Maureen Kirby interview #2

Thursday, March 8, 2001 – 10:30 a.m.

Maureen Kirby is married to the victim's high school boyfriend, Steve Kirby.

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

The interview was recorded with the witness's knowledge and consent.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Maureen Kirby

Detective Murphy: We appreciate you talking to us again, Mrs. Kirby.

Maureen Kirby: Of course.

Detective Murphy: Your name and address please.

Maureen Kirby: Maureen Kirby. My address is 210 Sisk Avenue.

Detective Murphy: As I'm sure you're aware, our office removed several things from your house and cars when the search warrant was executed.

Maureen Kirby: Obviously, I know that, Detective.

Detective Murphy: So, why don't you tell me what that rope was doing in your car?

Maureen Kirby: What's there to tell? I had it for emergencies. You never know what might come up.

Detective Armstrong: You never know what might come up in regards to strangling a woman? Is that what you mean?

Maureen Kirby: That's quite a reach. I also have a knife in my car. Are you insinuating that I was going to stab someone? I also have a flare in my car. Maybe I wanted to burn someone up with it.

Detective Armstrong: Maybe you just prefer to strangle someone.

Maureen Kirby: And maybe you prefer fantasy, but that rope was just in my car in case I ever needed it.

Detective Murphy: When have you needed it in the past?

Maureen Kirby: Well, I bought a lawn chair at Wal-Mart one time. The trunk wouldn't close completely so I used a small piece of rope to tie it down tight, so it wouldn't fly open as I was driving down Jackson. That's just one example.

Detective Murphy: What about the pants in your car? The ones with reddish colored stains on them. What are those stains?

Maureen Kirby: I think those were from just working around the house.

Detective Murphy: Working on what?

Maureen Kirby: I don't remember exactly.

Detective Armstrong: I bet you don't.

Detective Murphy: So how did you feel when you saw that picture of your husband and Missy Hammond having lunch that day at Buster Roodies?

Maureen Kirby: I was mad. What do you expect?

Detective Armstrong: Mad enough to get in your car, go over to Missy's house, and use that length of rope on her.

Maureen Kirby: If you're trying to intimidate me, Detective Armstrong, you're doing a very poor job at it. This is all preposterous. If you know so much, then just go ahead and arrest me.

Detective Armstrong: Maybe I just like toying with you, lady—

Detective Murphy: Well, let me ask you this, Mrs. Kirby. Do you still think that Missy Hammond was chasing after your husband? I believe that last time we spoke, you seemed to think that she was trapping him or something.

Maureen Kirby: Certainly. My husband wouldn't cheat on me.

Detective Murphy: We've seen the PI's reports. There are pictures of Steve holding hands with her. Your own private investigator observed Steve looking at materials on divorce. And yet you still think he's innocent in all this?

Maureen Kirby: My husband loves me! He's the most important thing in my life. He wouldn't do anything like that. That damn hussy was just trying to drive a wedge in between us.

Detective Armstrong: Wow. That's some case of denial. Look, lady, you hired Pam Thompson, and even she thought he was sneaking around. In case you've forgotten, I'll quote you from her report, "All of these factors, combined with my suspicion that the subject was inspecting a do-it-yourself divorce packet lead me to believe that the subject is currently considering ending his marriage to the client." How do you explain that?

Maureen Kirby: She only knows what she sees. I'm aware that someone who doesn't know my husband might think that, but I know him! And I know he was trapped. That woman was just trying to lead him astray.

Detective Armstrong: And you showed up to protect him, huh?

Maureen Kirby: No!

Detective Armstrong: You came around and took care of that hussy both to protect your husband and your marriage. It was almost self-defense, right?

Maureen Kirby: How many times do I have to tell you? I had nothing to do with it!

Detective Armstrong: You know, we're gonna get those paternity test results any day now. Think you'll change your tune then? When we find out your husband is the father of Missy's child?

Maureen Kirby: No, because that's not what you're going to find out. My husband is not that girl's father. I've told you that before.

Detective Armstrong: You wouldn't like that much, would you? If Steve had a child with another woman?

Maureen Kirby: He doesn't, so I don't see any point in discussing it.

Detective Armstrong: How do you know he doesn't?

Maureen Kirby: I just do, Detective. Call it women's intuition. Call it a wife knowing her husband. Call it anything you like. But my husband is not that child's father. That's all there is to it.

Detective Murphy: Is your husband a violent man, Mrs. Kirby?

Maureen Kirby: Of course not.

Detective Murphy: Do you think he could have killed Missy Hammond?

Maureen Kirby: There's no way.

Detective Murphy: Well, I could make an argument for either one of you. You kill her to get her away from Steve. Or maybe he wanted her back, she turned him down, and he killed her.

Maureen Kirby: He wouldn't do such a thing.

Detective Murphy: You sure about that? I'll be honest. Right now, we've got a better case against you than him. Unless you want to go down for something he did, you better tell us about him.

Maureen Kirby: You're just trying to confuse me. You've got nothing on either one of us.

Detective Armstrong: Then why are you getting all upset?

Maureen Kirby: Because this is just crazy. I'm not putting up with this any more. I want to call my lawyer.

Detective Armstrong: Seems a lot of people are looking for their lawyers these days.

Detective Murphy: That's OK, Mrs. Kirby. I think we're finished here. We'll be talking to you soon.

End interview – 11:03 a.m.