Justin Landry interview

Monday, October 12, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.

Justin Landry was Courtney Morris's boyfriend.

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

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Justin Landry

Detective Parker: Good morning, Mr. Landry. Please state your name and address for the record.

Justin Landry: My name is Justin Landry, and I live at 234 Eagle Springs Road. What have you found out about Courtney's death? I can't believe she's gone. Who would do such a thing?

Detective Murphy: We're sorry about your loss, Mr. Landry, and I assure you we'll do our best to find the person responsible for this crime. Do you need a moment to compose yourself?

Justin Landry: No, I'm okay. Go ahead.

Detective Parker: I understand you're here on a football scholarship at the university. You have to be strong and stay in shape for that, don't you?

Justin Landry: Football is a tough sport. I work out with weights every day, and we practice a lot.

Detective Murphy: How long have you known Courtney?

Justin Landry: I met Courtney in a math class, and we hit it off right away. I asked her out, and we've been dating ever since.

Detective Parker: When was the last time you saw her?

Justin Landry: I saw her around 11:00 a.m. yesterday at her apartment.

Detective Parker: How long were you there?

Justin Landry: I stayed for about an hour and left. I had to get to a team meeting.

Detective Parker: Where were you Saturday night?

Justin Landry: I was going to go to a movie with Courtney, but when I called, she said she wasn't feeling well. She said she was going to stay in and go to bed early. So I went to the movie alone.

Detective Parker: What movie did you see?

Justin Landry: Total Recall. The Malco was having a 30th-anniversary showing. Courtney wasn't that interested in seeing it, so when she decided to stay home, I went to that instead of Inception because she wanted to see that one.

Detective Parker: They're showing Inception?

Justin Landry: Yeah. I think that one is a 10th-anniversary thing.

Detective Parker: Okay. What time did you go?

Justin Landry: It started around 7:30, so I probably got there around 7:15.

Detective Parker: What time did you leave?

Justin Landry: I don't know. 9:30, I guess?

Detective Parker: Where did you go then?

Justin Landry: Home.

Detective Parker: Did you stop anywhere on the way?

Justin Landry: No. I was going to stop by Courtney's, bring her some soup or something, but when I called, she didn't answer. I figured she'd already gone to bed, so I went home.

Detective Parker: And then what?

Justin Landry: Then... nothing. I watched TV for a while and went to bed.

Detective Parker: You didn't go out again?

Justin Landry: No.

Detective Parker: You didn't go over to Courtney's after midnight?

Justin Landry: I have no idea what you’re talking about. If Craig Albright told you that, he's lying. He's always hanging around, asking Courtney to be his friend. He gave her the creeps.

Detective Murphy: Craig Albright?

Justin Landry: He's the manager at Courtney's apartments.

Detective Parker: How well do you know him?

Justin Landry: I know who he is. I know he's weird. That's about it.

Detective Murphy: Do you know Mee-Yon Kim?

Justin Landry: Yeah.

Detective Murphy: How do you know her?

Justin Landry: She's Courtney's best friend.

Detective Parker: It sounds like you don't like her much.

Justin Landry: She's fine. She's just always around.

Detective Parker: You didn't want her around?

Justin Landry: It was fine sometimes, but sometimes Courtney and I wanted to be alone, you know? The girl can't take a hint.

Detective Murphy: Courtney never asked her to leave so the two of you could spend time together?

Justin Landry: No.

Detective Murphy: So maybe it was Courtney who didn't want you two to be alone.

Justin Landry: No. She just didn't want to hurt Mee-Yon's feelings.

Detective Parker: How did Courtney and Mee-Yon get along?

Justin Landry: Fine.

Detective Parker: No arguments or anything?

Justin Landry: I don't know. Probably. Girls always have their dramas or whatever. No offense.

Detective Murphy: Did you send Courtney roses the day she died?

Justin Landry: Roses? No, I didn't send her any roses. If someone sent her roses, it wasn't me.

Detective Parker: Did you see any roses when you were at her apartment yesterday?

Justin Landry: No.

Detective Parker: Are you sure?

Justin Landry: Yeah.

Detective Murphy: Did you ever give her any jewelry with an inscription on it?

Justin Landry: I gave her a diamond tennis bracelet for her last birthday. What does any of this have to do with her death?

Detective Parker: Do you or Courtney know someone named Douglas?

Justin Landry: Douglas who?

Detective Parker: You tell us. Do you know a Douglas?

Justin Landry: Well, yeah. There's a guy on the team named Doug, and one whose last name is Douglas. And there are a couple of guys I've met in classes who were named Doug, I think. Why?

Detective Parker: What about someone older?

Justin Landry: I don't know. Probably. I meet a lot of people. Why does this matter? Who is Doug?

Detective Murphy: Did you know that Courtney was pregnant?

Justin Landry: That is a lie! If she was pregnant, she would've told me. We loved each other. We were going to get married someday. Whoever is spreading these lies will have to answer to me!

Detective Murphy: Sit down, Mr. Landry. We're not finished here.

Justin Landry: People shouldn't be saying things like that about Courtney. It's not right.

Detective Murphy: I understand. It's difficult. And I know you don't want to believe it's true, but let's pretend for a moment that it is.

Justin Landry: It isn't!

Detective Murphy: Okay, but let's say it is. Do you think there's any chance that you might not be the father?

Justin Landry: What are you saying? Why are you doing this? Are you trying to tell me that not only was Courtney pregnant and never told me, but she was cheating on me too? What's wrong with you? Why would you say something like that?

Detective Murphy: I know it's upsetting, but—

Justin Landry: Upsetting? Hell, yes, it's upsetting. Why would you say those things about her? I can't talk to you anymore. The girl I loved and wanted to marry just died. Can't you understand that? I have to get out of here.

Detective Murphy: You can leave if you feel like you really have to, but we're going to need to talk to you again. You understand?

Justin Landry: No, I don't understand anything anymore. Can I go now?

Detective Parker: Yes. We'll be in touch.

Justin Landry: Yeah, great.

Interview ended – 10:24 a.m.