Ron Baldwin interview

Monday, February 5, 2024 – 9:15 a.m.

Other witnesses who were at Blake Jenson's party identified Ron Baldwin as someone who was there when Blake died, but Baldwin was not at the scene when YCSD officers arrived.

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Ron Baldwin

Detective Armstrong: Good morning. Thank you for coming in. Have a seat.

Ron Baldwin: What do you want from me?

Detective Armstrong: First, state your name and address for our records.

Ron Baldwin: Why? You gonna be watchin' me? I never done nuthin'.

Detective Armstrong: You haven't been accused of anything—yet. Now, tell us your name and address.

Ron Baldwin: This is a lot of crap. You know that stuff already, but I'll play the game. My name is Ron Baldwin, and I live at 1417 North Lamar in this little burg.

Detective Armstrong: What's the name of "this little burg," wise guy?

Ron Baldwin: Last time I looked at the sign, it still said Oxford.

Detective Armstrong: What do you know about the death of Blake Jenson?

Ron Baldwin: I don't know nuthin'. I know he had a great band, and I was a fan. I hate it that the band is done.

Detective Armstrong: What band?

Ron Baldwin: Come on. You know the band, Random Deeds!

Detective Armstrong: Where did you see them?

Ron Baldwin: They played almost every weekend at Proud Larry's. I never missed a gig.

Detective Murphy: How did you happen to be at Jenson's guesthouse last night?

Ron Baldwin: Who says I was there?

Detective Armstrong: Is that how you want to play this? When you know we have half a dozen witnesses?

Ron Baldwin: Fine. I was invited. You didn't know that, did you?

Detective Murphy: Who invited you?

Ron Baldwin: Kent told me to come on over, so I went. How cool is that? Couldn't hardly wait. Guitar Hero is awesome. I could never play in the same class as Jenson, though.

Detective Murphy: Kent who invited you?

Ron Baldwin: You already know who he is.

Detective Murphy: This isn't about what I know. It's about what you know. For instance, do you know Kent's last name?

Ron Baldwin: Erdell. One of the best guitar players around. Know what I'm sayin'?

Detective Murphy: Was that so hard? Now, when did he invite you?

Ron Baldwin: I happened to catch him sitting at the bar at Proud Larry's during a break and just walked up and sat down by him. He's a real friendly dude.

Detective Armstrong: I guess so if he invited you. How did that come about?

Ron Baldwin: Everyone ain't like you, dude. Some people are decent.

Detective Armstrong: I'm hurt. So, did you invite yourself or what?

Ron Baldwin: No. Me and Kent got to talkin' about video games, and he told me they were havin' a party on Sunday night and to come on over. He said Blake wouldn't mind, so I went. I don't get invited to parties with the bands, so I was amped. Know what I'm sayin', dude?

Detective Armstrong: I suppose you have no idea why you don't get invited? And don't call me dude again. Know what I'm sayin'?

Ron Baldwin: It's because of you guys, and you know it. You guys spread the word that I'm some kind of criminal. I oughta sue 'cause you never proved a thing.

Detective Armstrong: Good luck with that. What happened at the party?

Ron Baldwin: Jenson was gettin' ready to get started. Some guy thought he could beat Jenson at Guitar Hero. Name was Stix, I think. It looked like it was gonna be fun to see.

Detective Armstrong: You went over there to watch someone else play a video game?

Ron Baldwin: Yeah.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. You're at Jenson's. Two guys are going to play a video game. Then what?

Ron Baldwin: Somebody ordered food, and when it got there, everyone ran to the kitchen like they was starved. Next thing you know, the lights went out. Know what I'm sayin'? That Stix guy brought bad juju, man.

Detective Armstrong: Stix made the lights go out?

Ron Baldwin: He brought a bad vibe to the mix, man. Know what I'm sayin'?

Detective Armstrong: I guess you'd know something about that. So then what?

Ron Baldwin: The lights came back on, and I heard someone scream from the other room. I went in there, and Blake was on the floor. Dead. Ruined everything. I didn't get to see no challenge or nuthin'. What a drag.

Detective Armstrong: Yeah, the worst thing is that your night was ruined. Did you see anything odd or wrong?

Ron Baldwin: Like what? I didn't see nuthin' except a dead guy on the floor. I heard the girl yell to call 911, and then everyone went crazy.

Detective Murphy: Did you have anything to do with what happened to Blake Jenson?

Ron Baldwin: I knew it. I knew it. You're tryin' to pin this on me!

Detective Murphy: If you didn't do anything, why did you leave?

Ron Baldwin: Me and the cops don't get along so good, so I got outta there. Know what I'm sayin'? It was a bad beat.

Detective Murphy: Taking off like that just makes us wonder what you're hiding.

Ron Baldwin: I ain't hiding nuthin' because I didn't do nuthin'. I knew comin' here without a mouthpiece was a mistake. I ain't talkin' no more.

Detective Armstrong: Don't go far, pal. I'm sure we will be talking to you again. Soon.

Ron Baldwin: Not if I can help it. I don't wanna be in the same room with you again.

Interview ended – 9:34 a.m.