Saturday, September 5, 2009 -1:30 PM

The witness, Anna Wood, is a student at Ole Miss. The interview was conducted at the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's Department and recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

Detective Samantha Murphy
Detective Ted Armstrong
Anna Wood

Detective Murphy: Please state your name and address before we begin.

Anna Wood: What?  Oh, I'm sorry. I'm still a little unstrung over that ... that ... stuff. My name is Anna Wood and I live at 900 Whirlpool Drive, at the Sterling University Terrace Apartments. We're in unit 7308. My boyfriend and I live there and we both attend Ole Miss. Hotty Toddy!

Detective Murphy: What is your boyfriend’s name, Miss Wood?

Anna Wood:  His name is Michael. Michael Langley.

Detective Murphy:  What were you doing when you found the bag with the body parts in it?

Anna Wood:  I don't want to think about what was in that bag.

Detective Armstrong: We don't want to either, but we have no choice. Now what were you doing?

Anna Wood: Well, I go to Lamar Park a lot. I like to use the jogging trail at the park. It's beautiful out there, and I think it's the nicest place to get my jogging in.

Detective Armstrong: Were you alone, or was your boyfriend with you?

Anna Wood: Michael went with me to the park, but I jog alone because I don't like jogging with others. It's distracting, and I like being alone. 

Detective Murphy: What was Michael doing when you jogging? Why would he go to the park just to wait for you?

Anna Wood: He's a painter, so every chance he gets, that’s what he does. But he wasn't there when I found that ... stuff. He was on the other side of the pond. He came over when he saw all the commotion.

Detective Armstrong: I see. Did you notice anyone else around the area where you made your discovery?

Anna Wood: Yes, there were more people fishing, as usual, and kids were skipping stones across the water. The men who were fishing kept yelling at the kids, saying they were scaring the fish. I wanted to yell at those guys and ask them if they forgot what it was like to be a kid.

Detective Armstrong: So, was any one of that happy group close to where the body parts were?

Anna Wood: No, they were on the east end of the pond while I had just reached the south side.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. So, people fishing and kids playing. Is that it?

Anna Wood:  I saw a man riding a motorcycle and I was going to turn him in because I don't think that should be allowed.  But he wasn't there long, and I forgot about it when I found the bag.

Detective Armstrong: What kind of motorcycle?

Anna Wood: It was one of those fancy Harley's. You know. The big ones?

Detective Armstrong: What did the man look like?

Anna Wood:  The man was all in leather but I couldn’t see what he looked like because he had on a helmet. But he was all in black, just like the color of the motorcycle.

Detective Armstrong: Did he get off the motorcycle?

Anna Wood: I never saw him get off of it, but when he passed me the second time, I happened to notice the sun shining off of something by the water and I went to see what it was. It was a plastic bag and it had ... stuff in it. Smelled bad, too. Phew! Terrible. I'll never forget the smell. I was sorry I had looked then. It was so gross, I felt like vomiting.  I already told you this when I called. Why are you asking me again? Once was more than enough to have to go over that.

Detective Murphy: We know it's hard, Miss Wood, but it's very important that we get the story right, and sometimes witnesses remember something that they didn't the first time.

Anna Wood: I will never forget what happened that day. That moment will be forever etched in my brain. I wish it wasn’t because that had someone's body parts in it. What happened to that person? I think about it all the time and I don't want to.

Detective Murphy: I understand, Miss Wood. It's too bad, but we have to know every detail and it's very important that you tell us exactly what happened that day.

Anna Wood: I've told you all I know. Please tell me that you're done with me and you won't have to call me back to ask questions again about this. I am trying hard to forget it.

Detective Armstrong: We can't tell you that because circumstances may demand that we speak to you again.

Anna Wood: I've had enough for sure. I'm beginning to feel sick again. Can I go now?

Detective Murphy: Yes, we are finished for now, but just remember what Detective Armstrong said. We may have to discuss this with you again.

Anna Wood: If you absolutely have to, I will have no choice, but for now, I'm going home to lie down. Bye.

Detective Murphy: Bye for now.

Interview ends: 2:08 PM