Monday, April 14, 2008 - 1:11 p.m.

The witness was identified as a convicted drug trafficker. The victim was involved in his case. He was interviewed at the Sheriff's Department by members of the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. The interview was recorded on a portable audio tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

TA = Detective T. Armstrong
SM = Detective S. Murphy
JB = Joseph Baker, Jr.

 

Detective Armstrong: Please state your name and address for the record.

Joseph Baker: I live at 1008 Molly Barr Road, right here in Oxford.

Detective Armstrong: Are you currently employed?

Joseph Baker: Yeah, I'm working at Marquis Chevron.

Detective Armstrong: You were recently convicted of being under the influence and being in possession of 24 ounces of Crystal Methamphetamines with the intent to sell, is that correct?

Joseph Baker: That stuff was planted on me! I never sold no drugs and you can't prove I did. That cop planted that stuff on me. I didn't even live at that house when you guys raided it. I was just visiting my friend there.

Detective Murphy: Yeah, we know. None of you guys ever do anything wrong. You're all fine upstanding citizens.

Detective Armstrong: Tell us what happened that day, who busted you?

Joseph Baker: Some cop named Tatum did it. He's the one that must have planted that stuff on me. I was just sitting on the couch and all of a sudden they were beating on the door and busting in pointing guns in everybody's face. Then that cop that arrested me threw me down on the floor and handcuffed me. Said it wasn't my lucky day and wanted to know where the dope was hidden. I told him I didn't have any idea what he was talking about.

Detective Armstrong: Officer Tatum?

Joseph Baker: Yeah, something like that.

Detective Armstrong: What was your release date?

Joseph Baker: I got out on February 10th. A couple of months ago.

Detective Armstrong: Have you seen or heard anything about Deputy Tatum since your release?

Joseph Baker: Yeah, he stopped by where I work one day and said he was just checking to see how I was doing, but I know he was just telling me that he's watching me. But I ain't doing nothing wrong!

Detective Murphy: So you two didn't get along, huh? You think he was harassing you maybe?

Joseph Baker: Hell yes, he was harassing me! I wasn't doin' nothin'. As a matter of fact, I was workin'! He was a cop... no we didn't get along. He was always harassing me. I'd be walking down the street and he'd stop me for no reason! The lot of you are all alike! This here is a perfect example! Why am I in here? I didn't do nothin' wrong yet you pull me in here for nothing... That's why I steer a wide path around you guys, cuz you don't like me, and I don't like you! As I see it, y'all ought to mind your own business and let me mind mine! I ain't hurtin' nobody.

Detective Armstrong: Where were you on Saturday, March 30 from 1:00am till Thursday April 3, 1:00am?

Joseph Baker: Hell, who knows? That was almost three weeks ago! Who knows what I was doing... I don't remember! I wasn't out breakin' no law, that's for sure!

Detective Murphy: Unless you'd like to go back and finish that jail sentence, you'd better put your thinking cap on and remember where you were! This is important! Now where were you?!

Joseph Baker: You're gonna put me back in jail because I don't remember where I was? That's crazy! What are you tryin' to pull? Y'all are trying to set me up again!

Detective Armstrong: Look kid, I'm going to ask you one more time. Where were you on March 30 through April 3, from 1:00am Saturday till 1:00am Thursday morning?

Joseph Baker: I might have been working... wait... three weeks ago? I was at Willy's place Saturday and Sunday. He had a party that weekend and I went. Then I was at work on Monday, you can ask my boss, he was there and he reamed me for coming to work hung over.

Detective Armstrong: Willy who? Anybody else see you there?

Joseph Baker: Willy Holden. And yeah, there was other people that saw me there. Jack McClure was there, Melinda Owen, Paul Jacob, a whole bunch of people, they all saw me.

Detective Armstrong: Can you verify that you were at work on Wednesday? Any time cards or anything?

Joseph Baker: My boss can tell you. He always comes to the station two or three times a night when I'm working. It's like he don't trust me, or something.

Detective Armstrong: Have you heard anything about that cop that died recently, anything on the streets? Anybody you know with a grudge or did you hear anybody wanted to get revenge on him for ruining their lives? Anything at all?

Joseph Baker: Nope, not a word. I didn't even know the guy was dead. Like I said, I steer clear of you guys.

Detective Armstrong: Well, if you do hear anything you'll give us a call, won't you.

Joseph Baker: Right, sure I will.

Interview ends 1:29 p.m.