Monday, July 10, 2001 - 10:30 a.m.

This witness, Matthew Swinney is the eight-year-old son of Cal and Donna Swinney. In accordance with regulations, the court appointed a psychologist and an attorney to represent the minor's interests. Both parties were present during the interview, which Detectives Armstrong and Murphy conducted at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office.

TA = Detective T. Armstrong

SM = Detective S. Murphy

BJ = Barbara Jessop, psychologist appointed to the minor, Matthew Swinney

CT = Charles Taylor, Counsel appointed to the minor, Matthew Swinney

MS = Matthew Swinney, minor interviewee.

BJ: Hi Matthew. We met a little while ago and talked a few minutes, didn't we?

MS: Yeah.

BJ: I understand your parents and some friends call you Matty. Would you like us to call you Matt or Matty? Or maybe you would prefer Matthew?

MS: I don't care.

BJ: Well, how about we strike a happy medium and call you Matt? Would that be okay?

MS: Sure. Fine.

BJ: Well, Matt, I'd like you to meet the other people here. This is Mr. Taylor. He is an attorney and represents you. That means he's your lawyer and he's here to make sure that everybody plays fair and to help you out if you have any questions at any time while we're talking, okay? Then over here are Detective Armstrong and Detective Murphy. They want to ask you a few questions. We all want you to know that, no matter what you tell us, you can't get in trouble here. The detectives just need some information and we think you're the person who can help us the most. Do you understand everything?

MS: I guess. Does this have something to do with that man who was killed at my dad's work?

TA: Well, in a way, Matt. But we were mostly interested in your mother. I understand she's been gone for a while. Is that right?

MS: Yeah. She's been gone for a long time now. I really miss her.

TA: Well, I bet you do! Have you heard from her since she's been gone?

MS: No, and she told me she'd call me. I don't understand why she hasn't called me. Do you think she had a car wreck or something?

TA: Has your dad said anything about that, Matt?

MS: He's real mad at her 'cause she hasn't called me. He says bad things about her.

TA: Can you tell us what bad things he says, Matt? It's okay. We won't tell him what you say. It's just between us.

MS: He says she don't love us no more and she ran away to live somewhere else. But she told me she loved me and no matter what happened between her and Dad that they both loved me, and it wasn't my fault. She said she'd be back soon so we could be together, her and me. That no matter what, us two would be together.

TA: You said she told you that it wasn't your fault. What wasn't your fault?

MS: That it wasn't my fault she was unhappy and didn't want to live with Dad any more. They'd been fighting a lot just before she left. I couldn't help but hear them.

TA: When was the last time you talked to her or heard from her?

MS: That day she took me to school. The day that man was killed at my Dad's work.

TA: She took you to school that day?

MS: Yeah, she did sometimes. She told me she was going away for a few days to think things over, and she'd call me soon. But she never did call. She told me Ray's mother said I could stay there in the mornings after Dad left for work. You know, before school? 'Cept school's over now. But she said she was comin' home in a few days and then we'd know what we were going to do. We might move away, just her and me and not Dad. But she never came home... and she never called... and... and...

TA: Try to hang in there, buddy. I know this is hard. Did your mom tell you where she was going to think things over?

MS: No. I wish she did 'cause then I'd know where to go look for her, but she didn't and now I... I don't know... I should have asked her... I just didn't...

BJ: Detectives, I think Matt could use a break. Don't you, Matt? Would you like a drink of soda or something?

MS: Yes, please. That would be great.

BJ: Okay Matt. Enjoy your soda, and we'll start again in a few minutes.

(Interview suspended at 10:47 a.m. Resumed at 10:55 a.m.)

BJ: Okay, Matt. Do you feel better? Tell us if you feel as though you don't want to talk any more. I know it's not easy for you.

MS: No, it's okay.

TA: Say, Matt, how do you and your dad get along when your mom's not there?

MS: We get along okay. He's better since my mom's gone. Anyways he's not yellin' at her all the time. He was great about goin' to my Little League games, and he takes me fishin' some. We both like fishin'.

TA: Now you're talkin' about my favorite pastime. What do you like to fish for?

MS: I don't care as long as it's fishin'. But we like to go to Lake Puskus 'cause we can fish for crappie or catfish. It's so close we can go after Dad gets off work, and have plenty of time before it gets dark.

TA: Oh yeah, that's a great place to fish. Do you ever go camping there?

MS: Yeah. We were just there a couple of weeks ago. My dad had some time off, and we took a tent and went up there. Just Dad and me. It was great.

TA: How was the fishin'?

MS: Pretty good. We caught enough for our dinner one night.

TA: Well Matt, Detective Murphy and I were talking during the break, and I think you've cleared up the things we were wondering about so you can go now. But just in case we have more questions later, would it be okay if we talked to you again?

MS: Yeah, I guess so. But what about my mom? Do you know were she is and why she hasn't called me? Why hasn't she come home? I'm worried about her.

BJ: Have you asked your dad about it? What does he say?

MS: I don't wanna ask him! He just gets mad and starts yellin' and callin' her bad names. I hate it when he bad-mouths her. Can I go now? I don't wanna talk about it anymore, okay? I just want you to tell me where my mom is.

BJ: Of course, Matt. You don't have to talk about it anymore if you don't want to. We all want to find out where your mom is, and the detectives are working very hard to find her. And you've been a big help to them today.

TA: Yes, you have been a big help and we thank you very much. And I promise you, as soon as we find your mom, we'll tell her how much you want to talk to her. Okay?

MS: Okay. Do you think that'll be soon?

TA: I don't know, son. I'm sorry.

MS: What am I supposed to tell Dad when he asks what we talked about?

TA: Well, if you want to tell him what we said, you can. We don't want you to feel like you have to lie to him. But if you'd rather not tell him what we talked about, you just tell him I said it's police business and he should call me. Or better yet, have him call your attorney, Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor, will you give Matt your card, please?

CT: Certainly. Here you are.

MS: Thank you.

End interview 11:04 a.m.