Thursday, May 27, 2009 - 3:20 PM

Detective Armstrong and Detective Murphy of the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff’s Department interviewed the witness, co-owner of a red Toyota Corolla. The interview was conducted at the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's Department and recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

Detective Samantha Murphy
Detective Ted Armstrong
Chandler Coleman

Detective Murphy: For the record, please state your name and address.

Chandler Coleman: My name is Chandler Coleman, and I live at 222 Country Club Road. May I ask why my wife and I are being questioned?

Detective Armstrong: Certainly. It's in relation to a 1985 red Toyota Corolla.

Chandler Coleman: Alex's car?

Detective Armstrong: We show the vehicle registered to you and your wife.

Chandler Coleman: That was a matter of convenience. It was a gift for Alex. What about the car?

Detective Murphy: Would you consider your son a safe driver?

Chandler Coleman: Safe enough. Did you recover the vehicle somewhere?

Detective Armstong: We're the ones asking questions, Mr. Coleman. Was Alex ever involved in a car accident that might not have been reported to the insurance company?

Chandler Coleman: Well, I believe he hit a tree or something at one point. The repair bill was small enough that we paid for it ourselves. We do a lot of business with auto repair shops, getting used vehicles ready for the lot.

Detective Murphy: Is it possible that Alex had an accident without telling you?

Chandler Coleman: I suppose that's possible.

Detective Armstrong: Mr. Coleman, in the last week, has Alex mentioned being in an accident?

Chandler Coleman: I'm sure I'd remember that.

Detective Armstrong: Have you even spoken to Alex in the past week?

Chandler Coleman: No, as a matter of fact, I haven't. Alex ... we may have spoiled the boy, because he can be a bit temperamental. He hasn't been around for a couple of weeks now.

Detective Armstrong: And why do you think that is?

Chandler Coleman: I'm not sure, exactly. I spent a fair amount of time on the road looking at used cars, and perhaps Alex and I could be closer. If he was having girl troubles or doubts about his future, I'm not sure Alex would necessarily come to me. I'm probably a better car dealer than I am a father, which is probably why the boy is spoiled.

Detective Murphy: Do you have any idea who Alex might go to for commiseration or advice?

Chandler Coleman: I would hope he'd come to Raschel and me first. I'm not sure who he'd go to next.

Detective Armstrong: You say Alex has been gone for a couple of weeks.

Chandler Coleman: Yes.

Detective Armstrong: Has he disappeared for this length of time before?

Chandler Coleman: Not all at once, I don't think. Alex is a good kid. He wouldn't want to worry his mother.

Detective Armstrong: What about his father?

Chandler Coleman: I'm not sure if children realize how deeply they can wound their father. I wouldn't be surprised if the boy returns with a wife in tow.

Detective Murphy: Has Alex been seeing someone?

Chandler Coleman: Not that I'm aware of, but I've always figured that Alex would be the type to elope. It would fit in with his image of himself as an adventurer. And I'm not sure he'd truly understand how much that would disappoint his mother and me.

Detective Armstrong: Does Alex have his own money?

Chandler Coleman: He has his own checking account, yes.

Detective Armstrong: Are you aware of any large withdrawals or recent activity on that account?

Chandler Coleman: I am not in the habit of spying on my son.

Detective Murphy: He hasn't called in the weeks he's been gone? Emailed?

Chandler Coleman: No.

Detective Armstrong: You expect us to believe you feel that his right to privacy is more important than knowing your son is safe?

Chandler Coleman: Detective -- Detectives -- you have to understand that Alex is not only my child. He's an adult. If he wants to spend the next year hitchhiking across the country, he's entitled to do so.

Detective Murphy: Does your wife agree with that assessment?

Chandler Coleman: I'm sure my wife was more than capable of speaking for herself.

Detective Armstrong: Mr. Coleman, where do you think Alex is at the moment?

Chandler Coleman: I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for his behavior.

Detective Armstrong: That doesn't answer the question.

Chandler Coleman: If I knew where he was, I'd tell you, but I don't. I think Raschel called the hospitals and such. I'm just waiting for my boy to come home.

Detective Murphy: That will be all for now.

Interview ends: 4:08 PM