Kurt Grubman interview

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 – 11:00 a.m.

Kurt Grubman was one of Annette Wyatt’s co-workers at the Harte Agency.

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

Participants:

• Detective E. Parker
• Detective S. Murphy
• Kurt Grubman

Detective Parker: Thanks for coming in, Mr. Grubman. Have a seat. First off, we need your name and address for our records.

Kurt Grubman: Good morning, Detective. My name is Kurt Grubman, and I live at 1267 Horne Road, here in Oxford, Mississippi. I take it this is about Annette.

Detective Parker: You’re absolutely right. When was the last time you saw Annette Wyatt?

Kurt Grubman: I left the office on Friday around 4:30 p.m. I saw her sitting at her desk.

Detective Parker: Where were you on Saturday?

Kurt Grubman: I was home with my wife, Joanna. She made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. She’s a great cook. After dinner, we took our daughter, Isabelle, and went for a bike ride.

Detective Parker: Do you know why Annette was at the office the night she died?

Kurt Grubman: I’m not sure. We lost some clients to Pearce Brokers, and Jeff was having Annette check into it to see if there was a leak at Harte. She said she was going to disclose the person’s name on Monday. Maybe she was there for that reason. That’s all I know.

Detective Parker: Mr. Grubman, were you one that leaked information to Pearce?

Kurt Grubman: Hell, no! Jeff is my best friend. I wouldn’t do that to him.

Detective Parker: Who has access to the office when it’s closed?

Kurt Grubman: All the agents have a key in case we need to go in after hours.

Detective Parker: Tell us about your work relationship with Annette Wyatt.

Kurt Grubman: We got along for the most part. She could be bossy, but aren’t most women?

Detective Murphy: Let’s get stay focused on Annette. We heard you argued a lot. Can you tell us what you disagreed on?

Kurt Grubman: Okay, you’re right. We didn’t get along. She was an agent like the rest of us, but she acted like she owned the place. Miss Big Shot!

Detective Murphy: Sounds like you didn’t like her very much.

Kurt Grubman: I’ll admit it. I didn’t like her. She always had a smirk on her face. She was annoying because she was always polishing her nails. She never used any other color but red. It was ridiculous.

Detective Murphy: Were you jealous of her success?

Kurt Grubman: No. I wasn’t jealous of her, but I was suspicious of her. She wanted to be a partner in the agency at any cost.

Detective Parker: What were your suspicions based on?

Kurt Grubman: She had motives when it came to Jeff.

Detective Parker: What do you think those motives were?

Kurt Grubman: I know she wanted to break up Jeff and Elena’s marriage. I don’t think she ever got over him.

Detective Murphy: How did Jeff feel about Annette?

Kurt Grubman: He’s too trusting. I know he didn’t love her, but he relied on her for his business. He wanted her for the money she made.

Detective Parker: Did you ever discuss Annette with him?

Kurt Grubman: I tried, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s such a horse’s ass when it comes to Annette.

Detective Parker: How did Elena Harte feel about Annette?

Kurt Grubman: I think she’s a little jealous of her, but she trusts Jeff.

Detective Parker: Did Annette have any enemies? Anyone that wanted to harm her?

Kurt Grubman: There was a woman she sold a house to. Chris Frost. Annette sold her the house, but this Frost woman decided she wanted Annette for her friend, and Annette was having no part of it. After the sale was final, Annette cut all ties with her, but this woman kept sending emails and texts. Then she started following Annette to houses she was showing.

Detective Murphy: How did you find out about these interactions between Annette and Ms. Frost?

Kurt Grubman: Annette told us. The woman was really annoying her. And Meg complained about it too.

Detective Murphy: Meg?

Kurt Grubman: Meg Lancaster, our receptionist. She’s been having to take calls from the woman too.

Detective Murphy: Did anyone do anything about it?

Kurt Grubman: I don’t know. Not my problem.

Detective Parker: You said you disliked Annette. Did you hate her enough to kill her?

Kurt Grubman: Wait a minute. You’re barking up the wrong tree here. No matter what my feelings were for Annette, I felt bad when I heard she was murdered. No one should have their life taken away from them.

Detective Murphy: Mr. Grubman, do you know if a nail gun was kept in the office at the Harte Agency?

Kurt Grubman: Yes, Jeff had one at the office for minor repairs.  

Detective Murphy: Can you describe it?

Kurt Grubman: It was a typical nail gun. I think it was green with black on it. I’m not sure about the brand.

Detective Murphy: Do you know where the nail gun was kept and who had access to it?

Kurt Grubman: I’m not sure where Jeff kept it. I guess everyone in the office had access. What does this have to do with Annette’s murder?

Detective Murphy: Do you own a nail gun?

Kurt Grubman: No. I’m not too handy with power tools.

Detective Parker: Thank you for your time, Mr. Grubman. We may need to call on you again. You can go now.

Kurt Grubman: I have nothing to hide. Good day, detectives.

Interview ended - 11:24 a.m.