Carl Warren interview #2

Saturday, January 6, 2024 – 2:30 p.m.

Carl Warren is the self-described pastor of the Elvis Faithful.

Detectives Murphy and Parker re-interviewed him at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Carl Warren

Detective Parker: Mr. Warren, thank you for coming in to see us again. Would you state your name and address for the record, please?

Carl Warren: My name is Carl Warren, and I live at 356 County Road 102. How much time do you need from me today? I've been swamped signing up new members since that conference, and I need to prepare for our next meeting.

Detective Murphy: So the conference was beneficial to your group?

Carl Warren: Oh, very much so. I believe we've already signed up 40 new members. There was a huge turnout this year. The Elvis Faithful may need to meet in a larger hall to fit all the people in.

Detective Murphy: We're happy you could find success in someone's death.

Carl Warren: So am I, detective. If a man must die before his time, it is best to leave the world a better place, and Elvis did that better than anyone has. People find such strength and wisdom from him. Perhaps the two of you would be interested in some of our beliefs?

Detective Murphy: Thank you, no. I wasn't referring to Elvis when I mentioned someone's death. I meant Mr. Plunk.

Carl Warren: Oh. Well, clearly the publicity around his death had some impact on the number of people attending the conference. However, I fail to see how that would help us. I firmly believe that if a person is ready to accept and to open their mind and heart, they will find the Elvis Faithful to be a lifesaver.

Detective Murphy: Uh-huh.

Carl Warren: I can sense some anger and frustration in you, detective. I know you must be under a large amount of stress in your job. I believe you would benefit from attending our services.

Detective Murphy: That's very kind of you, Mr. Warren. Have you heard any more about the letters that Mr. Plunk claimed to have?

Carl Warren: Heard more? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. Of course, like everyone else, I heard that they were supposed to be anti-Elvis, but as I told you before, I don't think that would've impacted my group in any way. If a person is ready to accept what I have to share, they will accept it, letters or no letters.

Detective Parker: We've heard some rumors that the letters might possibly have been forgeries.

Carl Warren: Forgeries? Why would someone want to make a forgery of letters that would hurt Elvis's reputation?

Detective Parker: Well, the mere mention of the letters caused quite a stir in the general public and in the media. Perhaps the letters were written to generate interest in Elvis. I mean, he clearly isn't getting any younger.

Carl Warren: Are you trying to imply that Elvis is still alive?

Detective Parker: That is one theory.

Carl Warren: Oh, come now, detective. We all know that Elvis has passed on. I mean, it would be absurd to believe he's still alive. Next, you'll be telling me you believe in UFOs and wear a tinfoil hat.

Detective Murphy: Well, whether Elvis is alive or dead, these letters would and have caused a renewed interest in him.

Carl Warren: I believe the interest in Elvis is the same. There were simply more people at the conference this year. Not to say that it's because of Mr. Plunk's death, just that more people attended once they heard about the conference.

Detective Parker: You mentioned before that interest in your group has risen this year, and the Elvis letters did cause a stir. What if someone forged them just to generate that interest so people would come to more conventions where they may perhaps hear of a church centered around Elvis and want to learn more about it?

Carl Warren: Detective! That is absurd! I can't believe you would think I would have anything to do with trying to raise interest in Elvis under false pretenses. There is plenty of interest in the King already. He will live forever. He doesn't need my help to do that.

Detective Parker: Live forever?

Carl Warren: I mean in the hearts of the people of the world that know him and love him. To think that I would forge documents to create more interest in this beloved man is preposterous. There's no reason for me to do anything like that.

Detective Murphy: Can you think of anyone who might have a reason to do that?

Carl Warren: Other than Jared Plunk, of course? He obviously had the most to gain by creating and publicizing slanderous letters. He wanted to make a name for himself, and more importantly, make money for himself.

Detective Parker: But he didn't stab himself.

Carl Warren: Well, you'd know better than me, detective. All I can tell you for sure is that I didn't do it.

Detective Parker: So who did?

Carl Warren: My guess would be Max Snyder. Jared Plunk could've ruined his conference, not just for this year but forever. But the Boyds had plenty of reason to hate him, and the Davises, not to mention his own wife. Honestly, I don't know how you'll ever figure out who killed him.

Detective Parker: Or maybe you're just hoping we won't?

Carl Warren: I don't care for your insinuation, and I don't believe I'll stay here a moment longer. For the record, I had nothing to do with forging any letters, and I did not kill Jared Plunk.

Detective Murphy: Thanks for your time, sir. We'll be in touch.

Interview ended – 2:52 p.m.