Marvin Lewis interview

Monday, February 5, 2024 – 10:00 a.m.

Marvin Lewis is a friend of Blake Jenson.

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

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Marvin Lewis

Detective Murphy: Good morning, Mr. Lewis. We appreciate you coming to talk with us today.

Marvin Lewis: Thank you, detective. I assume this is about Blake's death. I still can't believe he's gone. How could this have happened?

Detective Murphy: That's what we're trying to find out. For the record, could you please state your name and address?

Marvin Lewis: Marvin Lewis. 532 North Lamar, Oxford.

Detective Armstrong: Mr. Lewis, what time did you arrive at Blake Jenson's guesthouse yesterday?

Marvin Lewis: Please, call me Marvin. I stopped at Blake's around 5:00 and left around 5:30 p.m. since he was having some friends over for a video game party. I went to see a movie at Oxford Studio.

Detective Murphy: On Jackson?

Marvin Lewis: Yes.

Detective Armstrong: Why didn't you stay for the party?

Marvin Lewis: I'm not really into parties.

Detective Murphy: What movie did you see?

Marvin Lewis: "American Fiction."

Detective Armstrong: Did you like it?

Marvin Lewis: I did.

Detective Murphy: Would you have been welcome at Blake's party if you stayed?

Marvin Lewis: Well, yeah, he invited me to stay.

Detective Armstrong: Who was at the guesthouse when you arrived?

Marvin Lewis: Just Blake and Kent Erdell. We talked for a while about how things were going with school and their band, Random Deeds.

Detective Murphy: You ever think about joining the band?

Marvin Lewis: Too much wear and tear on the fingers. I'm going to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Detective Murphy: Oh? Good luck with that.

Detective Armstrong: Does Blake have these parties often?

Marvin Lewis: Yes, he does. Everyone says Blake is—or I guess, was—the best Guitar Hero player in the county. He was proud of that.

Detective Armstrong: Not quite on par with becoming a heart surgeon, is it?

Marvin Lewis: No, sir, but it was important to him. When he wasn't in school or practicing with his band, he had friends come over to his guesthouse to challenge him.

Detective Armstrong: Do you play?

Marvin Lewis: No, I've got to keep my grades up, and I'm not really musical.

Detective Armstrong: From what I've seen, it's more about reflexes and control—good traits for a heart surgeon.

Marvin Lewis: I guess.

Detective Murphy: Marvin, can you think of anyone who might have wanted to harm Blake?

Marvin Lewis: Because of Guitar Hero? No. It was just for fun. People wanted to beat him, sure, but it's not like someone would kill him over a game.

Detective Murphy: Maybe for some other reason, then.

Marvin Lewis: No way. Blake was really popular. He might've bragged about his skills, but that's all. He was a good guy.

Detective Armstrong: Marvin, you mentioned Kent Erdell. What can you tell us about him?

Marvin Lewis: I've known Kent since junior high. He and Blake have been best friends since they were babies practically. They go to school together at Ole Miss. Kent's the drummer in Blake's band. I heard he called 911. I'm just glad I wasn't there. It must have been awful.

Detective Armstrong: Don't you go to school at Ole Miss?

Marvin Lewis: Yes, but I'm pre-med.

Detective Armstrong: Are you friends with Kent?

Marvin Lewis: Just by association with Blake. We don't hang out otherwise.

Detective Murphy: How do you feel about their friendship?

Marvin Lewis: How do you mean?

Detective Murphy: You like Blake, but he likes Kent better.

Marvin Lewis: We're grown men, detective. Blake and I were good friends but not best friends. We never were. But…oh, man… I'm going to miss him. Sorry.

Detective Armstrong: That's okay, Marvin. Here's a tissue. We know it's hard losing a friend.

Marvin Lewis: Thank you, detective.

Detective Armstrong: As soon as you're ready, you're free to leave.

Detective Murphy: If you think of anything that may be helpful to our investigation, please don't hesitate to call.

Marvin Lewis: Thank you.

Interview ended – 10:21 a.m.