Darren Barksdale interview #2

Sunday, September 5, 2021 – 4:10 p.m.

Darren Barksdale had been dating Annette Wyatt since 2018.

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

Participants:

• Detective S. Murphy
• Detective E. Parker
• Darren Barksdale

Detective Murphy: Hello again, Darren. For the record, could you please state your name and address?

Darren Barksdale: My name is Darren Barksdale, and my address is 1711 Anderson Road, Apt. 244 in Oxford.

Detective Parker: How are you doing, Darren?

Darren Barksdale: I've been better.

Detective Murphy: Since we last spoke with you, we've found out that you weren't completely honest with us.

Darren Barksdale: What? Yes, I was.

Detective Parker: You told us that the night Ms. Wyatt was killed, you were at a bar having a couple of drinks.

Darren Barksdale: Yes, that is exactly where I was. All true.

Detective Murphy: In fact, you had more than a couple of drinks.

Darren Barksdale: Okay, you're right. I did. I got pretty s**t-faced.

Detective Parker: You also said you drove yourself home.

Detective Murphy: Why did you lie to us? What were you hiding?

Darren Barksdale: The fact that I was drunk. I don't normally do that. I know when to quit.

Detective Murphy: Why didn't you quit that night? Was it because you had just killed your girlfriend?

Darren Barksdale: No. I loved her so much. I realize now that I was a fool. That night, I just wanted to ask her to marry me. When she didn't show up, and I didn't get to ask, I was pretty upset, so I drank too much too fast, and it got the best of me.

Detective Parker: Speaking of bars, how often would you say Ms. Wyatt went to The Roadhouse?

Darren Barksdale: The Roadhouse? I don't know. I don't think we ever went there, but she could've gone with clients or other people, I guess.

Detective Parker: Would it seem unusual to you if she was there three times the week she was killed?

Darren Barksdale: I don't know.

Detective Murphy: You said you realized you were a fool. What made you a fool, Darren?

Darren Barksdale: Loving a girl who didn't love me in return.

Detective Parker: What makes you say that?

Darren Barksdale: A few days after the funeral, people would approach me to offer their condolences, and several of them told me that she had been seeing other men.

Detective Murphy: You told us last time that people had said things like that to you before, and you thought they were talking about seeing Annette with clients. You don't think that anymore?

Darren Barksdale: I'm not sure what to think. I trusted her. This has really messed me up. I just feel so stupid and naïve.

Detective Murphy: Did you know that Annette had a personal trainer?

Darren Barksdale: Yes, I did. He even had dinner with us one night. Seemed like a nice enough guy.

Detective Murphy: He says that he had a sexual relationship with Annette.

Darren Barksdale: You have got to be kidding me! How could I have been so blind? She was flaunting him right in my face, and I didn't see it.

Detective Parker: Come on, Darren. You found out about her cheating ways, and you wanted revenge, didn't you?

Darren Barksdale: No. Even if I had found out before, I wouldn't have hurt her. I would have been heartbroken, but I would never hurt her.

Detective Murphy: Darren, did Annette ever tell you she was going to leave her job at Harte and go to work at Pearce Brokers?

Darren Barksdale: No. I really didn't know her at all, did I?

Detective Parker: There was a clock radio in Annette's living room. Do you know where or when she got that?

Darren Barksdale: No, I don't.

Detective Murphy: Did you lie to us about anything else?

Darren Barksdale: No, just about the drinking and how I got home. I have nothing to hide except my ignorance.

Detective Parker: Thank you for your time.

Darren Barksdale: You're welcome.

Detective Murphy: May I give you some advice?

Darren Barksdale: Sure, why not.

Detective Murphy: Talk to someone. It's obvious that you're distraught, and it may help.

Darren Barksdale: I'll be all right, but thanks for your concern.

Detective Murphy: At least think about it. We can give you some names if you change your mind. Thanks again for coming in.

Interview ended – 4:35 p.m.