Karen West interview #2

Sunday, August 4, 2024 – 11:44 a.m.

Karen West came in for another conversation with the detectives since she wasn't herself in her first interview.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy spoke with her at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Karen West

Detective Murphy: Would you please state your name and address for the record?

Karen West: My name is Karen West, and my address is 428 Turnberry Court, Oxford, Mississippi.

Detective Murphy: You seem to be having an easier time answering those questions than the last time we talked.

Karen West: That was so embarrassing. I am so embarrassed. I apologize to both of you for the way I must have appeared when I was here before. My blood sugar levels were off the chart.

Detective Armstrong: I understand that can happen.

Detective Murphy: What kind of car does Kenny drive?

Karen West: Kenny? Kenny who?

Detective Murphy: Last time you were here, you mentioned a Kenny. Now that your blood sugar is all better, might you remember his name?

Karen West: I'm not sure who you mean.

Detective Armstrong: Someone else we talked to mentioned a man hanging around the Moran residence. Apparently, he drives an older silver car. Does that sound familiar?

Karen West: I don't really notice what people drive. If you asked me what they wore, that would be a different thing entirely, but a vehicle is too mechanical to engage my imagination.

Detective Armstrong: Do please keep a lookout for that car, just in case it belongs to the killer, and he decides to expand his scope to include Kelly's friends.

Karen West: Are you suggesting I might be in danger?

Detective Armstrong: We don't yet know why Kelly was killed, and so we can't rule out any workable theory.

Detective Murphy: A funny thing about blood sugar. People going into insulin shock can exhibit behaviors not unlike those of someone on drugs.

Karen West: I did apologize if I seemed out of sorts.

Detective Armstrong: We're still processing the plates and descriptions of vehicles seen in the Moran neighborhood over the last few months. Do you think we might find Kenny that way?

Karen West: I wouldn't have the foggiest idea.

Detective Murphy: Here's what I don't understand. Your friend Kelly? She hurt her back. She's been plagued by pain for I don't know how long, but guess what we didn't find in her house.

Karen West: I don't know. What?

Detective Murphy: Pain meds. It's as though the killer stole them. And then, if the killer took those meds, it's not unreasonable to assume that the person would act strangely.

Karen West: Are you accusing me of something?

Detective Armstrong: Of course not. We're just trying to get at the truth. Your husband, he didn't have much good to say about Kelly.

Karen West: No, they weren't the best of friends.

Detective Armstrong: Unless he was trying to convince us he didn't like her, so we wouldn't suspect the opposite. Do you think it's possible your husband was actually involved with Kelly Moran?

Karen West: The very idea is absurd.

Detective Murphy: I can understand why you might want to take the edge off before coming in here, the types of questions that can be raised. Your best friend. Your husband. Kenny. What part does he play in all this?

Karen West: As I said before, you must have misunderstood what I said last time.

Detective Murphy: You did seem very addled. Are you under a doctor's care for this blood sugar thing?

Karen West: I keep forgetting to make an appointment.

Detective Murphy: You may want to make yourself a note.

Karen West: I will. Straight after I leave here. Do you have any more questions?

Detective Armstrong: Just a few. Are you aware of your husband's movements the night Kelly Moran was murdered?

Karen West: I don't like what you're implying.

Detective Armstrong: I'm just trying to confirm his story.

Karen West: He worked late and came straight home.

Detective Armstrong: Are you sure about that?

Karen West: I have no reason to doubt him.

Detective Armstrong: And what time did he get home?

Karen West: Probably a little after midnight. A movie I wanted to watch had just started.

Detective Armstrong: Which one was that?

Karen West: Gaslight.

Detective Armstrong: A classic. Isn't that the one where the husband sets out to mess with his wife's mind?

Karen West: I fell asleep soon after it started.

Detective Armstrong: Hope I didn't ruin the movie for you.

Detective Murphy: I think Detective Armstrong is correct in warning you to keep an eye out for the older silver vehicle, whether or not Kenny is the one driving it. We're following up on several different leads, and I'm beginning to wonder if the killer isn't done yet.

Karen West: You're making me nervous. You think I should be scared of this Kenny person?

Detective Murphy: If you don't know him and he doesn't know you, what would you have to be scared about?

Karen West: You just said he might try to kill me.

Detective Murphy: Why would he want to do that?

Detective Armstrong: Maybe he's worried about what she might tell us about him.

Detective Murphy: That's a good point.

Karen West: But I haven't told you anything about him.

Detective Armstrong: How would he know that?

Karen West: I told you, I don't know him.

Detective Armstrong: Then I guess you have nothing to worry about.

Karen West: I need to go. I don't appreciate you luring me here in the middle of the day. Anyone could've seen me come in here.

Detective Armstrong: Who would care?

Karen West: Stop it. Stop trying to scare me. I don't want to talk to you anymore. I'm leaving.

Detective Murphy: Okay. You have a nice day now.

Detective Armstrong: And if you decide there is something you want to tell us, you know where to find us.

Interview ended – 12:08 p.m.