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Witness Interview: Lydia "Liddie" Hammond, victim's daughter - Part One | |
Tuesday, February 6, 2001, 2:00 p.m. This witness, Lydia "Liddie" Hammond, is the seven-year-old daughter of the victim. In accordance with regulations, the court appointed a psychologist and an attorney to represent the minor's interests. Both parties were present during the interview, which Detectives Armstrong and Murphy conducted at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office.
NC: Hi, Liddie. Do you remember me? We talked a few times last week and then again yesterday? LH: Yes. NC: And do you remember all these other nice people? That's Mr. Drummond and over there is Detective Armstrong and Detective Murphy. Do you remember seeing them before? LH: Yes. NC: We're all your friends here and we just want to help you. You don't have to be scared because no one here is going to hurt you. Okay? LH: Okay. NC: Now, Detective Armstrong and Detective Murphy need to ask you some questions. They're going to want to talk about your mommy. I know it makes you sad to talk about her, but it's really important so you should try to tell them whatever you can remember. Okay? LH: Okay. NC: And if you get too sad, we can always take a little break. Okay? LH: Okay. NC: Detectives? TA: Hi, Liddie. My name is Detective Armstrong. How are you today? LH: Fine. TA: We talked to your Papa Thomas and Mama Gloria today. They said to tell you hi and they love you. LH: I didn't get to see them on Friday. TA: I heard about that. Do you miss them? LH: Yes. TA: Do you remember the last time you saw them? LH: Yes. TA: What did you do? LH: We went skating. TA: Roller-skating? LH: Yes. TA: Are you a good roller-skater? LH: No. I'm still learning how. But I'm better than I used to be. TA: I bet you are. What else did you do with Papa Thomas and Mama Gloria the last time you saw them? LH: Got ice cream. TA: Oh yeah? What's your favorite kind of ice cream? LH: Bubble Gum. TA: That's a good one. My granddaughter Rachel likes that kind too. What did you do after you got ice cream? LH: Papa Thomas and Mama Gloria took me home. TA: Did they go inside with you? LH: No, they don't do that. Sometimes Mama Gloria gets mad at... TA: Did Mama Gloria get mad at your mommy sometimes? LH: Yes. TA: So that's why they didn't go inside with you? LH: Yes. TA: How do they know if you got in the house okay? LH: I blink the porch light for them so they know. TA: And did you do that that night? LH: Yes. TA: Then what happened? LH: I... NC: It's okay, Liddie. You be a brave girl and tell Detective Armstrong what you did next. LH: I looked for Mommy. TA: Did you find her? LH: Yes. TA: Where was she? LH: Sleeping. TA: Were you surprised that she was sleeping? LH: No. Sometimes she takes a nap. TA: Had you ever come home before and she was sleeping? LH: Yes. TA: So what did you do when you saw she was sleeping? Did you wake her up? LH: No. TA: Why not? LH: Because sometimes Mommy is grumpy if I wake her up. TA: Like the dwarf named Grumpy from the Snow White story? LH: Hee. Yeah. TA: So when you saw that your mommy was asleep, what did you do? LH: I was sleepy too. TA: So what did you do? LH: I put my pajamas on and got in Mommy's bed. TA: Why didn't you sleep in your own bed? LH: Mommy likes me to sleep with her. SM: All the time? LH: Just sometimes. TA: Were there any lights on in your mommy's room? LH: No. TA: Were you scared? LH: No. The hall light was on. SM: Were there other lights on in the house? LH: I don't know. SM: Was the TV on in the living room? LH: I don't know. TA: Did you fall asleep in your mommy's bed that night? LH: Yes. TA: Did you talk to her before you went to sleep? LH: I told her good night. TA: Did she say anything? LH: No, she was asleep. TA: Then what happened? LH: I went to sleep. SM: Did you wake up during the night? LH: No. SM: Did you hear anything strange during the night? LH: No. SM: When did you wake up? LH: I don't know. SM: Were you still in your mother's bed when you woke up? LH: Yes. TA: Do you remember why you woke up? LH: Grandpa was knocking on the door. TA: How did you know it was him? LH: I saw him. TA: Before you opened the door? LH: No, after. TA: Did you talk to your mommy before you opened the door? LH: Yes. TA: What did you say? LH: I said, Mommy, somebody's at the door. TA: What did she say? LH: Nothing. She was still sleeping. SM: Were you surprised she was still sleeping? LH: I don't know. SM: Do you know why she didn't wake up to answer the door? LH: No. She looked... funny. SM: Funny how? LH: I don't know. TA: What made her look funny? LH: I don't know. She had a bruise on her neck. TA: Do you remember where on her neck? LH: On her whole neck. TA: Okay. So what did you do? LH: I opened the door so Grandpa could come in. TA: And then what happened? LH: He asked me where Mommy was and I told him she was sleeping. TA: What did he say? LH: He went into her room to wake her up. TA: And then what happened? LH: He came out. He looked sad. TA: What did he do? LH: Called somebody. TA: Do you know who he called? LH: No. TA: What did he do after that? LH: He called Uncle Johnny. TA: How do you know? LH: I heard him talking to him. TA: What did he say? LH: He said to come over. TA: Do you know why? LH: I went to Uncle Johnny's house. TA: Do you know why you went to Uncle Johnny's house? LH: Grandpa said someone was coming over to check on Mommy and I should go to Uncle Johnny's. TA: Then what happened? LH: We waited for Uncle Johnny to come. TA: How did you feel about that? LH: I was scared. TA: Why were you scared? LH: Because something was wrong with Mommy... NC: Detective, I think we should take a break now. SM: Okay. Interview suspended at 2:26 p.m. on February 7, 2001. End Part One. |
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