Angie Jennings interview

Thursday, October 29, 2020 – 9:30 p.m.

Angie Jennings said she saw the victim fall to the ground in the parking lot of the Faith and Glory Community Church parking lot.

Detective Murphy interviewed her at the scene that same night.

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Angie Jennings

Detective Murphy: Ma'am, before we get started, I need to get some basic information from you. Would you please state your name and address?

Angie Jennings: Of course. My name is Angie Jennings, and I live at 207 South 16th Street. About ten minutes from here.

Detective Murphy: We appreciate your cooperation, Ms. Jennings. Can you tell me what happened tonight?

Angie Jennings: We had finished choir practice earlier, and everyone left, but me and my friend Cheryl had to come back.

Detective Murphy: Why did you return?

Angie Jennings: Cheryl was going to drop me off on her way home, but after a couple minutes, I realized I had forgotten my purse. We had to turn around and drive back.

Detective Murphy: What did you see when you came back?

Angie Jennings: We turned into the church, and we saw someone falling down in the staff parking lot. It was dark so we couldn’t tell who it was or what was happening.

Detective Murphy: Then what did you do?

Angie Jennings: We ran over and saw that it was Frederick crumpled on his side.

Detective Murphy: Frederick?

Angie Jennings: Frederick Miller, the assistant director of the church choir.

Detective Murphy: How long have you known him?

Angie Jennings: I’ve been in the choir for about four years, and he’s been there the whole time.

Detective Murphy: Would you consider Frederick a friend?

Angie Jennings: Sort of. It’s not like we were friends outside of choir, but you do get to know someone after four years.

Detective Murphy: And he was at choir practice earlier tonight?

Angie Jennings: Yes.

Detective Murphy: Did you notice anything out of the ordinary about him tonight?

Angie Jennings: He seemed distant, like something was on his mind. It was like he was going through the motions at rehearsal. He was irritable and testy in a way that I’d never seen before. He certainly wasn’t acting like the Frederick I know.

Detective Murphy: How would you describe the Frederick that you know?

Angie Jennings: He’s a perfectionist. Some would say nitpicky but not me. He wanted our choir to be the best it could be. He was very patient and kind to us in rehearsals. He never raised his voice or reprimanded any of us when we were singing out of key, which—just between you and me—happens quite a bit.

Detective Murphy: When you saw him fall down in the parking lot, did you try to administer any first aid or move him?

Angie Jennings: At first, we didn’t know what to do. I rolled him onto his back, so I could check his vitals, and when I saw that arrow … well, I could tell that he was almost gone.

Detective Murphy: How could you tell?

Angie Jennings: I’m an LPN. I work with cancer patients, not trauma cases, but it was obvious that there was nothing we could do for him. And to think that a child was the murderer? We are living in dark days.

Detective Murphy: You’re saying a kid did this?

Angie Jennings: We saw a teenage boy running away. He looked like an athlete, like a jock. He had on one of those letterman jackets like the football players wear and had a knit hat on his head. May God have mercy on his soul.

Detective Murphy: What color was the jacket he was wearing?

Angie Jennings: The body was black, and the arms were white or cream? You know, like the ones they wear at the county high school.

Detective Murphy: Do you know what color the hat was?

Angie Jennings: I’m not sure. Gray maybe?

Detective Murphy: Did you happen to see what color pants and shirt he had on?

Angie Jennings: I only saw him from behind, so I didn’t see his shirt. I think he was wearing jeans, though.

Detective Murphy: Did you notice his shoes?

Angie Jennings: No, I didn’t. I’m sorry.

Detective Murphy: Don’t worry about it. You’re doing great. Now, you said you saw him running away?

Angie Jennings: Yes.

Detective Murphy: Which direction did he go?

Angie Jennings: It looked like he ran back behind the church, but he was in those trees over there, and once he got past the corner of the building, I couldn’t see him anymore, so I don’t know where he went.

Detective Murphy: Can you tell me any details about what he looked like? Tall or short? Fat or thin? What color hair?

Angie Jennings: He ran off into the darkness so fast. There was no time to get a good look.

Detective Murphy: Did anything else happen that seemed out of place?

Angie Jennings: Not that I can think of, Officer.

Detective Murphy: Okay. If anything else comes to mind, you can give me a call anytime. Here’s my card.

Angie Jennings: I will. Is that all?

Detective Murphy: Just one other thing. For elimination purposes, we’re going to need your fingerprints and a DNA sample. Do you think you’re feeling up for that right now?

Angie Jennings: Absolutely.

Detective Murphy: Thanks. We’ll get that taken care of right away so you can get home.

Angie Jennings: That would be nice.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for all of your help, Ms. Jennings, and we’re so sorry for your loss.

Angie Jennings: You’re welcome, and God bless.

Interview ended – 9:49 p.m.