Page 79

DOI: 25 DECEMBER 1999

[TRANSCRIPT - CONT'D]

[Marr]

Okay, let’s circle back for a minute. Kim and Susan were in the hall?

[Ruta]

Yes.

[Marr]

Were you aware that possible suspects were in the bedroom when you entered?

[Ruta]

Yes. That’s why I raised my weapon.

[Marr]

Can you please describe what you saw when you entered the room?

[Ruta]

[unintelligible]

[Marr]

Look, this isn’t a witch hunt, I’m not after your badge. I’m not trying to sandbag you into taking any heat for this. But nobody seems to be able to give me any straight answers on what happened in there. Half the people involved aren’t giving me any answers at all. I can’t help you if I don’t know what went down.

[Ruta]

It was a tiny room, Shailene, with a lot of people in it. And a dead body.

[Marr]

Let’s start there, then. The dead body.

[Ruta]

When I first saw it, I couldn’t have told you whether it was male or female. Too much blood, head was bashed in like… [throat clearing]

[Marr]

It’s okay, Jay. I saw the photos.

[Ruta]

Right. So. Yeah. Blood everywhere. All over the bed, up the walls. Everyone was covered in it…

[Marr]

Who did you notice first? That was covered in blood?

[Ruta]

I need a smoke break.

[Marr]

You know what, Jay, I think I might join you.

[Ruta]

I thought you quit.

[Marr]

Not tonight, I didn’t.