, will you? Her little boy would sure like to know where his mama went. You'd think she would've thought about him a little bit, wouldn't you? Anyway, nope I don't know where in blazes she is. Good riddance, I say.

SM: So, you aren't expecting her to return?

CS: Not any time soon. Maybe never. I found a stupid note when I got home. Made me so mad I tore it up and burned it. She didn't think I gave her the life she deserved so I guess she went looking elsewhere.

SM: Would you have any reason to believe she might have known the victim, Achim Michaelis?

CS: Hmmm... well, now that's an interesting question. There was a man, but I don't know who. Good thing, I expect. Otherwise I might be tempted to go give him a piece of my mind...

SM: Well, we're sorry to hear about your troubles, but we do need to stick to the topic. So, other than your ex-wife's abandoned car, you saw no other vehicles you didn't recognize or people you didn't know on or near the grounds.

CS: That's right.

TA: What about your co-workers? Do you have any reason to believe they might have been involved with the victim? Or possibly even the murder?

CS: It'd be hard to see it, if you ask me. Lorie's too prissy to do anything but turn on her huffy routine and Scott... no way. Tate used to have a temper but it got toned down in them anger classes he took. Nope, can't really see it.

TA: So, you wouldn't describe any of your co-workers as volatile or likely to go into a rage?

CS: Well, like I said, Tate's got it in him, but I think he got the beast under control. But, you never know, do you? I suppose it's possible. But I'd be surprised, I think.

SM: Your co-workers mentioned you were out of sorts that morning. Was that because of the difficulties with your wife?

CS: Yes, ma'am. I guess I had my head up my ***. You know how you women can get a man going 'til he thinks he's losing his mind.

TA: So, that's all you were upset about?

CS: I think it was enough, don't you? Then Tate with his shenanigans... then I cut my hand on the dang clippers... it just wasn't what you'd call a good day. Get my drift?

TA: Yeah, I sure do. Do you happen to know if any of your co-workers have any interest in computers and or computer games?

CS: I think Tate might have one. There's a lot of stuff on there about music. My wife... ex... she had one. My kid plays on it sometimes. Me, I got no use for 'em. Tried it a couple times just to see what all the fuss was about, but it didn't do a thing for me.

TA: Okay. Mind telling us what size shoe you wear? And the boots you're wearing, do you typically wear those to work?

CS: I wear a size 10 1/2. Have since I was thirteen. I wear these boots just about everywhere I go. Nothing fancy, just a good, solid, dependable boot.

SM: Do you happen to know if your co-worker, Lorie, wears earrings? Would she own a pair of diamond earrings to your knowledge?

CS: Well, I guess she could, but I never saw her wear anything like that around here. Not really part of the uniform, you know? Course you girls don't always dress that appropriate, do you?

TA: I don't suppose you ever bought your wife a pair of diamond earrings.

CS: Oh yeah, when pigs fly! No sir, money don't grow on trees and I don't have that kind of money to waste.

SM: Okay, Cal. Anything else that you remember from that day that you think we should know?

CS: No ma'am. Not a thing. I expect I best be running along now... I bet your husband is wondering where is dinner, eh?

TA: Thanks for your time. If we have any further questions, we'll be in contact. Don't leave town without contacting us, okay?

CS: Got nowhere to go but home, Detective.

SM: Okay, thanks for coming in.

CS: Evening, detectives.

End interview 4:51 p.m.