Jeff Harte alibi check
YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy, Det. E. Parker
Incident No.: 004048-28H-2021
Case Description: Annette Wyatt homicide investigation
Investigators spoke to business owners and employees near the Harte Agency and neighbors of the Hartes' residence to try to corroborate Jeff Harte's alibi for the time Annette Wyatt was killed.
These interviews are representative of all interviews conducted.
Tom Banks
Tom Banks, owner of Sweet Treats, a specialty candy and chocolate shop located next to the Harte Agency in the strip mall.
Participants:
- Detective E. Parker
- Tom Banks
Detective Parker: Where were you on Saturday, August 28?
Tom Banks: I was working at the store, at Sweet Treats.
Detective Parker: During what hours?
Tom Banks: From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I never left.
Detective Parker: And during this time, did you see any activity at the Harte Agency?
Tom Banks: I did. They're open on Saturdays too.
Detective Parker: Did you happen to see Jeff Harte?
Tom Banks: I didn't see him, but I did see his car in the parking lot. I'm not always looking out the window, so it's quite possible I just missed him walking to and from his car.
Detective Parker: I understand. Did you also happen to see Annette Wyatt?
Tom Banks: No, can't say that I did.
Detective Parker: Is there anything else you can remember about that day? Anything at all?
Tom Banks: It was just a normal day. Sorry I can't be of more help to you.
Detective Parker: That's fine, thank you.
The Caldwells
Burt & Jill Caldwell, Hartes' next-door neighbors
Participants:
- Detective S. Murphy
- Burt Caldwell
- Jill Caldwell
Detective Murphy: Where were you on Saturday, August 28?
Jill Caldwell: We were home all day.
Burt Caldwell: Actually, I did go to the hardware store for about an hour.
Jill Caldwell: Oh yes, that's right.
Detective Murphy: Did you see Jeff Harte at all that day?
Burt Caldwell: I saw him pull into his driveway, must have been around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. It was after dinner but still light outside.
Detective Murphy: Did you speak to him?
Burt Caldwell: Yeah. I said, "Hi," or something to that effect, and we chatted about the weather for a moment. That was it. Then he went inside.
Detective Murphy: Did you see him again that evening?
Burt Caldwell: No. I went inside soon after myself. Didn't go back out or look out the window that I can recall.
Jill Caldwell: I didn't see him. I was inside most of the day, except for the morning when I was doing some gardening out back. I didn't see Jeff or Elena, but I saw Elena's car most of the day.
Detective Murphy: Was there anything unusual about Mr. Harte's behavior that you can think of, or anything that stands out at all about that day?
Burt Caldwell: No.
Jill Caldwell: No.
Detective Murphy: Thank you.
Jason McFerrin
Jason McFerrin lives two houses down from the Harte family
Participants:
- Detective E. Parker
- Jason McFerrin
Detective Parker: Where were you on Saturday, August 28?
Jason McFerrin: I was working most of the day.
Detective Parker: What time did you come home?
Jason McFerrin: About 6:00 p.m.
Detective Parker: Did you see Jeff Harte at all that day?
Jason McFerrin: Uh, yeah, I saw him get his newspaper in the morning.
Detective Parker: What time was that?
Jason McFerrin: About 7:00 a.m.
Detective Parker: Did you speak to him?
Jason McFerrin: Nah, I was in my car already, about to pull out of my driveway.
Detective Parker: Did you see him again that day?
Jason McFerrin: No. I saw his wife, though.
Detective Parker: What time was that?
Jason McFerrin: Around the time I was getting home. She was on the front porch, just sitting there. We nodded to each other.
Detective Parker: Was Mr. Harte there at that time?
Jason McFerrin: Not that I saw.
Detective Parker: Did you see his car?
Jason McFerrin: I don't think so.
Detective Parker: Anything else about the Hartes that might have seemed odd or out of place that day?
Jason McFerrin: Nope.
Detective Parker: Thank you for your time.