Shannon Ledbetter interview
Monday, May 13, 2024 – 5:34 p.m.
Shannon Ledbetter is the victim's stepmother.
Detectives Armstrong and Murphy talked with her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.
Participants:
- Detective T Armstrong
- Detective S. Murphy
- Shannon Ledbetter
Detective Murphy: Thank you for coming in today, Mrs. Ledbetter. Would you please state your name and address for the record?
Shannon Ledbetter: Yes, my name is Shannon Ledbetter, and my address is 310 Lewis Lane in Oxford. I live with my husband, Kevin Ledbetter. This has been so hard for him. Do you have any idea who the killer may be?
Detective Armstrong: We're working on that, ma'am.
Shannon Ledbetter: Well, for Kevin's sake, I hope you find the person soon. The poor man is just beside himself with grief.
Detective Murphy: This must be tough on you, too, then. I mean, she was your stepdaughter. You spent time with her, didn't you?
Shannon Ledbetter: Well, of course, I spent time with her. She came over quite often.
Detective Murphy: To see your husband?
Shannon Ledbetter: Yes, to see Kevin and me. We got along very well.
Detective Armstrong: So you and Jasmine never had any problems?
Shannon Ledbetter: Other than just little household rules, nothing.
Detective Murphy: Household rules? Like what?
Shannon Ledbetter: Oh, just the typical things. For instance, putting her drinks on coasters, taking her shoes off to come in the house, or hanging up her towel after a shower. Just little things I like to have done in my home that were new for her.
Detective Armstrong: Other than that, the two of you didn't have any problems?
Shannon Ledbetter: No, none at all.
Detective Armstrong: How about your husband? Were he and Jasmine getting along okay?
Shannon Ledbetter: Of course. Kevin adored that girl.
Detective Armstrong: No disagreements between them?
Shannon Ledbetter: No, not that I know of.
Detective Murphy: How about you and Kevin? Are the two of you getting along?
Shannon Ledbetter: Well, as I said, he's taking this whole murder very hard, and that does strain our relationship some.
Detective Murphy: How about before the murder?
Shannon Ledbetter: Our marriage is perfect. We have no problems. We don't argue, and we have complete faith and trust in each other. We have a very open relationship. We communicate about everything and can tell each other anything.
Detective Armstrong: Where were you on Saturday evening?
Shannon Ledbetter: Me? You can't think I had anything to do with this.
Detective Armstrong: We're asking everyone, ma'am.
Shannon Ledbetter: Well, I was at home.
Detective Armstrong: Alone?
Shannon Ledbetter: Of course not. Kevin was with me.
Detective Murphy: The entire evening?
Shannon Ledbetter: What do you mean, detective? You can't possibly believe Kevin would have anything to do with this, do you?
Detective Murphy: So he wasn't home the whole time?
Shannon Ledbetter: Yes, he was with me the entire evening.
Detective Armstrong: Do you know of anyone who might want to hurt Jasmine?
Shannon Ledbetter: She was a delightful young woman. I don't know that I would let my daughter run around with pink streaks in her hair, but it wasn't my place to say anything.
Detective Armstrong: Did Jasmine ever tell you she was having trouble with anyone?
Shannon Ledbetter: No, she didn't confide in me.
Detective Armstrong: If you had to come up with someone who would be capable of doing this, who would you think of?
Shannon Ledbetter: I can't think of anyone, detective. Possibly someone she knew? I didn't know all of her friends.
Detective Murphy: Well, thank you for coming in today, Mrs. Ledbetter. If we have any further questions. We'll be in touch.
Shannon Ledbetter: You're welcome.
Interview ended – 5:53 p.m.
