Candy Roberts interview

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 – 11:00 a.m.

Candy Roberts is married to Melvin Roberts, who confessed to the murder of Monica Drum. Mrs. Roberts came to the department the morning after her husband turned himself in.

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

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Candy Roberts

Detective Murphy: I know this has been something of a shock for you, Mrs. Roberts, so we'll try to keep this short.

Candy Roberts: I don't understand what's happening. I kept my grandson out of day camp today because I don't want him to hear about any of this until I know what's going on.

Detective Parker: Your husband has confessed to killing Monica Drum.

Candy Roberts: That's what his lawyer told me, but I don't understand. Why would he do that?

Detective Parker: We were hoping you could tell us.

Candy Roberts: I don't have any idea why he'd confess.

Detective Murphy: Do you think he killed Ms. Drum?

Candy Roberts: I don't know. Why would he say he did if he didn't?

Detective Murphy: I couldn't say. Would you give us your name and address for the record, please?

Candy Roberts: I'm Candy Roberts. 2131 Anchorage Road.

Detective Parker: Where was your husband last weekend?

Candy Roberts: He said he was going on a fishing trip. He was planning to go out with the guys early Sunday morning, so usually what he does is he just sleeps downstairs so he won't wake me. I guess he usually leaves around 2:00 a.m., but I don't know because I don't ever wake up.

Detective Parker: Was he with you on Saturday during the day?

Candy Roberts: Yup, and all evening. We watched that movie, Ice Age. My grandson just loves it, so we have it on DVD. Aidan went to bed around 9:00 p.m., and I guess I went up around 10:30 p.m.

Detective Parker: What did you do during the day?

Candy Roberts: We were at the shop, just watching the shop. We left at 6:00 p.m. That's when Stu comes in.

Detective Murphy: And during this time, did your husband mention Ms. Drum at all?

Candy Roberts: Never.

Detective Murphy: Has he ever mentioned wanting to kill her?

Candy Roberts: He used to, but I don't let him now. I think the past's the past, and we've all got to get over it and get on. While we were at the shop, he was saying what a dang shame it was to sell the store. I know he blames that on her, but like I said, I don't want to hear about it anymore. I guess for the past year or so, he hasn't talked to me about it because I wouldn't let him.

Detective Murphy: What about before then? What kind of things would he say?

Candy Roberts: He'd talk about wanting to sue the paper and sue her intellectual Yankee you-know-what. That's how he put it. He talked about wanting to give her a piece of his mind, yes, and wanting to show her she didn't have anything on him. He talked about scaring her. He used to call her up and tell her off sometimes. He said she wasn't doing anyone any good.

Detective Murphy: And you stopped him from talking about it?

Candy Roberts: Yes. I didn't think he was wrong in what he was saying, but I just didn't think it was good to be going on about something in the past like that. I told him he should concentrate on the store, and maybe if he put all that energy into the store, things would turn around.

Detective Parker: Has Mr. Roberts ever been violent with you in any way?

Candy Roberts: No. Sometimes he shouts at me, but no hitting, not since he stopped drinking about three years ago.

Detective Parker: He used to hit you?

Candy Roberts: Yeah. Nothing bad, only once in a while. He would be drunk, and I'd be getting on his nerves, and he'd tell me to shut up and smack me. It wasn't bad. I was never scared or anything. And he never did it in front of Aidan.

Detective Parker: What about Aidan? Or your son Paul? Did he ever hit either of them?

Candy Roberts: Oh, no. He never touched either one of them. I mean, as far as hitting goes. He's been a real good dad and grandpa. Aidan is doing real good at school, straight As. He wants to be a doctor.

Detective Murphy: Who usually goes with your husband on these fishing trips?

Candy Roberts: Usually, it's him and Kenzie Walker, Billy Tidwell, and a couple of other guys, sometimes Jamie Miller or Guy Frankton.

Detective Murphy: And have you seen any of these men since the weekend?

Candy Roberts: No. They're pretty much Mel's friends. I don't really spend much time with them, although Emma Tidwell and I like to go to bingo together, so sometimes we all four go. But we haven't been this week.

Detective Parker: When did your husband come back on Sunday?

Candy Roberts: Pretty much the usual time after a day of fishing, around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.

Detective Parker: Did he say anything special?

Candy Roberts: No, he said Billy got a big ol' bass, and that was it. He didn't seem to want to talk much. He just had dinner and went straight to bed. He's always tired after being up since 2:00, 3:00 a.m.

Detective Parker: And since then, has he said or done anything out of the ordinary?

Candy Roberts: No. Well, I mean, when he heard about her being killed, he was sure real happy. He said she finally got what she deserved. He talked about it with customers and everything, saying that old crow finally got what was coming to her. Other than that, everything was just as usual. I guess maybe he was more quiet than usual.

Detective Parker: He didn't mention leaving town?

Candy Roberts: No. One thing, I guess, was last night when he said goodnight to Aidan. He was going upstairs to go to bed, and Mel was sitting watching TV. Usually, he just says "goodnight," but last night, he went straight over to Aidan and gave him a big hug. Aidan didn't like it too much. You know, he's that age, but he hugged him back and then went on upstairs. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now, well, I kind of see the significance.

Detective Murphy: This was last night?

Candy Roberts: I'm sorry. No, it was the night before. I'm just so upset about this whole thing.

Detective: Mrs. Roberts, do you think your husband killed Monica Drum?

Candy Roberts: I'd like to be able to say no, but you know what? I wouldn't put it past him. It's the kind of man he is. He believes in getting his own justice. I just wish I'd found out sooner. I could have tried to make him get away, but I know he wouldn't have. He believes in standing his ground, so I guess I'd have to say I'm not surprised at all.

Detective Murphy: All right, Mrs. Roberts. I think that's enough for now. Thank you for coming in.

Candy Roberts: You're welcome.

Interview ended – 11:27 a.m.