Betty Wood

Betty Wood and her husband, James, attend the same church as Rita Pearce.

Participants:

•  Detective E. Parker
•  Betty Wood

Detective Murphy: Have a seat, and please state your name and address.

Betty Wood: My name is Betty Wood, and my address is 600 McElroy Drive, Oxford.

Detective Murphy: Where do you attend church?

Betty Wood: Saint Andrews United Methodist. Did something happen at the church?

Detective Murphy: Oh, sorry. No, the church is fine.

Betty Wood: Thank God.

Detective Murphy: Did you attend the 9:00 a.m. service on Sunday?

Betty Wood: My husband and I both did. We hardly ever miss.

Detective Murphy: Was Rita Pearce at that 9:00 a.m. service?

Betty Wood: Yes, she sat next to me during the entire service.

Detective Murphy: Did she arrive on time?

Betty Wood: I believe she got there before my husband and me. She was already in her seat when we walked up.

Detective Murphy: How did she seem to you that day?

Betty Wood: She was fine. Upbeat, cheerful like usual.

Detective Murphy: Thank you.

Daniel Hayes

Daniel Hayes lives next door to Rita Pearce.

Participants:

•  Detective E. Parker
•  Daniel Hayes

Detective Parker: Please state your full name and address for the record.

Daniel Hayes: Daniel Ray Hayes, and I live at 617 Tyler Avenue here in Oxford.

Detective Parker: Where do you work?

Daniel Hayes: I am self-employed.

Detective Parker: What type of business?

Daniel Hayes: I'm a clown. I can be hired for parties and also for singing telegrams.

Detective Parker: Interesting. Were you home on Saturday?

Daniel Hayes: Hold on, let me check my book. No, I had two birthday parties that day and three singing telegrams.

Detective Parker: Were these during the day or the evening?

Daniel Hayes: My last telegram was at 5:30 p.m.

Detective Parker: Was it here in Oxford?

Daniel Hayes: Yes, it was.

Detective Parker: Did you go home after you finished?

Daniel Hayes: Yes, I did. The little woman had supper waiting.

Detective Parker: Did you notice if Rita Pearce was home that evening?

Daniel Hayes: I saw her watering her flowers as I drove by.

Detective Parker: Did you happen to notice the time?

Daniel Hayes: Pretty darn close to 6:00 p.m.

Detective Parker: Did you stay in for the rest of the evening?

Daniel Hayes: I mowed the front lawn, and then my sweetie and I watched a movie we rented.

Detective Parker: Did you see or hear Rita come and go at any time that evening?

Daniel Hayes: No. Her car was in the driveway while I mowed.

Detective Parker: Did you see her any more that night?

Daniel Hayes: No, but her car was still there when I put the cat out for the night.

Detective Parker: What time was that?

Daniel Hayes: A little after 11:00 p.m.

Detective Parker: Thanks for your time.

Daniel Hayes: No problem. Here's my card in case you ever need a clown.