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Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 10:52 a.m.
Peter Buchanan, identified as a co-worker of Andrew Fine at Laughlin Automotive & Body Shop, was interviewed at his place of employment by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy. The interview was recorded a portable tape recorder with the subject's knowledge and consent.
- TA = Detective T. Armstrong
- SM = Detective S. Murphy
- PB = Peter Buchanan
SM: Thank you for agreeing to talk with us, Mr. Buchanan. Would you please state your name and address for the record?
PB: Glad to help if I can, Detective. My name is Peter Buchanan, but
most everybody calls me Buck. I live at 307 Williams .
TA: What we're especially interested in, Buck, is learning more abut Andy Fine and his relationship with people. What can you tell us?
PB: Well, for one thing, I'll bet you never heard anyone say what a nice guy he was, have you?
SM: Please, Buck, we'll ask the questions here. Have you, personally, ever heard anyone call him a nice guy?
PB: Not on your life! He was an SOB, if there ever was one. And the
way he treated that sweet little wife of his... He was a bastard for
sure!
TA: Did you ever see him mistreat his wife?
PB: No, he was careful about not pushin' her around in public, but he bragged at work about keeping her in line and we all pretty much knew what he meant.
SM: How did he get along with the men at work, and his boss, Mr. Laughlin? And with you, Buck?
PB: He didn't give me no trouble. Maybe 'cause I was bigger than he was. I may be near old enough to be his father, but he sure didn't scare me none. He mostly picked on guys who let him bully them. He was a great one for mouthin' off about a guy's weaknesses. Tauntin' and belittlin'. Big bully is what he was. Weren't no love lost with most of the guys who work here.
TA: What about Mr. Laughlin? Did he know what was going on? Why did he keep Andy on if he was a troublemaker?
PB: Ole Andy was smart. He did his work and didn't let the boss see him give the other guys a bad time. I will say he was good at his job, and the boss let him make the runs to Memphis for parts. They always seemed to hit it off... except right near the end before he got himself killed. One day, Andy went into the boss' office and when he came out, he was smirkin' and the boss looked like he was 'bout to puke.
SM: Did Andy say anything to give you a clue what that was all about?
PB: Nope. For once, kept his big mouth shut. Funny, too, 'cause Andy wasn't the type to play anything close to the chest, but he did that day.
TA: Did anything change between the boss and Andy after that?
PB: Hard to say. Boss still let him do the Memphis runs and it seemed like maybe he gave Andy a raise, but I tell you what -- every time he laid eyes on Andy after that day, the boss looked like he was gonna spit nails. Andy didn't pay him no mind. Almost got off on it, in a way. I don't know. They acted like everything was normal, but something was different. I'd bet on it.
SM: You didn't ask either of them about it?
PB: Do I look stupid to you? Hell no, I didn't ask! Man don't live to be my age tanglin' with the likes of those two.
SM: You thought one of them might kill you if you asked?
PB: Lady, give me a break! All I'm sayin' is there's some things a man's better off not stickin' his nose into. Okay?
TA: When was the last time you saw Andy?
PB: That day at work before we took off for the Fourth.
TA: So that would be July 3rd?
PB: Yeah.
TA: Andy say what he was doing for the holiday?
PB: Not to me. Heard later, after they found his body, that he'd invited some of the guys to Duffy's that night to celebrate.
TA: Do you know anyone from work who was at Duffy's that night?
PB: Hell, no! Nobody who has to put up with Andy all day wanted to spend his free time with him. He was a royal pain in the butt.
SM: Do you think any one here decided they'd had enough of Andy to kill him?
PB: No, ma'am. We're all law 'bidin' citizens here at Laughlin's. Andy may have been a pain, but nobody hated him so much that they'd kill him! No, ma'am. He was just like a pesky little bug you just had to keep swipin' away. But kill him? No, ma'am. Not worth all the hassle that'd come after.
SM: What would come after?
PB: Pretty much, this right here. What we're doin'.
SM: I see. Well, if you think of anything else that will help us in this investigation, will you please call us?
PB: Sure will, ma'am. I didn't like the guy, but I didn't wish him dead. I feel sorry for that little wife of his. This must be hard on her with them findin' him like they did. A real mess is what it is.
TA: Yes, sir. Well, thank you.
PB: So I can go back to work now?
SM: Yes, Buck, and thank you.
PB: Glad to help, ma'am.
End interview - 11:08 a.m.
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