David Lane interview #2

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – 4:30 p.m.

David Lane was Katy Brown's supervisor at her job at the local library. After talking to some other witnesses, the detectives decided to have another conversation with him.

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• David Lane

Detective Murphy: Good afternoon, Mr. Lane. Thank you for coming in again.

David Lane: Good afternoon. I hope I can be of more help.

Detective Murphy: We'd like to ask a few more questions. Let's start with your name and address for the record.

David Lane: My name is David Lane, and I live at 223 Parkview Drive, Oxford, Mississippi.

Detective Murphy: Mr. Lane, you called Katy the day before she was killed. Can you tell us what the call was about?

David Lane: I asked her if she wanted some hours because she hadn't been coming in, and I thought she could use them.

Detective Armstrong: And what did she say?

David Lane: That she didn't want them. She said she was busy and had to go help her father at his office.

Detective Murphy: Mr. Lane, we know Katy didn't go to her father's office that day. Do you have any idea why she would tell you that?

David Lane: I really don't think I want to talk about this anymore. I have things to do, and I'm not sure I can help. I don't know much about what Katy did when she wasn't at work.

Detective Armstrong: Okay, Mr. Lane, we know that's a lie.

David Lane: Are you implying that I had something to do with Katy being … oh, I hate this word … murdered?

Detective Armstrong: We aren't implying anything, but we know you had more interest in Katy than you're saying. Would you like to tell us about that?

David Lane: Okay, okay, I liked Katy more than I said I did.

Detective Armstrong: And that means?

David Lane: Katy was beautiful, intelligent, energetic. She was everything a guy could want. I would never hurt Katy. I loved her.

Detective Armstrong: Did Katy know how you felt?

David Lane: I was afraid to tell her because she was so perfect. I didn't think she'd want someone like me. She had a boyfriend anyway.

Detective Murphy: Is that why you followed her and watched her?

David Lane: She didn't take the hours and didn't want to come in. She kept blowing me off, and I wanted to know why. I just wanted to see her. But I would never hurt her.

Detective Murphy: Was Katy trying to avoid you because she knew how you felt about her?

David Lane: I was never good at talking to girls. I get too nervous. I couldn't tell Katy how I felt, but I think she knew.

Detective Murphy: When you found out Katy was avoiding you, did you get angry with her?

David Lane: I was hurt, but I certainly didn't want to hurt her back.

Detective Armstrong: How many times did you hide out in the woods to watch Katy?

David Lane: Hide out in the— I never—

Detective Armstrong: Mr. Lane, before you say anything else, I just want to remind you that you've already lied to us once. You don't want to do that again.

David Lane: Well, I … sometimes I did watch her cheerleading practice, and there were some woods nearby, but I certainly wouldn't call it hiding out in the woods.

Detective Armstrong: Call it whatever you like. How many times did you do it?

David Lane: I'm not sure exactly. A few times.

Detective Armstrong: What do you consider "a few"? Twice? Ten times? Fifty?

David Lane: I told you. I don't know! It wasn't fifty.

Detective Armstrong: But it could've been ten?

David Lane: Maybe.

Detective Armstrong: Was anyone else there watching with you?

David Lane: I saw a homeless man a few times, but I thought he was just trying to get out of the sun.

Detective Armstrong: Did you ever speak to him?

David Lane: Oh, no. I didn't want to bother him.

Detective Murphy: Did Katy ever notice either one of you watching her during practice?

David Lane: Oh, no. I don't think so. She would've mentioned it, I'm sure.

Detective Murphy: Yes, I'm sure she would have.

David Lane: Pardon me?

Detective Murphy: So where were you on Saturday morning, Mr. Lane?

David Lane: You mean when Katy was murdered?

Detective Murphy: Yes. Then. Where were you?

David Lane: I was at the library. People saw me. We have storytime every Saturday morning.

Detective Murphy: You weren't lurking in the woods again? Waiting for Katy?

David Lane: No! I was at the library. I swear!

Detective Armstrong: Okay, Mr. Lane, is there anything else you failed to mention? Anything you want us to know?

David Lane: No, just that Katy was special, and I would never want to harm her. May I leave now?

Detective Armstrong: Mr. Lane, we'll be in touch with you.

David Lane: Please find who did this to her.

Detective Murphy: We're working on it.

Interview ended – 4:51 p.m.