Alibi check – Josh Walker
YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy, Det. E. Parker
Incident No.: 006057-12L-2022
Case Description: Jackson Walker death investigation
After the detectives spoke with Jackson Walker's brother Joshua, investigators attempted to corroborate his whereabouts during the weekend Jackson died.
Friday, December 9
When Deputy Watson followed up with Joshua Walker, Mr. Walker provided a credit card receipt from China Royal restaurant on University Avenue, dated December 9, 2022, at 5:42 p.m.
Deputy Watson spoke with two employees at China Royal who were working the evening of December 9th in an attempt to confirm that Mr. Walker was the person who used his credit card to purchase food. Neither employee remembered Mr. Walker, and each commented that it was no surprise since the restaurant is always busy on Friday evenings.
Saturday, December 10
When Deputy Watson followed up with Joshua Walker, Mr. Walker provided credit card receipts from Walgreens on University Avenue, dated December 10, 2022, at 10:53 a.m., and from Newk's Eatery on University Avenue, dated December 10, 2022, at 6:13 p.m.
Deputy Watson viewed Walgreens' security video for the morning of December 10th and confirmed that Mr. Walker was the person who used his credit card to purchase a gift card.
Deputy Watson also spoke with a member of the wait staff at Newk's who was working the evening of December 10th in an attempt to confirm that Mr. Walker was the person who used his credit card to purchase food. The employee verified that Mr. Walker was at the restaurant. She said she remembered Mr. Walker because he requested "a ton" of extra napkins, used only two, and presumably took the rest home, and that Mr. Walker left a very small tip.
Officers Richards and Vittel spoke with Marty Sims, who worked at the Holly Jolly Holidays ice skating booth on Saturday, December 10th, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., When shown a photo of Joshua Walker, Mr. Sims had a vague recollection of someone resembling Mr. Walker repeatedly walking past the booth but said he didn't think too much of it because it seemed like Mr. Walker was waiting to meet someone.
Officers Richards and Vittel spoke with the hot chocolate booth staff who had worked on Saturday during the time when Mr. Walker said he purchased a beverage, but none of them recalled seeing him.
Sunday, December 11
Deputy Watson spoke with Joshua Walker's next-door neighbors in an attempt to corroborate Mr. Walker's statement that his toilet flushing and showering may have been heard through the apartment walls. Neighbor Julie Carpenter could not confirm that she heard any sounds coming from Mr. Walker's apartment. However, Ms. Carpenter confirmed that Mr. Walker's car was in its parking spot on Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. when she left for church and was there when she returned at approximately 12:15 p.m.
Officers Richards and Vittel spoke with Zach Reger, who worked at the Holly Jolly Holidays ice skating booth on Sunday, December 11th, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. When shown a photo of Joshua Walker, Mr. Reger said he distinctly remembered Mr. Walker because Mr. Walker "was damned near pacing" past the booth and seemed to grow more frustrated as time passed. Mr. Reger said he began staring Mr. Walker down as he walked past and was surprised when Mr. Walker rented skates. Mr. Reger said Mr. Walker briefly skated, and when Mr. Walker returned the skates, he asked for candy, which Mr. Reger said he found very strange.
