Margaret Bricker interview

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 – 11:00 a.m.

Margaret Bricker is the wife of Kimberly Pace's colleague, Laurence Bricker.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed the witness at her residence at 1424 South Lamar Boulevard.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Margaret Bricker

Detective Murphy: Good morning, ma'am. Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Margaret Bricker: Margaret Bricker. 1424 South Lamar.

Detective Murphy: Thank you for meeting with us, Mrs. Bricker. As we told you on the phone, this is in connection with Kimberly Pace's death.

Margaret Bricker: I know, detective, but I really don't see how I can be of help. I hardly knew her.

Detective Murphy: To be honest, Mrs. Bricker, we understand there were hard feelings between Dr. Pace and your husband. Do you know anything about that?

Margaret Bricker: Hard feelings? I know Laurence disagreed with her teaching methods and thought she was too friendly with her students to be an effective teacher, but I don't think you could classify that as hard feelings.

Detective Murphy: Your husband was seen arguing with her a few weeks before her death. Do you know anything about that?

Margaret Bricker: Well, first of all, my husband doesn't argue; he makes ultimatums. He's very controlled, never raises his voice, but tells you in no uncertain terms what he thinks. I doubt very much they were arguing.

Detective Murphy: Did your husband ever talk to you about Dr. Pace's teaching methods?

Margaret Bricker: No, detective. He didn't talk to me about it per se, but he often muttered to himself about professors who were frivolous and too easy on their students. He's been muttering about Kimberly Pace for years.

Detective Armstrong: Is it possible he finally couldn't take it anymore and did something to stop her?

Margaret Bricker: Oh, detective, that's too funny for words. Laurence resort to violence? You must be joking!

Detective Murphy: Well, ma'am, everybody has a point where they can't take it anymore and lose control.

Margaret Bricker: You obviously don't know my husband. He would never allow himself to lose control.

Detective Murphy: In all the years you've been married, has he ever lost his temper, yelled at you, threatened you, or anything like that?

Margaret Bricker: Good heavens, no! Laurence would never raise his voice or his hand to me—or anyone else, for that matter.

Detective Armstrong: You said he's very controlled. Is he also controlling? I mean, what happens if you don't carry out his wishes?

Margaret Bricker: You don't understand our relationship, detective. I don't carry out his wishes, as you put it. The home is my domain, and he leaves all decisions regarding it to me. Of course, I occasionally ask his preference for a menu, for example, but he is quite content to let me make the decisions regarding our home life. This leaves him free to pursue his true love — his work at the university and research.

Detective Murphy: What is his daily schedule like? Does he have any hobbies or leisure activities?

Margaret Bricker: His whole life is his work. He rises early, does the same calisthenics he's done all his life, eats a light breakfast, and heads for the university. There he either has classes, or he is in the library or his office working on his latest research project. He comes home at night for a lovely dinner I've prepared for him, and then he goes into his study for more work until bedtime. His worst fault is losing all track of time. Sometimes I have to call him at the university to remind him to come home to dinner.

Detective Armstrong: What about on the weekends?

Margaret Bricker: The weekends are very much the same, except he stays at home and goes into his study instead of going to the university. If he needs to, he goes to the library.

Detective Murphy: It doesn't sound as though that leaves much time for you.

Margaret Bricker: Why would he leave time for me?

Detective Murphy: Well, you are married, and married couples have been known to spend time with each other.

Margaret Bricker: There's no call for sarcasm, detective. I know about most marriages, but you don't know about mine. I knew what I was getting into when Laurence proposed, and it has been none other than what I expected. I'm content. I have a lovely home and a husband who provides for me, and I expect nothing more.

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for your time, Mrs. Bricker. Do you have anything else to add that you think would be pertinent to our investigation?

Margaret Bricker: No, detective, nothing I can think of. If I do think of anything, I'll call you.

Interview ended – 11:17 a.m.