Interview: Greg Cassidy, potential employer of the victim

Interview: Greg Cassidy, potential employer of the victim

The witness, who the victim was supposed to interview with the evening of the murder, was interviewed by the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. The interview was conducted by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy. The interview was recorded on a portable audio tape recorder with the witness' knowledge and consent.

TA= Detective T. Armstrong
SM= Detective S. Murphy
GC= Greg Cassidy

TA: Thank you for coming in this morning Mr. Cassidy.

GC: Of course. Anything I can do to help, but I don’t really know much about
Amy Bledsoe, you know.

SM: Before we begin may we have your name and address for the record, please?

GC: Greg Cassidy. I live at 1490 Madison Ave.

SM: Thank you, Mr. Cassidy. Now tell us how you came to know Miss Bledsoe?

GC: I advertised in the Oxford Eagle for a “Girl Friday” and she answered my ad.

TA: When was the first time you met her?

GC: I never did really meet her. We just talked on the phone.

SM: Didn’t she fill out an application for the position?

GC: No, I just talked to her on the phone. We had an appointment the day she was killed to meet and talk about the job.

TA: Exactly what kind of job are we talking about here?

GC: Well, I’m a photographer. I’ve been specializing in portraits, weddings, proms—that sort of thing, but I hope to do more magazine location work that would allow me to travel. I recently completed an assignment for Southern Living magazine, and they liked my work. In fact they are sending me on another assignment that requires me to travel. While I’m gone I want someone to answer my phone and do some filing, tend to mail—that sort of thing. I was impressed with Amy’s enthusiasm and interest when I talked to her on the phone. We scheduled a meeting so she could see my office and studio, and I could determine if she was right for the job.

SM: Did you see her the day she was killed?

GC: No, I didn’t. We had planned that I would pick her up and take her to my studio. That way we could talk and if I decided she was right for the job I could show her around. But she phoned me around 5:00 and said she had a ride and I didn’t need to pick her up after all. I tried to phone her later when she didn’t show up, but never could get a connection.

TA: Don’t you find it unusual for a prospective employer to pick up a young girl to take to his home for an interview?

GC: When we scheduled the interview Miss Bledsoe mentioned she would have to get a ride since she was between cars. I offered to pick her up. And it isn’t my home—it’s my studio that happens to be located in my home.

TA: What interested you in Miss Bledsoe, Mr. Cassidy? Are you attracted to young girls?

GC: I was interested because she was willing to work for a reasonable wage and learn about photography. That’s one of the things that impressed me when we talked on the phone—she seemed so eager to learn. She told me she wanted to do something more than work at McDonald’s. If you are implying something sinister here, Detective, you are way off base!

SM: What time did you say you talked to her, Mr. Cassidy?

GC: I said she called, but I didn’t talk to her. I must have been in my dark room and my machine got it. She just left the message that she had a ride and didn’t need me to pick her up, after all.

TA: What time did she call?

GC: It was around 5:00. I’d have to check my machine to tell you exactly.

SM: The message is still on your answering machine?

GC: Yes, I left it after I heard of Miss Bledsoe’s death. I thought you might need to check it.

TA: Okay, Mr. Cassidy. I think that’s all for today, but we may need to talk with you again.

GC: I leave soon on my photo shoot, Detective, but I’ll help in any way I can.
She seemed like such an enthusiastic young lady. It’s terrible what happened to her.

SM. Thank you, Mr. Cassidy. You have our number to call if you think of anything else?

GC: Yes, thank you. Good Bye.