Brenda Ledbetter interview #3

Friday, June 17, 2019 – 11:15 a.m.

Brenda Ledbetter is the victim's mother.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy re-interviewed her at her residence.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Brenda Ledbetter

Detective Murphy: For the record, could you state your name and address?

Brenda Ledbetter: Certainly. My name is Brenda Ledbetter, and I live here at 17 Van Buren Avenue.

Detective Murphy: You have a lovely home.

Brenda Ledbetter: Thank you. I do try.

Detective Murphy: Do you recognize the young woman in this photo?

Brenda Ledbetter: No, I don't think so.

Detective Murphy: Her name is Ashley. Did Jasmine ever mention her?

Brenda Ledbetter: No, not that I remember. Why? Is she the one who killed my daughter?

Detective Murphy: She's just someone who's come up in the investigation. Do you remember ever seeing her anywhere?

Brenda Ledbetter: No, I don't think so.

Detective Armstrong: Have you ever been to Christopher Wooten's residence?

Brenda Ledbetter: No, certainly not.

Detective Armstrong: Do you know where he lives?

Brenda Ledbetter: I'm not sure. Somewhere off University, I think.

Detective Armstrong: Since Jasmine didn't have a car, did you ever drop her off there?

Brenda Ledbetter: Why are you asking me this? What difference could it possibly make?

Detective Armstrong: We're just trying to get all the information we can.

Brenda Ledbetter: Why don't you ask Christopher where he's been? He was all wrong for her. Maybe he finally figured that out and killed her.

Detective Armstrong: We'll look into that.

Detective Murphy: You told us before that you went to Kroger last Saturday evening. Is that right?

Brenda Ledbetter: Yes, I did.

Detective Murphy: Do you have one of those shopper's cards they have where you can get all the deals?

Brenda Ledbetter: I do. So what?

Detective Murphy: Those are great, aren't they? You can save so much money. Did you use yours that night?

Brenda Ledbetter: I'm sure I probably did. Sometimes I forget, though.

Detective Murphy: Did Jasmine have a card, too, for when she did the shopping?

Brenda Ledbetter: No, I just gave her mine when she needed it if one of us remembered before she went.

Detective Murphy: Have you used your card lately?

Brenda Ledbetter: I'm sure I must have. What does this have to do with anything?

Detective Armstrong: We'd like permission to search Jasmine's room and the common areas here in your house.

Brenda Ledbetter: Certainly. Although I can't imagine what you hope to find.

Detective Armstrong: Basically, we're looking for anything that might point to her killer.

Brenda Ledbetter: Are you suggesting her killer came into the house that night?

Detective Murphy: Not necessarily. But there might be a letter or a receipt or some other information that might help identify a motive or her killer.

Brenda Ledbetter: Nobody could have any reason to murder my daughter.

Detective Armstrong: But somebody did murder her.

Brenda Ledbetter: I've come to the conclusion that it must have been a case of mistaken identity.

Detective Armstrong: By the person who arranged to pick her up?

Brenda Ledbetter: That's assuming that someone didn't break in and kill her.

Detective Armstrong: A burglar?

Brenda Ledbetter: They would've seen my car leave and assumed the house was empty. He killed her and then took her body away to buy himself time.

Detective Murphy: Was there any sign a burglar had been in the house?

Brenda Ledbetter: Jasmine might— I'm sorry.

Detective Murphy: Have you noticed any strange cars hanging around the neighborhood?

Brenda Ledbetter: No, but I haven't been looking.

Detective Murphy: Do we have your permission to search the garage as well as Jasmine's room and the common areas?

Brenda Ledbetter: Of course. I just want you to find her killer.

Detective Murphy: Thank you. If you'll just sign this form, we'll get started.

Interview ended – 11:27 a.m.