Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:00 a.m.

At the detectives' request, Selena Crosscroft came into the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office for a follow-up interview. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

TA = Detective Ted Armstrong

SM = Detective Sam Murphy

SC = Selena Crosscroft

SM: We have asked you to come back in today because we have a few more questions for you in connection with our investigation of Missy Hammond's homicide. As you know, we will be recording your interview. Do you have any objection to that?

SC: No. I'm willing to assist you in any way I can.

SM: Thank you. For the record, would you state your name and address then?

SC: Selena Crosscroft, 408 Choctaw Drive.

SM: You told us in your prior interview that on the day of the murder, January 26th, you were at work.. Do you recall if Roger called you that day?

SC: While I was at work? No. Roger rarely calls me at my job because I'm frequently out of the office on field work. We have to follow up on placements.

SM: Several of your co-workers have told us you were late for your 4:00 meeting that Friday. Can you tell us why you were late?

SC: Let me think back. It's not unusual for me to be late. Roger has the same problem, so it doesn't bother either of us much. Oh, now I remember. It's a little embarrassing. I rushed out to the bank to go to the drive-through window before it closed . When I closed the car door, I caught my skirt in the door and it ripped. I had a presentation prepared for the staff meeting on interviewing techniques for prospective foster parents. I had to stop home to change before the meeting. I was only about 10 minutes late, I think.

SM: What bank was that?

SC: First National, on the square.

SM: Can you tell us what time the meeting ended and where you went from there?

SC: The meeting ended about 5:30 or so. After that, I finished up some paperwork, and left the office.

SM: What time did you leave the office?

SC: I don't know. Six? 6:30?

SM: Where did you go after you left your office?

SC: I stopped at the dry cleaners and then went home to relax a little before I met Roger for dinner.

SM: What time did you meet him and where?

SC: I think it was around eight o'clock? I went over to City Grocery around then to meet him.

SM: Was he there when you arrived?

SC: No. I had a glass of wine and he arrived shortly thereafter. We ate dinner and then we went to a movie.

SM: Why so late?

SC: What do you mean?

SM: Why did you and Roger wait until eight o'clock to meet for dinner?

SC: I don't remember.

SM: Could it have been because Roger was with his parents and his daughter until then?

SC: I don't know what you're talking about.

TA: Give it up, Selena. Roger already told us he'd been seeing Liddie on Friday afternoons when she was with his parents.

SC: Well, why shouldn't he? He has every right to spend time with her.

TA: Not according to the family court judge.

SC: Judges have been wrong before.

SM: Do you know if Roger has contacted his attorney to start any custody proceedings since Missy's death?

SC: Not to my knowledge. After Missy got the protection order against him back in July, his attorney told him it would be best to keep a low profile for awhile and let the dust settle. With Missy gone now, things will change. All I know is I'll stand behind Roger and help him in any way I can. He deserves to have his little girl at home with him.

SM: We have reviewed the report on the incident at Ms. Hammond's house in July. The report indicates to us that Roger's violent behavior is what prompted Missy to obtain the Protection Order. May I ask if in your time dating Roger whether he has ever shown any violent propensities toward you?

SC: Roger is always a perfect gentleman. Of course, we have our disagreements just like any other couple, but he would never lay a hand on me or anyone else.

TA: We have reason to believe Roger might have coked up that day.

SC: As I've told you before Roger's drug problem has been put to rest, so whoever told you that was lying. Who said that?

TA: You know we're not going to tell you that. How do you know his drug use is old news? Because he told you?

SC: Yes, because he told me! And I'm a licensed social worker, for god's sake. Don't you think I'd know if Roger was using again?

TA: I don't know. Would you?

SC: Yes!

TA: What are the signs of cocaine use again? Let's see. Trouble sleeping, lying to people around you, irritability, mood swings, restlessness, loss of appetite, feelings of paranoia, anxiety, depression. Not to mention the physical effects like increased heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, dilated pupils, abnormal heartbeat. Roger ever exhibit any of those signs?

SC: Wh-, I-, no, of course not! I mean, certainly everyone feels anxious or depressed or irritable from time to time, and Roger has too. But it's not because of drug use. If anything, I'd blame it on Missy and all the stress and pain she was causing him.

SM: We understand that Roger was sometimes behind in his child support payments. Did he ever ask you for money, or say that he was having financial problems?

SC: Roger makes a very good salary. Our finances are separate. What I mean is, we don't have a joint account or anything, so I wouldn't know if his payments were on time or not.

SM: Did you know that Roger had an insurance policy on Missy's life?

SC: Yes. He told me that while he and Missy were married they bought policies on each other to make sure Liddie would be provided for in case of either of their deaths. He had a friend in the insurance business who they used a lot for car insurance at the dealership and his company also sold life insurance policies so they would --

SM: Excuse me. May I interrupt you a moment? Did you know that the policy was still in effect?

SC: Now? Uh... no! You mean Roger can collect money on Missy's death?

SM: Possibly, yes.

SC: Well, I guess it would look good for him in his custody case to keep up the policy. Perhaps his attorney had suggested he do that.

TA: Just one more question. Do you know a woman named Maureen Kirby?

SC: No, I don't think so.

TA: It's just a connection that came up in the case that you both go to La Bohéme hair salon and we wondered if you two knew each other.

SC: I do go there all the time. Maybe I would recognize her if I saw her, but no, I don't know the name.

TA: We have a photograph of her right here.

SC: Huh. I don't know. She looks sort of familiar maybe, but I'm not sure. Maybe if I saw her in person. But she's not a friend or anything like that.

TA: Do you know who she is? Maureen Kirby?

SC: I just said no.

TA: I mean, do you know what her connection to Missy is?

SC: Of course not. Since I don't know her, how could I know that?

TA: So if I told you she's married to Missy's high school boyfriend, Steve Kirby, that would come as a complete surprise to you?

SC: Yes. I'm telling you, I don't know her.

SM: Okay... I think those are all the questions we have for you at this time. Thank you for coming in today. We'll be in touch if we need to talk to you again.

End interview 11:43 a.m.