Interview: Andy Brandt

Friday, April 6, 2012 - 1:37 p.m.

Andy Brandt is Ronny Brandt's older brother. Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed him at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. The interview was recorded with the witness' knowledge and consent.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Andy Brandt

Detective Armstrong: Good afternoon, Mr. Brandt. Thanks for coming in to speak with us.

Andy Brandt: No prob. What do you need?

Detective Armstrong: We have a few questions to ask you about your family.

Andy Brandt: All right... shoot. Not literally, of course. I don't need any more of that.

Detective Murphy: You don't need any more of that? What exactly do you mean?

Andy Brandt: Just a joke. A cop didn't really shoot at me.

Detective Armstrong: I see here that you've had a few run-ins with the police. Isn't that correct?

Andy Brandt: Well, yeah... you police always gotta bring that stuff up?

Detective Murphy: No, we don't. I can't say that it doesn't raise suspicion though.

Andy Brandt: Suspicion of what? That was a long time ago.

Detective Armstrong: No, it really wasn't that long ago. You still up to your old ways? Taking things that don't belong to you?

Andy Brandt: No, I did my time. That's all in the past. I'm living right, now.

Detective Murphy: All right, Mr. Brandt, if you say so. What can you tell us about your brother and his family?

Andy Brandt: What you mean? They're a regular family like anyone else.

Detective Armstrong: Any bickering, fighting?

Andy Brandt: I don't know. I haven't been around much.

Detective Murphy: Didn't you stay with the family for a while when you came to town?

Andy Brandt: Well, yeah, when I was getting settled, finding an apartment. So what?

Detective Murphy: So you must have seen how they got along with each other. Or didn't.

Andy Brandt: They got along fine. What do you want me to say?

Detective Armstrong: No arguments?

Andy Brandt: Everybody argues, but it's no big deal.

Detective Murphy: Did everything seem OK with the family? Did everyone seem happy?

Andy Brandt: Yeah, they're fine. As happy as anyone, I guess.

Detective Armstrong: How about RJ? Did he ever do or say anything unusual?

Andy Brandt: No. That kid is fine too, just a little shy sometimes.

Detective Murphy: Have you spent time with the family when you weren't living there?

Andy Brandt: What do you mean?.

Detective Murphy: Weekends, holidays, that kind of thing.

Andy Brandt: Oh, yeah. Sometimes.

Detective Armstrong: Have you noticed any changes? Like do they get along better now than they used to? Or do they argue more now than in the past?

Andy Brandt: Man, I don't know. When they start bitching at each other, I take off. I don't need that crap.

Detective Armstrong: So they do argue.

Andy Brandt: I told you. Everybody argues. It's no big deal.

Detective Murphy: Who argues with whom exactly?

Andy Brandt: Huh?

Detective Murphy: Is it your brother arguing with his wife? Or she's arguing with him? Or they're arguing with RJ? What usually happens?

Andy Brandt: I don't know. What difference does it make?

Detective Armstrong: What can you tell us about your niece who died?

Andy Brandt: What?

Detective Armstrong: You had a niece who died, right?

Andy Brandt: Uh, yeah?

Detective Armstrong: You're not sure?

Andy Brandt: No, I just‒ no‒ yeah. In Biloxi, yeah.

Detective Armstrong: So what can you tell us about her?

Andy Brandt: Nothing. What do you mean? She was a baby. She died. It was sad.

Detective Armstrong: You're all broken up about it, huh?

Andy Brandt: It was a long time ago.

Detective Murphy: What about Ronny and Heather? Have they gotten over their daughter's death like you have?

Andy Brandt: I don't know. Parents don't really get over a thing like that, do they? But I guess they're doing OK.

Detective Murphy: What about RJ? How did he take it?

Andy Brandt: I don't know. About like you'd expect, I guess.

Detective Armstrong: Mr. Brandt, I have a feeling maybe there's more you could be telling us.

Andy Brandt: About what?

Detective Armstrong: I think you know.

Andy Brandt: I'm sorry, sir. I don't know what you want me to say.

Detective Armstrong: If that's the way you want to play it, then I think we're done for now.

Detective Murphy: But be thinking about what else you have to tell us. We'll be in touch.

Andy Brandt: Yes, ma'am.

Interview ends: 1:52 p.m.