![Michael Rainey Young man with dark blond hair](/images/cache/38313083ba4949c50a4deb2bb595d7e3_w180_h180 crop.jpg)
Michael Rainey interview
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 – 4:14 p.m.
Christopher Wooten identified Michael Rainey as a customer at Huddle House on Saturday evening, June 8, 2019.
Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed Mr. Rainey at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.
Participants:
- Detective T. Armstrong
- Detective S. Murphy
- Michael Rainey
Detective Armstrong: Thank you for coming in, Mr. Rainey.
Michael Rainey: That's okay. You said it was about that girl's murder? I didn't even know her. Why am I here?
Detective Murphy: Before we get started, will you state your name and address for the record, please?
Michael Rainey: Sure. Michael Rainey. I live on campus in Kincannon Hall.
Detective Murphy: Thank you, Michael. May I call you Michael?
Michael Rainey: Yeah, sure. That's cool.
Detective Murphy: Michael, we need your help. Do you know Christopher Wooten?
Michael Rainey: Who?
Detective Armstrong: Chris Wooten. A guy you supposedly go to school with.
Michael Rainey: Oh yeah, the name sounds familiar. The classes are pretty big, so I don't really know everybody.
Detective Murphy: Do you remember where you were on Saturday, the day before Jasmine Ledbetter's body was found?
Michael Rainey: Hey, wait a minute. I didn't have nothing to do with that. I didn't even know her. I was nowhere near her—ever!
Detective Armstrong: Calm down, Michael. We just want to know if you remember seeing Christopher Wooten any time or any place that day?
Michael Rainey: That was a while ago. I'm lucky to remember what I did yesterday.
Detective Murphy: Well, try. Think back to what you did on Saturday. Maybe went someplace to eat or did something special that day.
Michael Rainey: Let's see. Oh, I remember I called home that afternoon and asked for some extra money until I go home for summer break. That's always fun. And a bunch of my buddies in the dorm decided to go to Huddle House for something to eat.
Detective Murphy: Do you remember what time you went to Huddle House?
Michael Rainey: It was in the evening. Let's see. Around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Oh yeah, I did see that guy you were talking about, Christopher whatever. I just kind of waved and said, "Hey." He was clear across the room, so we didn't talk. But yeah, I saw him there then.
Detective Armstrong: How did he seem to you?
Michael Rainey: I don't know. Normal?
Detective Armstrong: Was anyone with him?
Michael Rainey: No.
Detective Armstrong: Who left first: you or him?
Michael Rainey: I don't know. I think he was still there when we left, but I'm not sure.
Detective Armstrong: What time did you leave?
Michael Rainey: I don't remember. I know we were back at the dorm in time for Duke-Vanderbilt though.
Detective Armstrong: What now?
Michael Rainey: NCAA Regionals? Baseball?
Detective Armstrong: Okay. What time did that come on?
Michael Rainey: 8:00 p.m.
Detective Murphy: All right, Michael. Thanks very much. We appreciate your help.
Michael Rainey: Sure. No problem. I can go now?
Detective Murphy: Yes, you can go.
Interview ended – 4:26 p.m.