Jacob Hunter interview

Monday, October 17, 2022 – 4:40 p.m.

Jacob Hunter was identified as the boy seen riding a bicycle in Kimberly Pace's neighborhood on Sunday morning, October 16, 2022.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed him at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department with the permission and in the presence of his mother, attorney Patricia Hunter.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Jacob Hunter
• Patricia Hunter

Detective Armstrong: Hi, Jacob. Thank you and your mother for coming down to talk to us today. To start off, could you tell us your name and address for the record?

Jacob Hunter: My name is Jacob Hunter. I live at 557 Hathorn.

Detective Armstrong: Thanks, Have you heard we're investigating the death of Kimberly Pace at her home at 1592 Jackson Avenue?

Jacob Hunter: Yeah, I know about it. And I'm glad to help if I can.

Detective Armstrong: Anything you don't understand, you ask us or your mother if you want. She's here to act as your attorney as well as your parent. By the way, how old are you?

Jacob Hunter: I turned 12 in August.

Detective Armstrong: Okay, Jacob. Several people saw a boy riding his bicycle around Kimberly Pace's neighborhood on Sunday morning. Was that you?

Jacob Hunter: Yeah, I go with my mom when she has to go into her office sometimes on the weekend.

Detective Murphy: What time did you arrive at your mother's office that day?

Jacob Hunter: I think it was about 10:00 a.m., maybe a few minutes after.

Detective Murphy: Mrs. Hunter, does that sound right to you?

Patricia Hunter: Yes, we got to my office around 10:00 a.m.

Detective Murphy: Okay. Jacob, did you go out riding your bike right away?

Jacob Hunter: Yes, pretty soon after we got there. I helped Mom carry some of her stuff in, but that only took a couple of minutes.

Detective Armstrong: Where did you ride, Jacob? I mean, did you stay in front of her office or just on the block, or did you go somewhere else?

Jacob Hunter: I hung around the block for a while, then I rode over to my friend Miles' house to see if he could ride with me. But Miles wasn't there. I guess they were at church. Then I stopped at Square Books to see if I knew anybody there. But none of my friends showed up, so after a few minutes, I came back over near my mom's office.

Detective Murphy: Did you ride around anywhere on the Pace property, Jacob?

Jacob Hunter: No, ma'am. I try not to ride on anybody's property after that old man yelled at me that time.

Detective Murphy: Who was that, do you know?

Jacob Hunter: Well, it was that neighbor of Dr. Pace's. What an old grouch!

Patricia Hunter: Jacob!

Jacob Hunter: Well, he is, Mom. I rode on the edge of his grass by mistake one time, and I thought he was going to have a stroke! So I try to stay away from him. He was out in his front yard that morning, so I made sure I stayed away from his yard.

Detective Armstrong: Did you see anyone else around that morning?

Jacob Hunter: I saw those people when they got out of their car and went up to the door.

Detective Armstrong: How many people?

Jacob Hunter: Three, two ladies and a man.

Detective Murphy: Did you recognize any of them?

Jacob Hunter: The guy looked familiar. I think he lives in the neighborhood, in those apartments right there. But I don't know the ladies.

Detective Murphy: Do you have any idea what time that was when they got there?

Jacob Hunter: Probably about 11:00 a.m., I guess.

Detective Armstrong: And then what happened?

Jacob Hunter: Then, a little bit later, I saw them come outside and stand around and cry and hug each other and act all weird. I kind of hung around across the street and watched 'cause I figured something was just not right. A few minutes later, all hell broke loose! Sorry, Mom. Cop cars came, and then a bunch of other cars and a van and stuff.

Detective Murphy: Do you know how long it was from the time the three people went up to the door until the time you saw them come outside again?

Jacob Hunter: I don't know. Not very long. Maybe five minutes? I don't know.

Detective Armstrong: How long did you stay and watch?

Jacob Hunter: Just a few minutes, I think. My mom likes to be through around noon. I saw them take poor old Thoreau away. He looked really out of it. I felt sorry for him.

Detective Murphy: Oh, you knew Dr. Pace and her dog then?

Jacob Hunter: I talked to her a couple of times when she was out walking him. She really loved that dog. Talked about him like he was her buddy. I guess he was. She was a real nice lady. I'm sorry about what happened to her.

Detective Murphy: Do you also know her boyfriend, Paul Evans, who used to live at her house?

Jacob Hunter: Yeah, he's a nice guy. He's got this really cool motorcycle, and he let me sit on it one time.

Detective Armstrong: Sounds like you're pretty good friends with him.

Jacob Hunter: I guess. He's also got this shop in the basement with all these tools and things. He even tried to show me how to do a couple of things on his lathe, but I'm not very good at it. He says it takes lots of practice.

Detective Murphy: So you've been inside Dr. Pace's house?

Jacob Hunter: Just a couple of times with Paul.

Detective Murphy: Did she ever invite you in for a snack or a drink of water or anything?

Jacob Hunter: No, I don't think so.

Detective Murphy: Did you see Paul Evans anywhere around Dr. Pace's house on Sunday morning?

Jacob Hunter: No. He hasn't been around the last couple of times I went to work with Mom.

Detective Armstrong: You're a big help, Jacob. We just have a few more questions. Did you see anyone else around Dr. Pace's home that morning? Like someone in her yard or someone out of the ordinary in the neighborhood?

Jacob Hunter: No, sir. Not that I noticed. Sorry.

Detective Murphy: You mentioned a grouchy neighbor. Do you know his name or exactly where he lives?

Jacob Hunter: Sure, I know where he lives 'cause, like I said, he chased me off his lawn one time. I don't know his name, but he lives right next to Dr. Pace.

Detective Murphy: Was he out in his yard when you saw the three people come outside crying?

Jacob Hunter: Yeah, I think so.

Detective Murphy: Do you know whether he saw them come out too?

Jacob Hunter: I guess so. It was pretty obvious.

Detective Murphy: Did he do anything?

Jacob Hunter: Not really. Like what?

Detective Armstrong: Ask them what was wrong or if he could help.

Jacob Hunter: No.

Detective Armstrong: Did you see him do anything at all when they came out of the house and were so upset?

Jacob Hunter: Well… he was working in his yard. Is that what you mean?

Detective Armstrong: If that's what he did, then that's what I mean. There's no right answer here, son. We just want you to tell us what you saw.

Jacob Hunter: Okay.

Detective Murphy: Do you know Linda Alden?

Jacob Hunter: Sure, she lives right next to my Mom's office. She talks to me and asks about school and stuff. She's cool.

Detective Murphy: Did you see her that morning?

Jacob Hunter: I'm not sure. There was so much excitement once the police cars and all got there, and a lot of people were hanging around talking and stuff. I don't remember exactly who was out there.

Detective Murphy: Thank you, Jacob. You've been a big help. I think we're through here. If you think of anything else, will you please call Detective Armstrong or me?

Jacob Hunter: I sure will. I hope you find out who did this. She was a real nice lady.

Interview ended – 5:03 p.m.