Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 12:35 PM
The witness was identified as someone who attended the party
at which the
Blake Jenson died. Detectives Murphy and Armstrong interviewed the
witness at
the Yoknapatawpha Sheriffs Department and recorded the interview on a
portable
tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.
Detective Ted Armstrong
Detective
Samantha Murphy
Ron Baldwin
Detective Armstrong: Good morning. Thank you for coming in.
Have a seat.
Ron Baldwin: Okay. Whadda you want from me?
Detective Armstrong: First, state your name and address for
our records.
Ron Baldwin: Why? You gonna be watchin' me? I never done
nuthin'.
Detective Armstrong: You haven't been accused of anything.
Yet. Now what is
your name and address?
Ron Baldwin: This is a lotta crap. You know that stuff
already. But I'll
play the game. My name is Ron Baldwin and I live at 1417 North Lamar,
in this
little burg.
Detective Armstrong: What's the name of "this little burg,"
wise
guy?
Ron Baldwin: Last time I looked at the sign it still said,
Oxford.
Detective Armstrong: What do you know about the death of Blake
Jenson?
Ron Baldwin: I don't know nuthin'. I know he had a great band
and I was a
fan. I hate it that the band is done.
Detective Armstrong: What band? And where did you see it?
Ron Baldwin: Come on. You know the band, Random Deeds! They
played almost
every weekend at Proud Larry's or the Jubilee. I never missed a gig.
Detective Murphy: How did you happen to be at Jenson's cottage
on the night
he died?
Ron Baldwin: I was invited. You didn't know that, did ja?
Well, Kent told me
to come on over, so I went. How cool is that?! Couldn't hardly wait.
Guitar
Hero is one of my favorite games, though I could never play in the same
class
as Jenson.
Detective Murphy: Do you mean Kent Erdell? When did he invite
you?
Ron Baldwin: Yeah, Kent. One of the best guitar players
around. Know what
I'm sayin'? I happened to catch him sitting at the bar at Proud Larry's
during
a break and just walked up and sat down by him. He's a real friendly
dude.
Detective Armstrong: I guess so, if he invited you. How did
that come about?
Did you invite yourself?
Ron Baldwin: Everyone ain't like you, dude. Some people
are decent. We
got to talkin' about video games and I told him how I was addicted to
Guitar
Hero. He told me they were havin' a party on Sunday night and to come
on over.
He's a good friend of Blake's and he said Blake wouldn't mind. So, I
went. I
don't get invited to parties with the bands, so I was amped. Know what
I'm
sayin'?
Detective Armstrong: And you don't know why you don't get
invited? And don't
call me dude. Know what I'm sayin'?
Ron Baldwin: It's because of you guys, and you know it. You
guys spread the
word that I'm a gangsta. You accused me of gankin' that kid's bike. I
oughta
sue cause you never proved it.
Detective Armstrong: What happened at the party?
Ron Baldwin: Jenson was gettin' ready to get started. There
was a guy there
who thought he could beat Jenson at Guitar Hero. Name was Stix, I
think. It
looked like it was gonna be fun to see. Food was ordered and when it
got there,
everyone ran to the kitchen like they was starved and the next thing
you know,
the lights went out. Know what I'm sayin'? That Stix guy brought bad
juju, man.
Detective Armstrong: Then what?
Ron Baldwin: They came back on and I heard someone scream from
the rec room.
When the lights came back on I went into the room, Blake was on
the
floor. Dead. Ruined everything. I didn't get to see no challenge or
nuthin'.
What a drag.
Detective Armstrong: Too bad your night was ruined. Did you
see anything odd
or wrong?
Ron Baldwin: Like what? I didn't see nuthin' except a dead guy
on the floor.
I heard the girl yell call 911, and then everyone went crazy. The
police came,
took down our names and I got outta there. Know what I'm sayin'? It was
a bad
beat.
Detective Armstrong: Did you have anything to do with the
death of Blake
Jenson?
Ron Baldwin: I knew it. I knew it. You're tryin' to pin this
on me! Stealing
a bike ain't like killin' someone. Even if I didn't steal no bike. I
knew
comin' here without a mouthpiece was a mistake. I ain't talkin' no
more.
Detective Armstrong: Don't go far, pal. I'm sure we will be
talking to you
again. Soon.
Ron Baldwin: Not if I can help it. I don't wanna be in the
same room with
you again.
Interview ended at 12:47 PM |
