Suspect surveillance
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 – 3:18 p.m.
Jolene Wright agreed to cooperate with the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department in the investigation into the death of Charles Tatum.
Wright contacted suspect Hank Peterson and requested that he visit her at the Yoknapatawpha County Detention Center as soon as possible regarding an urgent matter she could not discuss on the telephone. Peterson agreed and arrived at the jail a few hours later.
Wright entered into a conversation with Peterson in a location wired for audio recording in the Visiting Area at the Yoknapatawpha County Detention Center.
The following is a transcript of relevant portions of that audio recording.
Warning: The following conversation includes strong language as well as references to violence and sexual activity.
Participants:
- Hank Peterson
- Jolene Wright
Hank Peterson: Okay, now what do you want, bitch? What's so important that I gotta drop what I'm doing and come down here in the middle of the day?
Jolene Wright: Hank, please don't talk to me like that.
Hank Peterson: Oh, what? You want me to be all romantic and stuff? Okay, sure, honey. What would you like to talk about, oh love of my life?
Jolene Wright: I'm scared, Hank. Those detectives came here and talked to me again today.
Hank Peterson: What!
Jolene Wright: They're asking more questions about what happened.
Hank Peterson: What do you mean with saying what happened? I don't know what you're talking about.
Jolene Wright: You know what I mean. C'mon, I'm scared. Don't play around.
Hank Peterson: Look, bitch. Nothing happened. Okay? As long as you keep your fool mouth shut, nothing happened. And that's the end of the story as far as I'm concerned.
Jolene Wright: It's not the end for me. Look where I am! They're saying they're going to charge me with the murder of that cop and put me on trial, and I'm gonna get the death penalty. That's why they were talking to me today.
Hank Peterson: You didn't tell them nothing, did you?
Jolene Wright: Of course not.
Hank Peterson: Then we got nothing to worry about. Long as you don't say nothing, ain't nothing going to happen.
Jolene Wright: Yeah, but they say they're going to prosecute me. How many times do I have to tell you that? They say they can send me to the gas chamber.
Hank Peterson: You stupid bitch. They don't even use the chamber anymore, but it don't matter. Ain't no way they can do nothing to you if you keep your trap shut. Just relax. As long as they don't know nothing, nothing can happen.
Jolene Wright: Don't call me stupid! And would you quit acting like nothing can happen because I'm starting to think you don't know as much as you think! This is my life we're talking about here.
Hank Peterson: Yeah, and such a pretty set of legs attached to that life as well.
Jolene Wright: Look, Hank. I ain't taking the fall for you. You wanted me to sleep with that cop—
Hank Peterson: So? I didn't hear you complaining any.
Jolene Wright: But I'm not going down for murder for you. I'll tell them about you. I'll tell them everything!
Hank Peterson: You listen here, you piece of trash! If you ever tell anyone about that, I'll make you sorry.
Jolene Wright: Well, I'm not going to death row for you, asshole!
Hank Peterson: You want me to quit screwing around? You want me to cut to the chase? How's this? I will kill you, Jolene. I told you before, and I promise you again right here and now that I will kill you, and I'll do it slow. I will bail your ass outta here just so I can kill you. You think you got some kind of special protection 'cause we boned a few times? Guess again, skank. You're just a piece of ass. Nothing more.
Jolene Wright: Hank, you can't talk to me like that.
Hank Peterson: Who the hell do you think you're talking to? If I'm willing to walk into a room and cap a damn cop, do you think I'll hesitate to waste some piece of trailer trash? You ain't even gonna be missed. If anyone asks what happened to you, I'll tell them that the last time I saw you, you were bobbing up and down in the cab of an eighteen-wheeler. And they'll believe me!
Jolene Wright: The cops'll protect me!
Hank Peterson: They can't even protect themselves. That damn do-gooder cop never knew what hit him. His eyes were rolled up into his head. He was in ecstasy, thanks to your only job skill. When I put that gun up against his head and pulled the trigger, he had no idea what was coming. If I can kill a cop that easy, what makes you think you'll be any harder? And don't think you'll be safe in jail 'cause I've got connections inside same as out, and I can take you off the count any time I want.
Jolene Wright: Okay, Hank, please, please don't hurt me. I promise I won't tell them anything. I swear!
Hank Peterson: Damn right, you won't. Now don't be calling me to come up here again. You just sit tight and keep your damn mouth shut, and you may come out of this. You cross me, and you'll be sorry.
Interview ended – 3:42 p.m.
Upon exiting the Yoknapatawpha County Detention Center Visiting Area, Hank Peterson was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy.
