Zina Jacinto interview

Thursday, August 1, 2024 – 2:10 p.m.

Zina Jacinto arrived at the sheriff's department and demanded to see Detectives Armstrong and Murphy, saying she had important information about Kelly Moran.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy talked to her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Zina Jacinto

Detective Armstrong: Good afternoon, Miss Zina. Nice to see you. How have you been?

Zina Jacinto: As well as can be expected. I've been waiting for you to call me about this mess with my neighbor. I'm the person with the information, after all.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, ma'am. So, you know something about Kelly Moran?

Zina Jacinto: Of course I do. I keep an eye on everything that goes on near my home.

Detective Murphy: Miss Zina, before you tell us what you know, would you please state your name and address for the record?

Zina Jacinto: My name is Zina Jacinto. I live at 423 Turnberry Circle, as you well know.

Detective Murphy: Thank you. Now, what can you tell us about Kelly Moran?

Zina Jacinto: She was trouble, that's what. I'm not surprised it finally caught up with her.

Detective Armstrong: What do you mean "she was trouble"?

Zina Jacinto: Mabel already told you. People in and out. Cars parked all over the street.

Detective Murphy: Maybe she had a lot of friends.

Zina Jacinto: I'm surprised at you, Detective Murphy. I thought you were a professional.

Detective Murphy: Right. Well, maybe you can help me out.

Zina Jacinto: It's not normal to have so many visitors all the time. Occasionally, you might, if you're ill or it's the holidays or something, but not all the time. She was obviously up to no good.

Detective Armstrong: What do you think she was doing?

Zina Jacinto: Drugs! It has to be.

Detective Armstrong: You think Kelly Moran was doing drugs?

Zina Jacinto: And selling!

Detective Armstrong: Do you have any proof?

Zina Jacinto: I just told you.

Detective Murphy: Okay, but as a professional, I can tell you that the courts require more than just your word for it.

Zina Jacinto: Well, they shouldn't. Why else would all those people be going to see that woman?

Detective Murphy: You didn't like her?

Zina Jacinto: She was rude.

Detective Armstrong: To you?

Zina Jacinto: Yes. I only talked to her a couple of times, but she was rude to Mabel, too. Right to her face!

Detective Murphy: So she was rude. And…?

Zina Jacinto: And inconsiderate!

Detective Murphy: I can see how that would be upsetting, but it's not evidence of criminal activity.

Zina Jacinto: I should've known you wouldn't believe me. It's because of Joey, isn't it?

Detective Murphy: Uh… no.

Zina Jacinto: You think I can't tell who's a criminal and who's not because of him. Well, I know depravity and sin when I see it, no matter what you think.

Detective Armstrong: Miss Zina?

Zina Jacinto: Yes, what?

Detective Armstrong: I remember that you've always kept a very close eye on what goes on in your neighborhood.

Zina Jacinto: That's right. I do. Someone had to.

Detective Armstrong: And sometimes, you've made notes about people and vehicles that come and go and that sort of thing.

Zina Jacinto: And license plates. Dates and times, too. I've done a lot of police work for your department, even if not everyone appreciates it.

Detective Armstrong: Have you been doing anything like that lately?

Zina Jacinto: I can't spend all my time over there watching that Jezebel. I have my cats to take care of.

Detective Armstrong: Yes, ma'am. But maybe you did write down a few things?

Zina Jacinto: I might have.

Detective Armstrong: Would you be willing to share that with us?

Zina Jacinto: I don't know. Some people think I'm just a crazy old lady.

Detective Murphy: Nobody said that, Miss Zina.

Detective Armstrong: Well, I'd like to see that list. It could be important information in the case. Would you let me see it?

Zina Jacinto: I suppose I could do that—if you promise to take it seriously.

Detective Armstrong: Oh, yes, ma'am.

Zina Jacinto: Well… all right. I wouldn't give this list to just anybody, but I'll trust you with it, Detective Armstrong.

Detective Armstrong: Thank you. I appreciate that.

Detective Murphy: You said earlier that Kelly Moran was rude to you. When did that happen?

Zina Jacinto: Every time I talked to her.

Detective Murphy: How many times was that?

Zina Jacinto: A few times.

Detective Armstrong: When was the last time?

Zina Jacinto: In April. I was visiting Mabel, and they were having I-don't-know-how-many people over for one of their parties. Well, I marched right over there and told them they needed to keep the noise level down and the streets clear. What if a fire truck or an ambulance needed to get through?

Detective Armstrong: And what did the Morans say?

Zina Jacinto: That woman said I should come in and join the party, and then maybe it wouldn't bother me so much.

Detective Armstrong: That was nice of her to invite you. What did you say?

Zina Jacinto: Nice? I told her I'm a church-going woman, and I don't go to parties like that.

Detective Armstrong: I see. Did she say anything after that?

Zina Jacinto: She told me if that's how I felt, then I should go home and mind my own business. Can you believe the nerve of that woman? I was about to give her a piece of my mind, but the husband came up and said they'd keep it down and keep the street clear.

Detective Murphy: Was that the end of it?

Zina Jacinto: Yes.

Detective Murphy: And that was the last time you talked to Kelly Moran?

Zina Jacinto: Yes.

Detective Murphy: Ted?

Detective Armstrong: Miss Zina, is there anything else you can think of that we— that I should know about?

Zina Jacinto: No, I don't think so. But if I remember anything else, I'll call you right away. Detective Armstrong.

Detective Armstrong: Thank you. Now, do you need us to get one of the officers to drive you home, or do you have a ride?

Zina Jacinto: You can drive me home, Detective Armstrong.

Detective Armstrong: I would love that, but I need to follow up on this new information you've given us.

Zina Jacinto: Well, I can't wait around all afternoon. I have things to do, you know.

Detective Armstrong: Of course. How about this? I'll get Deputy Watson to drive you home. I think you'll like him. He loves cats.

Zina Jacinto: That sounds wonderful. You know, I've got two adorable tabby kittens who are about ready to go to their forever homes. Do you think he'd like to adopt them?

Detective Armstrong: I don't know, but you should definitely ask him. Wait right here for a moment, and we'll send him in.

Interview ended – 2:38 p.m.