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Saturday, August 2, 2003 - 10:00 a.m.
Carl Fine, who was identified as the half-brother of the victim, was interviewed at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. The interview was conducted by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy and was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.
- TA = Detective T. Armstrong
- SM = Detective S. Murphy
- CF = Carl Fine
SM: Thank you for coming in. We appreciate you talking to us. This must be a tough time for you.
CF: I'm hanging in there, I reckon. 'Bout as well as can be expected.
TA: For the record, can you please state your name and address?
CF: I'm Carl Fine and I live at 108 Warren Street.
SM: And your relationship to Andy Fine?
CF: He was my half-brother.
TA: Younger or older?
CF: I'm about two and a half years older.
SM: Can you tell us about your relationship with Andy?
CF: Well, it's no secret that Andy had a bit of a temper. So he could be tough to get along with. But at the same time, I worked hard to keep our relationship on a solid footing. So although I ain't blind to his bad qualities, I still think we cared for each other as brothers should.
TA: I don't mean to be disrespectful, so I apologize if this sounds rude--
CF: Go ahead. Say whatever you want.
TA: But why bother? I mean, plenty of people seemed to be ready to give up on Andy. Why go to all the trouble?
CF: Family, I suppose. Nothing more, nothing less. When I lost my daddy, it really taught me how important family is. Plus, my stepfather Robert was always real square with me. He treated me just as well as he treated his real son. That always meant a lot to me. So I think I felt like I owed it to him to maintain a relationship with Andy. I tried to look out for him when I could.
SM: How would you describe Andy's relationship with his wife?
CF: They had their ups and downs, like all couples. I suppose it was a good relationship, though.
TA: You used to date her, didn't you?
CF: I did. A long time ago.
TA: How'd that make you feel? When she took up with him?
CF: I was a bit sore. But people got to do what's right for them.
TA: You sound like you handled it really well. You're not jealous or pissed or anything?
CF: I ain't the type to hold a grudge. A man and woman want to be together, I'm not going to begrudge them nothing. Besides, if they really want to see each other, you're not going to stop them. I just figured I'd get out of the way and we'd all be a lot happier than if I made a big deal about it.
SM: When was the last time you saw Andy?
CF: It was right before the holiday. July 3rd.
SM: What did y'all do?
CF: We went to Duffy's. Andy give me a call and told me to meet them up there.
TA: What happened that night?
CF: We had some drinks. Hung out. Played some pool. The usual night out.
TA: We've heard that Andy was pretty wound up that night.
CF: Yeah, I guess he was. He got pretty drunk and started in on people. Like he was wont to do. He argued with Cindy over some silly stuff and then got into an argument with some of the guys. Folks like Dudley Brinkman, Eddie Dooley, and those guys. It was annoying, but at the same time, a standard night out with Andy.
SM: Nothing out of the ordinary at all?
CF: Well, he lost his watch that night. My stepfather gave him a watch when he went into the Navy and, you know, it meant a lot to him. He claimed somebody stole it, but hell, he was so tanked, I don't know why he'd know that.
TA: Tanked, huh?
CF: Yeah, he'd had a few beverages. That ain't against the law, is it?
TA: No, didn't mean anything by it.
CF: So he thought someone stole the watch and he got real riled up. He argued with Cindy and she finally just left. She just figured to let him blow off some steam and so she got out of there.
SM: Do you remember what time Cindy left?
CF: I don't recall exactly. Maybe around 12:15 or so.
TA: Then what happened?
CF: Andy turned on me and we squared off. We argued for a while and then I said to hell with him too. I left him there about 12:40 or 12:45. Somewhere thereabouts.
SM: And where did you go?
CF: I went home.
SM: Did anyone see you or can anyone confirm that?
CF: Well, I live alone. So ain't no one that can vouch for that, if that's what you're getting at. Think I killed my brother?
SM: I didn't mean any offense. We have to ask certain questions.
CF: I stopped at the Chevron. Got a chicken-on-a-stick. S'pose that kid working behind the counter might remember me.
TA: What kind of car do you drive?
CF: No car. I drive a Jeep.
SM: Do you know what Andy did after you left Duffy's?
CF: I don't know any real details. I've heard he sat around the bar just pissing on people and then he left. Walked home, I supposed. I don't know how he got out to Aunt Minnie's.
SM: How often did he go out to that farm house?
CF: He went out there right regular. He used it as a party place and also just a quiet place to get away.
TA: Do you go out there much yourself?
CF: I go out there some, or used to. But no, I don't get out there that much.
SM: Why not?
CF: Just too busy, I reckon.
TA: When was the last time you were there?
CF: Uh, back in late winter, early spring, I think. I went out there to cut a few cords of wood. Most of it's still in my backyard, so it must've been pretty late.
SM: Did you know that Andy was going out there on that night of July 3rd?
CF: No. He never mentioned he was going.
TA: Do you know if Andy owned a gun?
CF: Sure. He had a couple I believe. A light shotgun, maybe a .410. And a pistol.
SM: You act like that's not a big deal?
CF: You musta been watching too much liberal TV from up in New York or something. Almost every male in this county owns a gun. That's no big deal.
TA: Okay, do you have any idea what might have happened to him?
CF: Nah, I don't. I've thought on that quite a bit, but I can't come up with any ideas.
SM: Do you know anyone who would have wanted to hurt Andy?
CF: Not really. I mean, as we've discussed, Andy could be a real sonuvagun and he was tough to be around. But at the same time, that's just the way he was. Everyone knew that. He's always been that way. I don't know what would have set someone off now.
TA: What about his job? Was he happy there? Did he get along with people?
CF: Sure, as far as I know.
SM: Okay, Mr. Fine. I think that will do us for now. If you think of anything else that might help us, please give us a call.
CF: Sure.
End interview - 10:31 a.m.
This document was edited for typographical errors on Thursday, September 4, 2003 at 9:00 a.m.
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