Brad Jennings interview

Monday, March 11, 2019 – 10:37 a.m.

Brad Jennings was Victor Jennings' father.

Detectives Murphy and Parker interviewed him at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Brad Jennings

Detective Murphy: Good day. Thank you for coming in.

Brad Jennings: You have a lot of nerve asking me to come in like this.

Detective Murphy: We're sorry for your loss, Mr. Jennings, but we do need to ask you some questions. But first, would you state your name and address for our records?

Brad Jennings: You know that already, I'm sure. But to pacify you, I'll answer anyway. My name is Brad Jennings. I live at 102 Gipson Drive. You people are heartless!

Detective Parker: You do want us to find out what happened to Victor, don't you, sir?

Brad Jennings: You know what happened. My son's death was an accident. How can you expect me to answer questions when I can hardly think straight?

Detective Murphy: We know it's difficult, and we do apologize, but we have to talk to anyone who knew your son and might know anything about his last days. That includes you.

Brad Jennings: All right, all right. What do you want to know?

Detective Parker: When did you talk last to your son?

Brad Jennings: Victor called me on Wednesday, and we made plans to meet on Sunday. We had a lot to talk about.

Detective Parker: Where were you going to meet?

Brad Jennings: At his house, of course.

Detective Parker: Raymond told us you wanted Victor and him to meet you at your house.

Brad Jennings: Raymond's an idiot. Don't listen to him. It's a waste of time.

Detective Murphy: What did you want to talk to Victor about?

Brad Jennings: I had made some changes in my will.

Detective Murphy: What were those changes, if you don't mind telling us?

Brad Jennings: It doesn't matter now. I had changed my will to make Victor the sole beneficiary of my entire estate. I took my wife's name out of the will and added the codicil that he would take care of her, but she was to have no authority whatsoever.

Detective Parker: What about your other son?

Brad Jennings: Raymond was never the son that Victor was. Victor had grit and determination. Raymond is a mama's boy. He's been clinging to her skirts since the cradle, and she loves it. Let her take care of him.

Detective Parker: That doesn't explain why you cut your wife out of the will. You've been married a long time, right?

Brad Jennings: Yes, we have, and I'd always trusted her. Past tense. Let her figure it out.

Detective Murphy: Do you know anyone who would want to harm your son?

Brad Jennings: Many people made up lies about Victor because they were jealous of him. He was a successful businessman. That's why I had no qualms about turning control of my business over to Victor upon my death.

Detective Murphy: But was there anyone who might've wanted to hurt him?

Brad Jennings: There were those college girls who made up those false accusations against him to try to get money from him.

Detective Parker: What girls?

Brad Jennings: How should I know? Some gold-diggers looking for a quick buck. Can't blame them for trying, but they picked the wrong man. Victor would never give them a cent.

Detective Parker: Even if their accusations were true?

Brad Jennings: How dare you? My son is dead. How dare you bring up those little whores' lies now?

Detective Murphy: Mr. Jennings, what was Raymond's relationship with Victor? Did they get along?

Brad Jennings: I told you. Raymond is a wimp. Of course, they didn't get along. Raymond wanted to be Victor.

Detective Parker: Ray isn't happy being himself?

Brad Jennings: You've met Ray. Would you be happy being him?

Detective Murphy: What about Victor's personal assistant? Did he ever tell you anything about her?

Brad Jennings: Victor said she did an excellent job. He never confided in me that he had any problems with her.

Detective Murphy: Is there anyone else in Victor's life we should know about?

Brad Jennings: He did have a friend named Carl or something.

Detective Parker: What was their relationship like?

Brad Jennings: Carl took care of all the things that Victor didn't want to bother with personally. Detectives, I'm getting very tired. I'm a dying man. I need to go back to my bed before somebody has to carry me. I'm so tired.

Detective Murphy: We don't want you to overdo it, Mr. Jennings. You can go now, but if it becomes necessary, we may need to contact you again.

Brad Jennings: I may not be here that long. Goodbye.

Interview ended – 11:02 a.m.