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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 1:30 p.m.
Dudley Brinkman, who was identified as being in Duffy's establishment the night the victim disappeared, 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
- DB = Dudley Brinkman
DB: Why do I have to be here again? I told you everything I know the last time I was here.
TA: Calm down, fella, and start by stating your name and address for the record, please.
DB: Dudley Brinkman, 634 North Lamar. Now I think I'm entitled to an explanation. Last time, you hinted that Cindy and Robyn and God-knows-who-else were suspects. I'm surprised you didn't include my mother in that list. Now I suppose you're going to accuse me of killing Andy. Ridiculous!
SM: Don't get all riled, Mr. Brinkman. We just need to clarify some facts we're not clear on and we need your help, okay?
DB: Well, all right. Sorry for going off like that, but this whole thing has me off balance. I admit I didn't like the guy, but I'd never intentionally hurt anybody. You have to believe that.
SM: That's okay, Mr. Brinkman. We understand. And that's why you're here -- to help us smooth out some wrinkles in this case. First, we need you to think back to the night of July 3 and the early morning hours of July 4th. You said you never saw Andy after you left Duffy's that night at 11:00 or 11:30.
DB: That's right.
TA: And you said you went straight home after you left Huddle House at... let's see... you said, probably around 12:30?
DB: Right again.
SM: Well this is our dilemma, Mr. Brinkman. We have witnesses who ID'ed your vehicle as the one that was in the parking lot of Oxford Ridge apartments around 1:30 that morning. Are you sure you're not mistaken about what time you went home that night -- or early morning?
DB: No, Detective. I'm not mistaken, but your so-called witness is.
Besides, there must be hundreds of blue SUVs in Oxford -- and thousands in Mississippi.
SM: This witness had seen the same vehicle in that parking lot numerous times, and identified it as an Isuzu Rodeo. They also saw a person sitting in the front seat as though looking for someone or watching a particular apartment. And that just happens to be the apartments where Cindy and Andy Fine lived. Do you know anything about that?
DB: No, of course not. It could have been anyone. And I have better ways to spend my time besides sitting in a parking lot half the night. Get real. Besides, SUVs look so much alike, it could have been someone with a vehicle similar to mine.
SM: So you are sticking to your story?
DB: It's not a story, Detective. It's the truth.
TA: It's too bad you don't have some one to corroborate your alibi. Can you think of anyone who saw you near or at home around 12:30?
DB: As I told you before, Detective, my mother goes to bed early, and if I'd murdered someone, I would be sure to have an alibi.
SM: Well, perhaps it just happened. You saw the opportunity and grabbed it. You shot Andy Fine without planning it. Is that what happened?
DB: How many times do I have to tell you I didn't kill Andy Fine? And if you continue this line of questions, I'm going to have to ask for my attorney to be present.
TA: What would you say, Mr. Brinkman, if I were to tell you we have a witness who saw you return home at 5:00 a.m., not around 12:30 like you said?
DB: I'd say your so-called witness doesn't know how to tell time. Or they saw someone else because I was home long before 5:00 a.m. I may be a bit off on the time. It could have been closer to 1:00 a.m. or even 1:30 -- but 5:00 a.m.? No way. Or are you just trying to scare me into admitting something that didn't happen. Which is it, Detective?
TA: Okay, Mr. Brinkman. Tell me. Do you own a gun?
DB: No. I hate guns. I'd never own one.
TA: But you do know how to handle a gun, right?
DB: I'm sure my mother already told you my father taught me to shoot a rifle when I was kid. But I haven't touched a gun since I was about twelve. What's this all about?
SM: It's about a man being murdered, Mr. Brinkman.
DB: I know that. But how many times do I have to tell you I had nothing to do with Andy's death! The questions you are asking imply that I had something to do with his death. I didn't. Besides, I learned to shoot with a rifle. Was Andy shot with a rifle, Detective?
SM: A gun's a gun. Aim and squeeze. No big deal.
TA: What about Andy's so-called party pad out on Reagle Farm Road. Have you ever been there?
DB: No. I told you that before. I was never there.
TA: Then how would you explain your fingerprints on the Coleman Lantern we found at the property?
DB: What?
SM: Your fingerprints. On a Coleman lantern . At the farmhouse. How do you explain that?
DB: I can't. You must be mistaken
TA: No, sir. No mistake.
DB: My fingerprints? On a Coleman lantern? I have no idea... Oh, now I remember. I ran into Cindy at Wal-Mart one day. She was loading things into the trunk of her car. I stopped to help her. I must have left my fingerprint on the lantern when I put it in her trunk.
SM: It wasn't in a box?
DB: No. I remember her saying it was the last one. It had been on display and they'd lost the box. That must be how my fingerprints got there. I've never been to the property on Reagle Farm Road.
TA: Just when was this convenient meeting with Mrs. Fine in the parking lot of Wal-Mart?
DB: How would I know? It was months ago.
TA: Just give us a ballpark estimate. How long before the murder, would you say?
DB: I really couldn't say. It was the beginning of the summer, I think. Ah... maybe early June? It was a long time ago and hardly a memorable occasion.
TA: But it was memorable enough for you to remember it now. Right?
DB: I remember it because you asked me a specific question about the lantern. I answered you the best I know how.
TA: So Mrs. Fine will be able to back up your story -- of meeting her in the Wal-Mart parking lot when we ask her?
DB: Ah... well... ah. I don't know about that. It was a long time ago and such a trivial thing... and with all she's had on her mind... ah... well, she might not remember.
TA: You know, Detective Murphy, it sounds to me like we're going to have to arrest Mrs. Fine for this crime. Her alibi is weak. And she doesn't have anyone to back her up. Too bad she doesn't have a witness who knows Andy was alive when she left him like she says... dead drunk, but breathing. That might be enough to clear her.
SM: Yeah. Too bad.
DB: You can't be serious! Arrest Cindy? But she didn't kill him!
TA: How can you be so sure, Brinkman. Were you there?
DB: No... No, of course not. I just know Cindy isn't capable of... murder. It had to be someone else.
TA: And do you have any idea who that might be, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: It could have been anybody. There were lots of people who couldn't stand him.
SM: Including you, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: But I didn't kill him.
TA: Well, someone sure as hell did. And right now, Mrs. Fine looks better to me than anyone else.
DB: Well, keep looking for God's sake. Someone knows what happened out there. You just have to find him for Cindy's sake.
SM: Right now, she's our best suspect unless and until someone comes forward. By the way, Mr. Brinkman, your mother indicated to us that she had heard that in addition to Mr. Fine hitting Mrs. Fine, he had "forced himself" on her. That sounds like rape doesn't it?
DB: Yes, I guess so.
SM: Do you have any idea who might have told your mother that?
DB: No, but there were lots of stories about Cindy and Andy floating around. Everyone knew he was mistreating her.
TA: But did everyone think Andy Fine was raping his wife? And why wouldn't someone report that?
DB: People didn't want to stick their nose in where it wasn't wanted... probably for Cindy's sake. She had to be humiliated about something like that. People wanted to spare her feelings.
SM: Well, but how did these alleged people know about something like that unless they witnessed it?
DB: Who would witness something like that?
SM: Maybe someone who kept an eye on Cindy. Someone who followed Andy out to the farmhouse that night. Someone who witnessed a rape. Do you know anything about that, Mr. Brinkman?
DB: No, of course not. I told you I've never been out to the farmhouse.
SM: So you weren't the one who told your mother Andy forced himself on Cindy?
DB: I might have told her that. I might have heard it from Robyn. She talks to me about Cindy sometimes, you know.
TA: Oh, so you knew Andy was raping his wife before the night of the murder?
DB: You're twisting my words. I said I might have heard it from Robyn. I don't know when I heard about it.
SM: It must have made you angry.
DB: Yeah. I was angry at Andy about it, and angry that Cindy was so helpless.
TA: So maybe you decided to do something about it and you killed Andy.
DB: Will you stop that? How many times do I have to tell you? I didn't kill anybody.
SM: Mr. Brinkman, is there anything you would like to tell us about the gloves we found in your vehicle?
DB: My gloves? What about my gloves?
SM: That's what we're asking you. Is there anything you want to tell us about them?
DB: They are just ordinary work gloves like everyone has. I bought
them at Sneed's Hardware probably oh... ten years ago. I keep them in my SUV so they'll be handy when I need them. There's nothing to tell. I don't know why you took them. What do they have to do with anything?
SM: Just part of the investigation, Mr. Brinkman.
DB: Look. I have to be at work pretty soon. Are we about finished here?
TA: For now, Mr. Brinkman. Unless you have something more to say to us.
DB: No. I've said everything I'm going to. I want to go now.
SM: All right, Mr. Brinkman. But this case isn't over yet.
DB: I'm out of here.
End interview - 2:11 p.m.
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