Margaret Jennings interview

Monday, March 11, 2019 – 11:03 a.m.

Margaret Jennings was the victim's mother.

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

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Margaret Jennings

Detective Murphy: Have a seat there, and give us your name and address for the record before we begin.

Margaret Jennings: You know who I am. I'm Victor's mother. My name is Margaret Jennings, and I live at 102 Gipson Drive. I don't understand why you want to talk to us at a time like this. You made my husband come in, and he's dying of cancer! What is wrong with you people?

Detective Murphy: We just need to find out more about your son. Was Victor having any problems in his life?

Margaret Jennings: You're kidding, right? Victor was always going through something. He brought trouble on himself and everyone around him.

Detective Murphy: Isn't that a little harsh?

Margaret Jennings: I have no illusions about Victor. I'm his mother, and I do love him, but I didn't like him. Victor wasn't someone you could like. He was mean-spirited and cold in his heart.

Detective Parker: What do you mean?

Margaret Jennings: Oh, come on. I know you're aware of the criminal charges he was facing, and I bet you've heard how he mistreated his brother. Raymond is a sweet and kind soul, and he tried as hard as he could to be friends with Victor, but Victor was too hard-hearted. He didn't care about Raymond—or the rest of us either. I don't think he cared about anyone.

Detective Parker: Your husband doesn't seem to share your opinion of Victor.

Margaret Jennings: Brad always thought Victor loved him, and they got along fine, but I don't think Victor really cared about his father. I think he just wanted the money.

Detective Murphy: Can you think of anyone specifically who might want to harm your son?

Margaret Jennings: Why don't you talk to that Hollywood couple Victor was charged with extorting? Or the senators that people said Victor tried to blackmail? I never did know who they were. There are plenty of people who are very happy to see Victor dead, I'm sure.

Detective Parker: Are you one of those people, ma'am?

Margaret Jennings: Me? That's insulting, detective. I don’t have to put up with offensive remarks from the likes of you!

Detective Murphy: All right, let's all take a breath. How about getting Mrs. Jennings a cold drink, Detective Parker?

Margaret Jennings: Yes, how about that? Thank you, Detective Murphy.

Detective Murphy: So was Victor mean to you, as you say he was to everyone else?

Margaret Jennings: He was cold and calculating. He fooled his father, but not me. Victor was so hateful he even stole our family heirloom. He didn’t have to do that. We all knew Brad was leaving it to Victor. Poor Brad, he doesn’t even know that Victor had already stolen it. Raymond was mad as a hornet when he discovered it was gone.

Detective Murphy: What was this heirloom?

Margaret Jennings: It was a beautiful music box that has great sentimental value to the family.

Detective Murphy: Do you know why Victor took it?

Margaret Jennings: I suppose it would bring a significant amount of money, but I believe Victor took it just to upset the family and to show us that he could.

Detective Parker: Here's your cold drink, ma'am. What did Raymond do when he found out Victor had the music box?

Margaret Jennings: I already told you. He was upset.

Detective Parker: Did Raymond hate Victor?

Margaret Jennings: What kind of question is that? They were brothers.

Detective Parker: Did he hate Victor enough to kill him?

Margaret Jennings: What? What is wrong with you? Raymond loved Victor, as my husband and I did. I've had enough of these insulting questions. I'm leaving. Goodbye.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for your time today, Mrs. Jennings. We'll be in touch if we need to talk to you again.

Detective Parker: Goodbye, Mrs. Jennings.

Interview ended – 11:26 a.m.