Suspect #1 interrogation

Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 2:04 p.m.

The detectives brought Karen West in again to see if she could explain the evidence that implicates her in Kelly Moran's murder.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Karen West

Detective Murphy: Mrs. West. Have a seat over there, and state your name and address for the record.

Karen West: My name is Karen West. My address is 428 Turnberry Court.

Detective Armstrong: Okay, Karen. No more playing around. Now's the time.

Karen West: Time for what?

Detective Armstrong: Tell us what happened.

Karen West: To Kelly? A burglar broke in and killed her.

Detective Armstrong: No. Try again.

Karen West: I don't know. Someone killed her on purpose?

Detective Armstrong: Someone?

Karen West: Isn't that what you said?

Detective Armstrong: We have evidence that says you were that person.

Karen West: No, you don't. You can't.

Detective Murphy: Tell us about this cell phone.

Karen West: It looks cheap?

Detective Murphy: How much did you pay for it?

Karen West: How much did I pay for it?

Detective Murphy: Yes.

Karen West: I've never seen that phone before.

Detective Murphy: Then why are your fingerprints on it?

Karen West: I don't know!

Detective Armstrong: We can come back to that. Have you seen a doctor about that low blood sugar problem you told us about?

Karen West: Yes. It's all taken care of.

Detective Armstrong: What's the treatment regimen?

Karen West: Mostly diet, watching what I eat and when.

Detective Armstrong: Really? I thought maybe your condition was being treated with Percocet like the tablets we found at your house.

Karen West: Oh. Well…

Detective Armstrong: I'm not a doctor, but Percocet is an unusual treatment for low blood sugar, isn't it?

Karen West: Like you said, you're not a doctor.

Detective Armstrong: The funny thing is we didn't find the prescription bottle at your house. What was the name of the prescribing doctor?

Karen West: I … don't remember. I'm terrible with names. I'm sorry.

Detective Armstrong: Sure. A lot of people are like that. Fortunately, Oxford is a small town. We'll just call around to the doctors here and find out which one gave you the prescription.

Karen West: He's not from here. I saw him in Memphis.

Detective Armstrong: Uh-huh.

Detective Murphy: But you said "he" so the prescribing physician was a man, right?

Karen West: I … yeah, I guess so.

Detective Murphy: You're not sure?

Karen West: No. I mean, yes. I'm sure.

Detective Murphy: Good. That'll help us narrow the search.

Karen West: Yes. Good.

Detective Armstrong: Last time you were here, we talked about an older silver car. You remember?

Karen West: What? Yes.

Detective Armstrong: Have you seen that car since then?

Karen West: Have I seen it? How would I know? There are a lot of older silver cars in the world.

Detective Armstrong: Maybe you saw it when you met up with Kenny?

Karen West: No, I— Kenny? I already told you I don't know that person.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, you did. But just between us, Karen, we don't believe you.

Karen West: But… why not?

Detective Armstrong: I think you know why.

Karen West: No, I don't!

Detective Murphy: You're a smart woman, Mrs. West. Why don't we give you a few minutes alone to think about that, and maybe you can answer your own question.

Karen West: Alone? No, I—

Detective Armstrong: Sit tight. We'll be back.

[KAREN WEST INTERVIEW SUSPENDED – 2:21 p.m.]