Naomi Fields interview

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 – 10:00 a.m.

Naomi Fields was Annette Wyatt's best friend.

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

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Naomi Fields

Detective Murphy: Good morning, Ms. Fields. Please come in and have a seat. Detective Parker and I want to say how sorry we are for your loss. Can we get you anything before we get started?

Naomi Fields: Thank you, but I'm okay.

Detective Murphy: We need your name and address for our records.

Naomi Fields: I'd feel more comfortable if you call me Naomi. My name is Naomi Fields, and I live at 2014 Brandywine, Oxford, Mississippi.

Detective Murphy: What was your relationship with Annette Wyatt?

Naomi Fields: Annette has been my best friend since high school.

Detective Murphy: When was the last time you spoke to her?

Naomi Fields: I talked to her on the phone Saturday.

Detective Murphy: What time was this, and what did you talk about?

Naomi Fields: I called her from work around 6:00 p.m. We'd made plans to meet for dinner at 7:00, but it had been a long day at the spa, and I was exhausted. We decided to have dinner on Sunday instead. She said it was okay with her because she had plans to meet Darren later in the evening.

Detective Murphy: What did you do the rest of the evening?

Naomi Fields: I went home after I talked to Annette and lounged around the house until I went to bed at 9:00 p.m.

Detective Parker: Naomi, who's Darren?

Naomi Fields: Darren Barksdale, he's Annette's boyfriend.

Detective Parker: Do you know what time she was supposed to meet Darren?

Naomi Fields: No, she didn't tell me.

Detective Parker: Can you tell us about Annette and Darren's relationship?

Naomi Fields: They dated, but it wasn't a serious relationship. None of her relationships were serious, to be honest. I think she used men for sex mostly.

Detective Parker: Do you know why Annette was in the office Saturday night?

Naomi Fields: I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but Jeff Harte had asked Annette to investigate a possible leak at the Harte Agency. They had recently lost some clients to Pearce Brokers. Jeff wanted to know if it was someone in the office.

Detective Parker: Did Annette come up with anything?

Naomi Fields: I'm not sure. She said she'd tell me on Monday, but she was killed before she had a chance.

Detective Parker: Do you know who has access to the Harte office when it's closed?

Naomi Fields: I'm sure Annette and Jeff did. I would assume the other agents did too.

Detective Parker: What was Annette's work relationship with Jeff Harte?

Naomi Fields: She was there from the very beginning. He relied on her, and he trusted her. Besides that, Annette brought in a whole lot of money. Jeff told her he would make her a partner someday, but he always had an excuse not to. Regardless of the partner thing, Annette respected him and was very loyal.

Detective Murphy: Why did he refuse to make her a partner?

Naomi Fields: Annette blamed it on his wife, Elena.

Detective Murphy: Why would Elena object to Annette becoming a partner?

Naomi Fields: Annette dated Jeff at one time, and I think Elena thought she still had feelings for him. Annette said Elena was jealous of her and Jeff.

Detective Murphy: Did she still have feelings for Jeff?

Naomi Fields: I think Annette was hoping he'd come back to her one day.

Detective Murphy: Do you think Jeff would leave his wife for Annette?

Naomi Fields: No. I think he loves his wife and never had intentions of leaving her, especially now that she's having his child.

Detective Murphy: Do you think Elena Harte could've had something to do with Annette's death?

Naomi Fields: I guess it's possible. Jealousy can make you do a lot of things.

Detective Parker: If you were investigating this case, who would you talk to?

Naomi Fields: I would definitely talk to Elena and Jeff Harte, and Darren Barksdale. Darren may possibly have been the last person to see her alive, except for the killer, of course.

Detective Parker: You don't think Darren could've done this?

Naomi Fields: No, I don't … think so? He doesn't seem like the type?

Detective Murphy: Naomi, do you own a nail gun?

Naomi Fields: No, but what does that have to do with Annette's murder?

Detective Murphy: Thank you for coming in, Naomi. If we have any more questions, we'd like to contact you again. Would that be okay?

Naomi Fields: Of course. I'll do anything I can to help. You'll find who did this to her, won't you?

Detective Murphy: We'll do our best. Once again, I want you to know how sorry Detective Parker and I are for the loss of your friend.

Naomi Fields: Thank you.

Interview ended – 10:21 a.m.