Monday, April 14, 2008 - 10:23 a.m.

The witness was identified as a businessman convicted of narcotics distribution, solicitation, and racketeering. 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.

Detective T. Armstrong
Detective S. Murphy
Ricardo Brutnell

 

Detective Murphy: Thank you for talking to us. We appreciate your willingness to come into the office.

Ricardo Brutnell: Not a problem, Detective. I'm glad to help.

Detective Murphy: Can you please state your name and address?

Ricardo Brutnell: I am Ricardo Brutnell and I reside at 203 Bramlett Boulevard.

Detective Murphy: And your occupation?

Ricardo Brutnell: I have many business interests. But for your purposes, you can record me as the owner of Brutnell Body Shop.

Detective Armstrong: Many business interests! Yeah, right.

Ricardo Brutnell: You should know, Detective. You've examined my affairs quite extensively over the years. Which, I'm sure, causes you no end of grief since you haven't been able to prove anything against me.

Detective Murphy: Quite an attitude there.

Detective Armstrong: Oh, that's nothing. Ricardo's actually being quite modest. He likes to talk all elegant and everything and act like he's Don Corleone.

Ricardo Brutnell: I'm just a humble businessman.

Detective Murphy: Anyway, can you tell us how you knew Charles Tatum?

Ricardo Brutnell: He arrested me some years ago. I believe he objected to the fact that I was providing shelter to wayward women--

Detective Armstrong: You were running the biggest brothel in northern Mississippi!

Ricardo Brutnell: Nevertheless, Officer Tatum arrested me and he testified at my trial.

Detective Murphy: How did you feel about that?

Ricardo Brutnell: About him testifying? I had no opinion on the matter.

Detective Murphy: You weren't mad or angry or anything?

Ricardo Brutnell: He was doing his job. By the nature of my business, our paths intersected. Simple as that. He won that engagement and I have won many others.

Detective Armstrong: This guy kills me. He acts like he's a lawyer talking about his competitor who beat him in court and then they go out and play golf.

Ricardo Brutnell: I did buy Officer Tatum a cup of coffee one time. I am no street corner thug. Let's be honest here. You know how I live; I make no bones about it. I conduct my business and you try to stop me. You do what you do, and I do what I do. But I am far from being some hopped up gangbanger with an attitude. I can't really see me riding around in my Mercedes looking for "five-oh so I's can pop a cap in they ass."

Detective Murphy: So you harbored no ill will towards Officer Tatum?

Ricardo Brutnell: As hard as it is for you to understand, no. I did not wish him any ill will.

Detective Armstrong: Spoken like a true Samaritan.

Ricardo Brutnell: You know as well as I do that if he tried to stop me, and I had to choose between his life and going back to prison that I would not hesitate to put him down. However, I have been focusing on very legitimate and respectable business ventures lately--

Detective Armstrong: Bull****!

Ricardo Brutnell: --and I had no reason to cause Officer Tatum any harm.

Detective Murphy: Can you tell us what you were doing around the first week of April?

Ricardo Brutnell: I was visiting family in Atlanta. I also had some business associates to meet there. I was in Atlanta from March 29  through April 9.

Detective Murphy: Give us the names.

Ricardo Brutnell: Without hesitation. You see, I really have nothing to hide in this case. I'll be glad to give you any information you need.

Detective Murphy: Thanks.

Interview ends 10:41 a.m.