Monday, April 21, 2008 - 3:15 p.m.

The witness was identified as a bartender at Murff's. 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
Claude Myrick

 

Detective Murphy: Thanks for coming in, Claude. Would you state your name and address for the record?

Claude Myrick: Sure thing. Claude Myrick. 105 Longest , Oxford.

Detective Murphy: Thank you. Now, Claude, you know we're investigating the murder of Detective Charles Tatum?

Claude Myrick: It's a damn shame what happened to ol' Charlie. He was a good man. We're all going to miss him.

Detective Murphy: So you knew Charlie?

Claude Myrick: Oh sure. He came into the bar pretty regular. Almost every Wednesday night and sometimes he would drop in other nights.

Detective Murphy: The bar you're referring to is Murff's at 1210 Harrison, right?

Claude Myrick: That's it.

Detective Anderson: Y'all are open on Sundays?

Claude Myrick: Like you don't know the answer to that one, Ted. Yeah, we're open Sundays. We can't serve any liquor, of course, but people still like to come in to get something to eat, play a little pool. We have what they call a brown bag permit, so people can bring in their own liquor on Sundays, if they want to, and we'll sell 'em mixers or whatever non-alcoholic thing they want to go with it.

Detective Murphy: When was the last time you saw Charlie in the bar? Do you remember?

Claude Myrick: Must have been about a month ago now...

Detective Anderson: What day of the week? Was it one of his regular  visits?

Claude Myrick: Yes, I do believe it was a Wednesday. 

Detective Anderson: Is there any way you can narrow the date down for us? You said it was about a month ago. Charlie's body was found two weeks ago yesterday. You think it was about two weeks before that when you saw him last?

Claude Myrick: Has it only been two weeks? Hard to believe. But now that you put it like that, I don't think it has been quite a month. I think it was the Wednesday before... well, before we found out he'd passed on.

Detective Murphy: How sure are you of that? Could it have been the previous Wednesday, the 26th of March?

Claude Myrick: No, I don't think it was that long ago. In fact, I remember thinking when I heard he'd passed on that I'd just seen him a few days before that. So it must have been that Wednesday just before the body was found.

Detective Murphy: So, April 2?

Claude Myrick: That sounds right. You're the one looking at the calendar there, Sam.

Detective Murphy: Yeah, yeah. I don't suppose you remember what time he came in, do you?

Claude Myrick: No, not really. After the dinner rush, I'd say, but I don't remember any more specifically than that.

Detective Murphy: Do you know what time he left?

Claude Myrick: Let me think... not too long before closing I think. Maybe around 12:30 a.m.? That's just a guess.

Detective Anderson: What can you tell us about Charlie that night? What kind of mood was he in? Did he come in alone? Did he meet anyone or talk to anyone while he was there?

Claude Myrick: Whoa, whoa, whoa. One question at a time. He was in a pretty good mood, as I recall. Laughing and joking with folks. Having a pretty good time.

Detective Anderson: Did he come in alone?

Claude Myrick: Yep, he sure did.

Detective Murphy: Was that unusual? For him to come in alone?

Claude Myrick: Nope, he usually came by himself. There were always plenty of people around that he knew, lots of cops and people like that.

Detective Murphy: He didn't come in with his girlfriend?

Claude Myrick: You mean that gal from the bank? She came in with him a few times, but she didn't seem to really take to the place. He usually came in without her.

Detective Murphy: Did he ever talk to you about his girlfriend?

Claude Myrick: No, not really. I think he would've liked it if she had come in with him more, but what are you going to do? Once your woman decides she doesn't like something, there's not much you can do to change her mind.

Detective Anderson: Did Charlie ever meet anyone there? Like an appointment or a date?

Claude Myrick: Sometimes. Sometimes he'd meet Jason or Sarge for a beer or something like that. Is that what you mean?

Detective Anderson: Right. Did he ever meet any women there?

Claude Myrick: Not that I can think of. Not in a way that seemed like something that was prearranged. He talked to the female customers a fair amount, just casual conversation, but I don't remember him ever having a date or a meeting where he met the woman at the bar instead of coming in with her.

Detective Anderson: Did Charlie have any casual conversations with any women that last time he was in?

Claude Myrick: I'm sure he did. He was always popular with the ladies, knew how to talk to them. Not like some cops that come in there.

Detective Anderson: Do you know who he talked to that night?

Claude Myrick: I don't. I'm usually pretty busy on Wednesdays. I didn't have time to notice.

Detective Anderson: You didn't notice if he was paying attention to any woman in particular that night?

Claude Myrick: Well... seems like there might have been one. I think it was that night, but I can't say for sure.

Detective Anderson: You know who it was?

Claude Myrick: No, I didn't know her. Seems like she was young. And pretty. Don't remember seeing her before. You know what, though? We got some regulars who come in every Wednesday, rain or shine. Maybe one of them might know who that girl was. Why don't y'all come in Wednesday night and I'll point 'em out to you?

Detective Murphy: That's a date, Claude. Did you notice whether Charlie left with that woman that night?

Claude Myrick: Not that I know of. Charlie didn't usually do things like that. But any man would be tempted if a sweet, young thing was coming on to him. We're only human after all, you know. So I wouldn't say it's impossible that he left with her, but it wasn't like him to pick up a woman in a bar for a one-night stand.

Detective Anderson: Is there anything else you can remember about Charlie that night? Anything that was out of the ordinary in his behavior? What he was wearing? What he had to eat and drink? Who he talked to or didn't talk to? Anything like that?

Claude Myrick: Nothing comes to mind. He was just the same ol' Charlie as always. But let me think on it. If I remember anything, I'll give you a ring.

Detective Anderson: Okay, we appreciate that Claude. Thanks again for coming in and we'll see you on Wednesday.

Interview ends 3:53 p.m