Sofia Church interview #3

Sunday, September 5, 2021 – 2:00 p.m.

The detectives spoke to Sofia Church again to find out what she had to say about Elliott Owens's recent allegation that Annette Wyatt was the person giving information to Pearce Brokers and whether that could have been a motive for Wyatt's murder.

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

Participants:

• Detective E. Parker
• Detective S. Murphy
• Sofia Church

Detective Murphy: Once again, would you please state your name and address for the record?

Sofia Church: My name is Sofia Church, and I live at 102 Augusta Drive.

Detective Murphy: Do you know why we asked you in to talk with us again?

Sofia Church: I have an idea, but I don't know if it's true.

Detective Murphy: And what idea is that?

Sofia Church: People are saying that Annette was spying for Pearce Brokers, that she was feeding them confidential information. It's almost unbelievable.

Detective Parker: Are you trying to tell us you didn't know what she was doing?

Sofia Church: I didn't. She was upset about not being brought in as a partner, but I didn't imagine she was capable of being so underhanded. I suppose anything is possible. I suppose some people will do anything to get ahead.

Detective Parker: And you're speaking from experience, Mrs. Iglesias?

Sofia Church: There is nothing wrong with my accommodating the Hispanic and Latino community. Even your own voicemail system urges callers to "pulse dos para Español."

Detective Murphy: How do your co-workers seem to be responding to news of Annette's alleged betrayal?

Sofia Church: In any group, there will always be some who delight in finding faults with others. And when those faults actually exist, there will be those who are quick to crucify.

Detective Murphy: Is anybody saying they knew all along?

Sofia Church: Not to me.

Detective Parker: That's funny because people are telling us that you knew all along.

Sofia Church: That's a lie. Who told you that? This whole ugliness is bringing out the worst side of people.

Detective Parker: By ugliness, do you mean murder? Taking a nail gun to someone you've worked alongside for years?

Sofia Church: That and the talking about it, the reveling in the seediness.

Detective Parker: You must find the behavior frustrating.

Sofia Church: We're there to facilitate property transactions, not to gossip.

Detective Parker: Makes you wish you had access to another nail gun.

Sofia Church: That's not funny, detective.

Detective Parker: No, it isn't.

Detective Murphy: Did anyone in the office ask you for details about finding Annette's body?

Sofia Church: I wouldn't discuss what happened. Not outside this room.

Detective Parker: You didn't talk to your husband about it?

Sofia Church: Of course, I did. You're trying to make me look as though I have something to hide.

Detective Parker: Don't you?

Sofia Church: I had the unfortunate experience of discovering one of my co-workers murdered, and you're treating me as though I'm somehow responsible.

Detective Parker: Are you?

Sofia Church: I won't answer any more of your questions, Detective Parker.

Detective Murphy: Sofia, when people were discussing Annette's alleged actions, did anyone act satisfied?

Sofia Church: Satisfied?

Detective Murphy: As if having the truth out in public justified what happened to Annette.

Sofia Church: Finally, an intelligent question. Unfortunately, I didn't notice anybody acting as you describe. I'm no detective.

Detective Parker: So you'd have us believe that you were oblivious to Annette's shenanigans.

Sofia Church: I had no idea she was up to anything underhanded.

Detective Murphy: Still having the nightmares?

Sofia Church: I only pray the situation improves.

Detective Murphy: How's your husband handling it?

Sofia Church: He's a dear. I'm so blessed to have his love and support through all of this.

Detective Parker: That must be very comforting. I wonder how far your husband's support extends. Would he step in on your behalf to defend your livelihood?

Sofia Church: My husband is not the issue here. He's a good man. You leave him out of this. Why do you keep dragging me in here? I've already told you everything I know. I don't know anything else that might be helpful.

Detective Murphy: You worked with Annette. You discovered her body. How can you not know anything of interest to the investigation?

Sofia Church: I'm done. I don't know what you expect me to say. There's nothing else I can tell you. The next time you want to talk with me, you can talk to my lawyer.

Interview ended – 2:14 p.m.