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Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 7:00 a.m.
The offender, who has been identified as John Reagle by the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department, was arrested Monday night, July 14, 2003 at Duffy's Bar and Grill on Jackson Avenue West. The interview was conducted by Det. Ted Armstrong and Det. Sam Murphy. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witnesses' knowledge and consent.
- TA = Detective T. Armstrong
- SM = Detective S. Murphy
- JR = John Reagle
SM: Good morning, Mr. Reagle. Do you know why you are here?
JR: Yes, ma'am, I think I do.
SM: You have been given your rights. Do you understand them?
JR: Yes, ma'am.
SM: Good. Do you wish to have an attorney present during questioning?
JR: No. I don't think I need one. I didn't do anything.
SM: Fine. Let's get started. Would you state you full name and address for me please?
JR: My name is John Reagle and I live at 522 CR 418, Oxford. Can I have a drink of water please?
SM: Sure. Last night you were in possession of a human hand at Duffy's bar. Do you remember that?
JR: A hand! Are you sure? I thought that was a root! How would a hand get on my farm?
SM: That's what we would like to know.
TA: Didn't it seem rather odd to you that it had a bad smell?
JR: Not really. I have come across some really smelly roots since I've been farming, especially when I'm cultivating. I try to get that done before the heat of the day, in the morning. It never dawned on me it would be a hand. I was drinking all day. What can I say?
SM: Do you always drink while you are working?
TA: That's a pretty bad habit considering the machines you use.
JR: No, I don't always drink while I work. Look, I saw it after I finished cultivating the crop because of its odd shape. I dug it out and put it in a plastic container, you know, for the effect. I thought it would be funny to take it to Duffy's. You know, a practical joke.
SM: So you found this so-called root the same day you brought it to Duffy's?
JR: Yeah.
TA: You never saw it before then?
JR: No.
SM: We have several witnesses who said you told them it was your ex-girlfriend's hand. Is it her hand?
JR: No way! Not that I know of, anyway.
TA: Then why would you say that?
JR: I don't know. It made the joke funnier, I guess.
SM: Where is your ex-girlfriend now?
JR: How do I know? She left me like a month ago, with both of her hands! And she left town. She left in a hurry and didn't tell me anything. I think she was cheating on me, but I didn't do anything to her.
TA: So you just thought that would be funny? Telling everyone it was your ex's hand?
JR: Yeah!
SM: What is her name, your ex-girlfriend?
JR: Lisa Holman. She used to work at the beauty salon, I can't remember
the name. It's the one on University avenue, next to Blockbuster video.
SM: So this root was just sitting there in your field for the taking?
JR: No. I had to dig it out, like I said.
TA: What did you use to dig it out with?
JR: I used a post hole digger. It was the first thing handy at the time.
SM: Do you still have it?
JR: Yes, of course. Tools don't come cheap these days,
TA: Since this is just all a big mix up, I guess you wouldn't mind showing us exactly where you found your big joke?
JR: No, I can show you exactly where I found it. I know my property like, well, the back of my hand.
SM: Okay then, we'll make arrangements. You know this is no guarantee you will be released, but we will put in a good word for you at the arraignment.
JR: Look, I didn't do anything wrong here!
TA: We are going to have to let the judge decide whether you get released or not.
End interview - 7:23 a.m.
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