Thursday, March 8, 2001 - 10:30 a.m.

The witness, a twenty-five-year-old female, is married to Steve Kirby, the high school boyfriend of the victim, Melissa Hammond. At the detectives' request, Maureen Kirby came into the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office for an additional interview. The interview was recorded on a portable audio tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

TA = Detective Ted Armstrong

SM = Detective Sam Murphy

MK = Maureen Kirby

SM: We appreciate you talking to us again, Mrs. Kirby.

MK: Of course.

SM: Your name and address please.

MK: Maureen Kirby. My address is 210 Sisk Avenue.

SM: As I'm sure you're aware, our office removed several things from your house and cars when the search warrant was executed.

MK: Obviously, I know that, Detective.

SM: So, why don't you tell me what that rope was doing in your car?

MK: What's there to tell? I had it for emergencies. You never know what might come up.

TA: You never know what might come up in regards to strangling a woman? Is that what you mean?

MK: That's quite a reach. I also have a knife in my car. Are you insinuating that I was going to stab someone? I also have a flare in my car. Maybe I wanted to burn someone up with it.

TA: Maybe you just prefer to strangle someone.

MK: And maybe you prefer fantasy, but that rope was just in my car in case I ever needed it.

SM: When have you needed it in the past?

MK: Well, I bought a lawn chair at Wal-Mart one time. The trunk wouldn't close completely so I used a small piece of rope to tie it down tight. So, it wouldn't fly open as I was driving down Jackson. That's just one example.

SM: What about the pants in your car? The ones with reddish colored stains on them. What are those stains?

MK: I think those were from just working around the house.

SM: Working on what?

MK: I don't remember exactly.

TA: I bet you don't.

SM: So how did you feel when you saw that picture of your husband and Missy Hammond having lunch that day at Buster Roodies?

MK: I was mad. What do you expect?

TA: Mad enough to get in your car, go over to Missy's house, and use that length of rope on her.

MK: If you're trying to intimidate me, Detective Armstrong, you're doing a very poor job at it. This is all preposterous. If you know so much, then just go ahead and arrest me.

TA: Maybe I just like toying with you, lady--

SM: Well, let me ask you this, Mrs. Kirby. Do you still think that Missy Hammond was chasing after your husband? I believe that last time we spoke, you seemed to think that she was trapping him or something.

MK: Certainly. My husband wouldn't cheat on me.

SM: We've seen the PI's reports. There are pictures of Steve holding hands with her. Your own private investigator observed Steve looking at materials on divorce. And yet you still think he's innocent in all this?

MK: My husband loves me! He's the most important thing in my life. He wouldn't do anything like that. That damn hussy was just trying to drive a wedge in between us.

TA: Wow. That's some case of denial. Look lady, you hired Pam Thompson and even she thought he was sneaking around. In case you've forgotten, I'll quote you from her report, "All of these factors, combined with my suspicion that the subject was inspecting a do-it-yourself divorce packet lead me to believe that the subject is currently considering ending his marriage to the client." How do you explain that?

MK: She only knows what she sees. I'm aware that someone who doesn't know my husband might think that, but I know him! And I know he was trapped. That woman was just trying to lead him astray.

TA: And you showed up to protect him, huh?

MK: No!

TA: You came around and took care of that hussy both to protect your husband and your marriage. It was almost self-defense, right?

MK: How many times do I have to tell you? I had nothing to do with it!

TA: You know, we're gonna get those paternity test results any day now. Think you'll change your tune then? When we find out your husband is the father of Missy's child?

MK: No, because that's not what you're going to find out. My husband is not that girl's father. I've told you that before.

TA: You wouldn't like that much, would you? If Steve had a child with another woman?

MK: He doesn't, so I don't see any point in discussing it.

TA: How do you know he doesn't?

MK: I just do, Detective. Call it woman's intuition. Call it a wife knowing her husband. Call it anything you like. But my husband is not that child's father. That's all there is to it.

SM: Is your husband a violent man, Mrs. Kirby?

MK: Of course not.

SM: Do you think he could have killed Missy Hammond?

MK: There's no way.

SM: Well, I could make an argument for either one of you. You kill her to get her away from Steve. Or maybe he wanted her back, she turned him down, and he killed her.

MK: He wouldn't do such a thing.

SM: You sure about that? I'll be honest. Right now, we've got a better case against you than him. Unless you want to go down for something he did, you better tell us about him.

MK: You're just trying to confuse me! You've got nothing on either one of us.

TA: Then why are you getting all upset?

MK: Because this is just crazy. I'm not putting up with this any more. I want to call my lawyer.

TA: Seems a lot of people are looking for their lawyers these days.

SM: That's okay, Mrs. Kirby. I think we're finished here. We'll be talking to you soon.

End interview 11:03 a.m.