Case file note

YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Taylor Sheldon, Sheriff
Oxford, Mississippi 38655

INVESTIGATION CASE FILE NOTE

Investigators canvassed neighbors, friends, and members of the community in an effort to verify the whereabouts of persons of interest on the day Spenser Brooks was killed, January 23, 2021, with the following results.

Alibi checks

Christy Arnold

Christy's roommate, Keisha Brannigan said that as far as she knew, Christy was asleep in her bedroom the entire morning of January 23, 2021. Keisha said she had heard Christy come in around 3:30 a.m. so she was not surprised that Christy was sleeping in.

Keisha said she left to meet friends for brunch at Big Bad Breakfast around 10:00 a.m. on January 23, 2021, and Christy was still asleep at that time. Keisha said she returned around 1:00 p.m., and Christy's bedroom door was still closed so she assumed Christy was still asleep. She said Christy came out of her room to get something to eat shortly after Keisha returned.

Christy's whereabouts during the portion of the morning when Keisha was at brunch cannot be verified.

Byron Brooks

Hannah Brooks, Byron's wife, said he left their home in Grand Junction, TN around 10:30 a.m. on January 23, 2021, headed to see his brother in Oxford, MS.

Assistant manager Nyla Morris at Handy Andy's verified that Byron bought a jumbo barbecue plate with slaw and tater tots at 12:08 p.m. on January 23, 2021.

Manager Jenna Adamchak at Uptown Coffee confirmed that Byron purchased a medium cappuccino at 2:28 p.m. and used the cafe's wi-fi for about 45 minutes thereafter.

Virginia and Wesley Brooks confirmed that Byron stopped by the Brooks residence at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Attempts to verify Byron's whereabouts for the rest of the morning of January 23, 2021, are ongoing.

Virginia Brooks

Steve Diaz at Yokanaptawpha Dry Cleaning confirmed that Virginia dropped off some clothing on the morning of January 23, 2021, but said that Virginia used the self-serve drop off so he couldn't say what time she stopped by. Mr. Diaz said the overnight dropoffs were processed and the dropoff bin was emptied around 9:00 a.m., and the Brooks bundle of clothing was logged and sorted along with bundles from several other customers around noon on January 23, 2021.

Helen Kaufman, the Trinity Church rummage sale coordinator, confirmed that Virginia arrived at the church just before noon on January 23, 2021, to drop off items for the sale. Mrs. Kaufman said Virginia stayed for about 45 minutes to assist with the intake of items from other donors and left around 1:00 p.m.

Attempts to verify Virginia's whereabouts for the rest of the morning of January 23, 2021, are ongoing.

Gene Collins

Alderman Collins refused to provide an alibi when asked on multiple occasions.

However, employees at Collins Flower House say he was in the store and helping customers from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, on January 23, 2021.

Roy Cook

Time clock records and security video confirm Roy was in the ranger's station at Wall Doxey from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on January 23, 2021.

Kyle Ferguson

Kyle claimed he was sleeping on the morning of January 23, 2021. His whereabouts cannot be verified.

Attempts to verify Kyle's whereabouts for the morning of January 23, 2021, are ongoing.

Jill Ross

Jill said she was home on January 23, 2021.

Her neighbor Mindy Fisher said that Jill is usually home on Saturdays, but she couldn't recall whether Jill was home on that Saturday.

Attempts to verify Kyle's whereabouts for the morning of January 23, 2021, are ongoing.

Louis Watson

The manager at Ole Miss Liquors confirmed Louis was at the store doing inventory on January 23, 2021.

Employees who worked on January 23, 2021, corroborated the story.

Investigative action:

Continue efforts to uncover witnesses or other information that will confirm or refute the above alibis.

Investigation of YCSD Case # 000333-23A-2021 is active and ongoing as of this date.