Wednesday, February 4, 2004 -- 4:03 PM

This witness, Billie Jo Jones, is the seven-year-old friend of the victim and the daughter of Mary Jones. The witness was interviewed by Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department Detectives Armstrong and Murphy. In accordance with regulations, the court appointed a psychologist and an attorney to represent the minor's interests. Both appointees were present during the interview. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the knowledge and consent of the witness's attorney.

NC: Hi, Billie Jo. I'm Nancy Carson. We talked for a few minutes today, and I explained that I'm here as your representative, sort of like your mother would be. And Mr. Drummond is going to help me do that. We asked her if you could talk to Detectives Armstrong here and Detective Murphy over there as long as we stayed with you, and she said it was okay with her. Did she explain that to you?

BJJ: Uh huh.

NC: We're all your friends here, Billie Jo. There is nothing to be scared of. The nice detectives are going to ask you some questions to help them find out who hurt your friend, Barbara. Is that okay with you?

BJJ: I guess so.

NC: I'll be right here. If any of the questions make you scared or too sad, let me know.

SM: Hi, Billie Jo. I'm Samantha Murphy. We're talking to everyone in the hotel who knew or saw your friend, Barbara, Saturday night and we could really use your help.

BJJ: Okay.

TA: And I'm Ted Armstrong. You are such a grown up young lady. How old are you, Billie Jo?

BJJ: I'm seven. I'll be eight in October. I'm adopted you know.

SM: No, I didn't know. How do you feel about that?

BJJ: No big deal. I've been adopted long as I can remember, so it doesn't make any difference to me. Mom... and Dad until he... until he... well, they always told me I'm special. They chose me 'cause I'm special. Some of my friends wish they were adopted so they could be special too.

TA: I have a granddaughter just about your age. What grade are you in? No -- don't tell me let me guess. You are in... ah... the second grade?

BJJ: That's right.

TA: Good. I'm a good guesser. Now, Billie Jo-- Is that what you like to be called? Not just Billie?

BJJ: Billie Jo, please. Billie sounds too much like a boy -- or a goat.

TA: Okay then, Billie Jo it is. You know, we really need your help. The best way you can help us is by telling us what you did and saw Saturday night. We understand you were out looking for autographs late Saturday night.

BJJ: My mom already grounded me for that... and no TV besides!

SM: I understand, Billie Jo, and we aren't trying to get you in trouble, but we sure need to find out what happened around the time Barbara... got hurt. Can you help us?

BJJ: I will if I can -- but what can I do? I'm just a kid!

TA: I'll bet you have good eyes and ears though -- and being a kid, you might notice things a grown-up wouldn't.

BJJ: Yeah. Lots of times people act as if I'm not even there.

SM: Now, Billie Jo, tell us what you saw and heard Saturday night. Do you know what time you sneaked out of your room after your mother went to sleep?

BJJ: Oh, I fooled her! She thought I was asleep and I heard her talking to someone on the phone. She kinda whispered, but I think she was talking to Auntie Barbara.

SM: What makes you think that?

BJJ: Because I heard her say, "Barbara."

TA: Could you hear what they were talking about?

BJJ: No, I just heard Mommy say "I'll meet you there right away." Then she came over to tuck me in. I pretended I was asleep. I do that sometimes just to play a joke on her.

SM: Did she go back to bed then?

BJJ: No.

TA: What did she do?

BJJ: She tiptoed to the door and went out.

SM: Do you have any idea what time it was, Billie Jo?

BJJ: I don't do too good on telling time yet, but it was right after we got back to the room from the photo shoot downstairs. I remember asking if I could stay and get some autographs but my Mom said it was eleven o'clock and already way past my bedtime.

SM: So when your mother went out the door, what did you do?

BJJ: I waited a little bit, and then I put my clothes back on. I got my autograph book and a pen. Then I opened the door real quiet-like and peeked in the hall. There was nobody out there, so I closed the door softly and went down the hall to the elevator.

TA: Sounds like you would make a good detective, Billie Jo. Looks like I'll have to watch out for my job in a few years.

SM: Did you get on the elevator?

BJJ: Yeah. I went down where they'd been taking the pictures to see if anybody was still there. But they'd all left.

TA: So then what did you do?

BJJ: I wandered around down there, looking for someone to sign my autograph book.

SM: Did you see any people around?

BJJ: Yeah.

TA: Can you tell us what you saw, Billie Jo?

BJJ: I don't want to tattle. Miss Carson, What should I do?

NC: It's up to you, Billie Jo. If you think it would help the police find out who hurt your friend, I don't think you would be tattling. You say what you are comfortable with. Just tell the truth.

BJJ: Okay... well, I was walking around when I heard a funny sound in the room they use for the pageant office. I peeked in and somebody was spray painting! I got out of there quick before they could spray me!

TA: Could you see who was doing the spraying?

BJJ: Heck no! I got out of there in a hurry!

SM: Then what did you do?

BJJ: I decided to go back to our room, but when I got up to the second floor I wandered up and down the halls hoping somebody would come out of their room. I heard a bunch of yelling and cussing so I peeked around the corner to see what was going on. It was that Denny guy and that guy named Bill.

TA: Do you know them, Billie Jo?

BJJ: I knew that Denny guy from when Auntie Barbara dated him. I don't like him. He's a jerk.

SM: What makes you think he's a jerk, Billie Jo?

BJJ: That's what Auntie Barbara called him. She said he wouldn't take no for an answer and she couldn't get rid of him. She and my mom were talking like grown-ups. You know, like I wasn't there.

TA: What about Bill? Did you know him?

BJJ: I met him at the pageant dinner. He seemed nice. He smiled at me and shook hands and looked at me real close. Then he asked me how old I am and what grade I'm in. And he really paid attention when I answered. You know, like he was really interested. Not like a lot of grown-ups that ask but don't listen when I answer.

SM: I'll bet your mom was surprised to see him.

BJJ: Not really. She seemed real glad to see him. Gave him a big hug. But Auntie Susan looked surprised.

TA: What were Denny and Bill making all the noise about?

BJJ: I don't know. I didn't wait to find out. I don't like it when people talk in mad voices. I went downstairs again and looked around to see if I could find anybody interesting there. But all I saw were a couple of older ladies at the bar or lounge or whatever you call the place where grown-ups go to drink.

SM: Did you recognize anybody?

BJJ: Nobody I knew. I saw that lady that walks with the cane. She was sort of wandering around like she was looking for someone or didn't know which way to go.

TA: Then what did you do?

BJJ: Then I... ah... I... ah...

NC: Are you all right, honey? Do you need to take a break?

BJJ: No ,I just get sad when I think about what happened to Auntie Barbara.

SM: That's okay, Billie Jo, you are doing great. Just take your time. Would you like a Coke or something?

BJJ: Oh, yeah. Do you have any Dr. Pepper?

TA: I'll go get it. You keep going, Billie Jo. I'll be right back.

SM: What did you see, Billie Jo, after you saw the lady with the cane?

BJJ: I was... ah... I was walking, ah... down the hall going to Auntie Barbara's room to see if she was still up. And I heard... I heard... something funny. Kind of a thud and a gasp. I got hit in the stomach with a kickball once, and it sounded kind of like that. I ducked in a little nook there where no one could see me. I heard some other sounds, but I don't know what they were. Then I heard a door open and a few minutes later it closed. I was getting scared. I was afraid to look out there. I didn't want them to see me. I waited 'til I thought the coast was clear then I peeked out. No one was around, so I went up to the door of a closet and... and I saw...

NC: Are you okay, Billie Jo? Can you go on?

SM: Take your time, Billie Jo. Here's your Dr. Pepper.

BJJ: I saw Auntie Barbara on the floor. I ran over to her. She wasn't moving. I sort of shook her to wake her up. But she didn't m-o-o-o-ve. I... kne-e-ew... something terrible happened. Then I ran back to my room. I wanted Mommy.

TA: That's okay, Billie Jo. Did you touch anything else?

BJJ: A trophy. It was on the floor. It was broken and I cut myself on it and I was bleeding. I was afraid I'd get in trouble and I was worried about Auntie Barbara. I didn't know what to do.

SM: It's all right, Billie Jo. Did you see any one after you saw Auntie Barbara on the floor?

BJJ: No. I ran to our room, but I couldn't get in. Then Mommy came to the door and pulled me in. She was real mad at me.

SM: Did you tell her what you saw?

BJJ: No. I was too scared. I was afraid somebody would think I hurt Auntie Barbara. But I didn't! I just want her to be all right and here with us again. I'm sorry I didn't tell anybody. Are you going to put me in jail?

SM: No, no. Billie Jo. You aren't in trouble. In fact, you've helped us a lot.

NC: I think it's time to stop, Detectives. We don't need to upset her any more now, do we?

TA: Thank you, little lady. You did fine. Any time you want to become a detective, just let me know. We could always use your help.

BJJ: Did I really do okay? I don't think I was much help.

SM: Sure you were. We put all the things together that people tell us -- sort of like a jigsaw puzzle -- so we can find out who hurt your friend. Thank you for helping us, Billie Jo.

BJJ: Oh. You're welcome. Can I go now? I'm kind of tired.

SM: Of course. If you should remember anything else you think we should know, you are welcome to phone us. Goodbye.

Interview ends -- 4:49 PM