Warren Edwards interview

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 – 5:40 p.m.

Warren Edwards lives next door to the Garretts and generally got along with Ambrose Garrett, but the two recently had a dispute in which the police were called. 

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Warren Edwards

Detective Murphy: For the record, would you please state your name and address?

Warren Edwards: My name is Warren Edwards, and I live at 119 Cedar Hill Drive.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for taking time to talk to us today. However, as we told you, you didn't have to come in. We would've been happy talking to you at your home or place of business.

Warren Edwards: I didn't think those settings were appropriate. This is a murder investigation, after all, is it not?

Detective Armstrong: Why don't you leave those determinations up to us?

Warren Edwards: Sure. If you want that responsibility.

Detective Murphy: What do you do for employment, Mr. Edwards?

Warren Edwards: I'm a librarian.

Detective Murphy: Is that interesting?

Warren Edwards: It's exact. Every book has a place. Every book has a number. The job is very satisfying on many levels.

Detective Murphy: That's wonderful.

Detective Armstrong: Did Ambrose Garrett frequent the library?

Warren Edwards: Not that I ever saw.

Detective Armstrong: How did you get along with him?

Warren Edwards: We were neighborly.

Detective Armstrong: According to our records, you called the sheriff's department not too long ago to report him.

Warren Edwards: What he was doing was wrong. I asked him to stop. He didn't.

Detective Armstrong: And what exactly was he doing wrong?

Warren Edwards: You must have that in your records.

Detective Armstrong: We'd like to hear it from you.

Warren Edwards: He was using a gas-powered leaf blower at night. It was very disruptive and inconsiderate. I went over and asked him to stop. He made it clear he had no intention of doing so. I reminded him that he was subject to the same rules and laws the rest of us were. He still refused to stop. I returned home and telephoned the sheriff's department.

Detective Armstrong: You weren't concerned that calling the cops might cause bad blood between you two?

Warren Edwards: That was not my concern at the time. What he was doing was wrong.

Detective Armstrong: Did it cause bad blood?

Warren Edwards: Of course not. Ambrose made an error of judgment. With the assistance of your department, I helped him rethink his decision before there were serious consequences.

Detective Armstrong: Was that how he put it?

Warren Edwards: I don't expect thanks.

Detective Armstrong: What do you expect?

Warren Edwards: Compliance.

Detective Murphy: What would you have done if Mr. Garrett had grabbed you before you had a chance to call the sheriff's department that night? What if he had used force to express his displeasure at your involvement?

Warren Edwards: I would have reasoned with him.

Detective Murphy: And if that failed?

Warren Edwards: I don't know. I've never had to deal with that situation. Besides, Ambrose was never one for physical violence.

Detective Armstrong: How did he treat you at the last meeting of the Homeowners Association?

Warren Edwards: No differently than usual.

Detective Armstrong: And how was that?

Warren Edwards: Ambrose could be difficult. He was one of those people who believed that he was always in the right.

Detective Armstrong: Was he?

Warren Edwards: Sometimes.

Detective Murphy: Can you give us a recent instance of when he wasn't?

Warren Edwards: Take that meeting, for example. Ambrose said he wanted to post some of the residents' personal details on a proposed HOA website without first checking the legality of his plan with an attorney.

Detective Murphy: Did you tell him what you thought?

Warren Edwards: I motioned to speak.

Detective Murphy: What happened?

Warren Edwards: After some discussion, the topic was tabled.

Detective Armstrong: How did that make you feel?

Warren Edwards: The proper procedures were followed.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, but how did you feel about his reaction to your views?

Warren Edwards: As I said, Ambrose always thought himself in the right.

Detective Armstrong: Do you ever just want to shake someone like that?

Warren Edwards: That would not be an appropriate response.

Detective Murphy: Come on now, Mr. Edwards. Don't you ever get hot under the collar?

Warren Edwards: What would be the point?

Detective Murphy: The point is we're human. We can get frustrated when we see injustice. Some people become violent.

Warren Edwards: Others might have that problem, but I don't.

Detective Armstrong: If you had to guess—and we're just talking here—who do you think might have become so frustrated with Ambrose that action would have been taken?

Warren Edwards: That's "whom do you think," not "who do you think." Just a slip of the tongue, I'm sure.

Detective Armstrong: Thanks for the clarification. Could you answer the question?

Warren Edwards: I don't see the purpose of placing myself in a legal gray area when I have no proof of wrongdoing.

Detective Armstrong: I'm not asking you to accuse anybody, just to share your thoughts.

Detective Murphy: We can see that you're a very observant person. You notice little things. You'd be assisting us in our investigation.

Warren Edwards: I'm not convinced it would be proper.

Detective Armstrong: So you refuse to help?

Warren Edwards: That's putting it strongly.

Detective Armstrong: Put it mildly, then.

Warren Edwards: I respectfully decline the chance to offer my views.

Detective Murphy: What time did you leave the meeting?

Warren Edwards: As soon as it ended.

Detective Armstrong: That's funny. I seem to remember someone saying that you usually hung around.

Warren Edwards: That's what happens when people talk out of turn.

Detective Murphy: So you don't usually stay late?

Warren Edwards: Normally, I would. My daughter, Eve, is staying with us right now. To be honest, she's pregnant and having an unpleasant time of it.

Detective Armstrong: What about her husband?

Warren Edwards: She's not married.

Detective Armstrong: The father, then.

Warren Edwards: I'm afraid that's in question. She tells me the boyfriend is not the father.

Detective Murphy: Who's the boyfriend?

Warren Edwards: Eric Holden.

Detective Armstrong: And she won't name the father?

Warren Edwards: I've asked until I'm blue in the face. Anyway, I didn't want to stay out longer than was necessary. Children can be such a trial.

Detective Murphy: You were a child once.

Warren Edwards: No, I don't think I was.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. Well, thanks for your time. We'll be in touch.

Interview ended – 6:04 p.m.