Thursday December 6, 2007, 1:32 PM

Detective Armstrong and Detective Murphy of the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's Department interviewed the witness, who is the victim’s ex-girlfriend. 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
Barbara Jean Daniels

Detective Murphy: Thank you for coming in Ms. Daniels. I am Detective Murphy and this is my partner Detective Armstrong. Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Barbara Daniels: You’re welcome. My name is Barbara Jean Daniels and I live at 805 College Hill Road, Apt # 13 here in Oxford.

Detective Murphy: We are investigating the murder of Victor Jennings and wanted to ask you a few questions.

Barbara Daniels: Okay, but I knew Victor a long time ago. I don't know that I'll be of any help.

Detective Armstrong: When exactly did you "know" our victim?

Barbara Daniels: When I was a college student Mr. Armstrong.

Detective Armstrong: Do I need to go on a fishing expedition to get answers here or can you just give me a more elaborate answer?

Barbara Daniels: I dated Victor when I was a student at Ole Miss. Does that suffice, sir?

Detective Murphy: Barbara, were you and Victor in a serious relationship?

Barbara Daniels: I certainly thought so! Victor didn’t share that feeling though. I came to Oxford in March of '85 and fell for Victor right away. We started dating in May. I really thought he was the one. I loved him with all my heart.

Detective Murphy: What happened? When did the relationship end?

Barbara Daniels: Well, I started hearing rumors that Vic was a playboy and had a different girl in every town and several it seemed, here in Oxford. Other rumors were circulating around the campus that he had even tried to force himself on a few girls.

Detective Murphy: How terrible for you. You must have been devastated.

Barbara Daniels: I was. At first I didn’t believe it but then I asked him if I was the only one. He nearly choked on his Seven  7.

Detective Armstrong: So you broke up. Did you see him again after that night?

Barbara Daniels: No. I ran out. He didn’t follow. I packed up my belongings and returned home to Robinson. I moved back in with my folks. I didn't call him and he didn't call me.

Detective Armstrong: You expect us to believe that you never thought of him again and yet, here you are back in Oxford?

Barbara Daniels: Oh I can assure you I thought about him, almost every day. I have looked into his eyes daily for the past twenty years.

Detective Armstrong: Just couldn’t throw that picture of him away I guess?

Barbara Daniels: I discovered I was pregnant shortly after I returned home. My daughter has his eyes.

Detective Armstrong: Well, I'll be. Not one single family member bothered to tell us that Old Vic had a kid.

Barbara Daniels: They didn't know. Victor didn't know until recently. I kept our daughter a secret.

Detective Murphy: You never received a penny of child support?

Barbara Daniels: I raised Troy by myself. She is a wonderful person, nothing at all like her father, thank God.

Detective Armstrong: Why are you back in Oxford, Barbara?

Barbara Daniels: Because despite all of my protesting, Troy wanted to attend Ole Miss. She said it was for me, that by her graduating it might make up for my dropping out. She is such a sweet girl.

Detective Armstrong: I am assuming that Victor just accepted her with open arms?

Barbara Daniels: No he did not! He called me a liar and a slut.

Detective Murphy: When? You went to his house?

Barbara Daniels: I believe it was early October. I went there to see if he would give Troy the money she needed to tour Europe. She's a dancer and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Detective Armstrong: Did he give her the money?

Barbara Daniels: No.

Detective Armstrong: I bet that ticked you off. Made you real angry?

Barbara Daniels: Yes it did. I could have taken him to court, and made him pay for all those years she was growing up and he wouldn't give her three thousand dollars, ridiculous.

Detective Murphy: What did you do then?

Barbara Daniels: I left.

Detective Murphy: Was that the last time you talked to him?

Barbara Daniels: No, I called a few times. I hoped he would change his mind.

Detective Armstrong: Did you kill Victor Jennings?

Barbara Daniels: What? Oh my god no.

Detective Armstrong: Do you know who did?

Barbara Daniels: No. I am not answering any more questions. I have tried to be as upfront and honest as possible. I cannot believe you asked me that.

Detective Murphy: Barbara, is Troy still in town? We may need to ask her a few questions.

Barbara Daniels: She is. And she didn't kill him either.

Detective Armstrong: How do you know that?

Barbara Daniels: I am leaving now. Goodbye.

Detective Armstrong: Don't be surprised if you hear from us again.

Interview ends: 2:12 PM