The interview was conducted at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office by Detective's Murphy and Armstrong. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness' knowledge and consent.

Detective Ted Armstrong
Detective Samantha Murphy
Johnny Ray Clark

Detective Armstrong: Take a seat right over there. Let's start off with your name and address.

Johnny Clark: My name is Johnny Clark and my trailor is in lot 66 at the Wheel Estates, on 913 south 18th St.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. That's out of the way. What can you tell us about what you saw? Did you know the victim?

Johnny Clark: I wish I could tell you who committed this horrible act, but I can't think of anyone that depraved. And no, I didn't know her. She has been here before to use the restroom. I never talked to her, though. She always just came in and got the key and went to the restroom and returned the key without a word. She never had skates on and I thought it was strange that she had them on tonight when I saw her in the restroom. Do you think whoever set up those candles, also put the skates on her?

Detective Murphy: That remains to be seen. Tell us what you saw.

Johnny Clark: Nothing! I didn't know anything had happened until the lady came up and asked if I would let her in the restroom. She said she really had to go, and she tried to ignore the sign on the door, but couldn't, so she said she tried the handle and the door was locked and could I please let her go. I didn't even know the door was locked or what sign she was talking about.

Detective Armstrong: So, being a smart young man like you, you went to see what was going on, didn't you?

Johnny Clark: That's right. When I saw the Out of Order sign on the door, I was stumped, because I hadn't put it there and I was working alone at that time.

Detective Murphy: And, what happened next?

Johnny Clark: I tried to open the door, but the lady was right. It was locked. I had to go back to the office to get the key. The one we always use was missing, so I had to get the other key out of the desk drawer. Then I walked back and opened the door. I called out before I went in, just in case someone was there, but no one answered, so I went in. That's when I saw her.

Detective Murphy: Go on.

Johnny Clark: I thought maybe she had fainted, so I walked towards her and then I saw the blood. Lots of blood. It makes me sick just thinking about it all. It was awful.

Detective Murphy: Did you notice anything else?

Johnny Clark: Oh yeah. Candles. All lined up in the shape of a cross and they were burning. It was eerie.

Detective Armstrong: Did you touch anything, or pick up anything?

Johnny Clark: Gosh, no. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Her eyes were open and I knew she was dead. The lady that was behind me screamed and ran out the door. I got goosebumps then, and I ran out, too.

Detective Armstrong: Think carefully now. Are you sure that's all?

Johnny Clark: I can't think of anything else. Oh yeah, I did see some paper on the floor. Maybe a gum wrapper or candy wrapper. That isn't important though, I'm sure.

Detective Armstrong: Everything is important, Johnny. Who used the restroom last?

Johnny Clark: We have a lot of people using the restrooms. I don't remember who was there last. I've been trying to think if there was anything I could have done. Something maybe I missed that would have warned me. And then I remembered that I saw some guy walking out of the office earlier tonight. He acted like he was hiding something under his jacket, so I ran in the office to see if anything was stolen, but nothing was gone that I could see.
After all this happened tonight, I was thinking maybe that was what he was doing. Taking the sign and the key.

Detective Murphy: What did he look like?

Johnny Clark: I never saw his face. And he was in my view for only a few seconds. He went around the corner towards the restrooms, and I forgot about him.

Detective Armstrong: Picture him in your mind, Johnny. Nothing that you can tell us?

Johnny Clark: His hair was dark. But I can't remember anything else about him.

Detective Murphy: Thank you, Johnny, and if you recall anything else...

Johnny Clark: Wait! I did notice that he was whistling. Sounded a little like a song I used to sing in church when I was a little boy. Is that important?

Detective Murphy: Could be, you never know.

Johnny Clark: I have to get back to work now. Bye

Detective Murphy: Goodbye.