Thursday, December 13, 1:33 PM
The interview was conducted at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office by Detective Murphy and Armstrong. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness' knowledge and consent.
Detective Samantha Murphy
Detective Ted Armstrong
Samantha Hawke
Detective Murphy: Good morning Mrs. Hawke, it's a pleasure to meet you. Would you please take a seat and state your name and address for the record.
Samantha Hawke: Thank you Detective. Would you please call me Samantha? All my fans do. I live at 27944 Pacific Coast Highway, in Malibu California with my husband Michael. Is this concerning Victor Jennings?
Detective Murphy: Yes, we need to ask you a few questions about Victor.
Samantha Hawke: He was a horrible person. My husband Michael and I hired him to help with a book we planned to write. Victor used the confidential information we gave him to try and extort money from us. We helped the FBI to set up a sting operation to catch Victor. He was arrested and put on house arrest until the trial. I guess there isn't any reason for a trial now that he's dead.
Detective Murphy: Samantha, when did you and your husband arrive back in Oxford and why did you stay after you learned there would be no trial?
Samantha Hawke: We left France after Michael finished his latest movie. We came back to Oxford on the 24th of October to prepare for our testimony for the trial. Michael liked Oxford and thought it would be a good location for his next movie. He is starring in and producing the movie. I think it's going to be a great film.
Detective Murphy: Where were you the day Victor Jennings died?
Samantha Hawke: When Michael and I arrived in Oxford we went to the place where we would stay. It's called The Colonel's Quarters. As you know Detective, my husband and I are famous. So when the Mayor discovered we would be staying in Oxford he made arrangements to show us around the city. Later we went to dinner and arrived back at our room around 10 PM. I was exhausted so I went to bed early. Michael stayed up to watch an old movie on tv.
Detective Armstrong: Samantha, did Michael phone Victor on the Sunday of his death? Maybe threaten him?
Samantha Hawke: No, of course not, we were preparing our testimony for the trial. We were advised not to talk to him.
Detective Armstrong: Mrs. Hawke, both you and your husband hated Victor Jennings. Were you angry enough to kill him?
Samantha Hawke: We certainly didn't like him but neither of us hated him enough to kill him. We wanted the Feds to handle it. That's why we helped with the sting they set up. He deserved to go to prison for what he'd done.
Detective Armstrong: Mrs. Hawke, weren't you angry with Victor Jennings because the secret information he had obtained on you and your husband was enough to ruin your careers?
Samantha Hawke: I have no idea what you're talking about. Michael and I have nothing to hide. There was some information about others we didn't want broadcast but nothing that would hurt us.
Detective Armstrong: Mrs. Hawke, we have information from someone that knew Victor very well. This person said Victor told him that you and your husband were hiding the fact that Michael is gay and you only married him to cover this up. Wouldn't this be a good motive for murder?
Samantha Hawke: I don't know who this sorry (uses cuss words) is but it's all lies. Michael and I have been married for a long time and we love each other more each day. He's the love of my life. All I can say Detective is nothing could be further from the truth. I don't know why anyone would tell such a lie. Michael and I have always tried to do the right thing. We love our fans and want their respect. How could anyone think our marriage was a sham? What kind of life would I have staying with a man that didn't love me? What kind of fool do you think I am? It's ridiculous! Maybe the person that's spreading these lies has their own motive for killing Victor Jennings and they are trying to point the finger at my husband and I.
Detective Murphy: That could be possible. Please notify us if you and your husband plan to leave town. I hope you enjoy your stay in Oxford. Thank you for speaking with us. You can leave now. You may want to go out the back. Looks like there's a crowd waiting out front.
The interview ended at: 2:10 PM |
