Interview 7, 11:05 am
Howard DeGeest, 17, Centerscore Police Precinct
Interrogation Room 4, Detective Cook
DC: Howard, are you aware that anything you say here can be used to prosecute you in a court of law?
HD: Yes.
DC: Okay, let's start here Howard. On a scale of 1-10, how close would you say you and Amanda are?
HD: Maybe a 7.
DC: I see. Care to explain?
HD: Well Amanda and I are friends, of course, but not the kind of friends that hang out together by ourselves and stuff. We usually only hang out in a big group or on double dates and that stuff.
DC: Of course, I understand. So when you went to Amanda's house last Saturday-"
HD: It was because Zoe wanted me to, and because all the guys were there. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone.
DC: So, let's talk about Zoe. How long have you two been dating?
HD: Is this…relevant?
DC: Maybe.
HD: Oh, well um, about a year maybe?
DC: And you two are very close, correct?
HD: Well, yeah.
DC: So when Zoe asks you to do something, you do it, right?
HD: Not always. I try to make her happy to the extent that I can.
DC: Of course you do, Howard. Let me ask you this, would you say you're the type of person who puts other people's needs before your own?
HD: Absolutely.
DC: So, if Zoe wants you to come to Amanda's house, and you were planning to watch that episode of CSI that you taped, it's safe to say you'd make Zoe happy.
HD: That's right.
DC: Would you say it's about the same for your friends?
HD: I try to make my friends happy, yeah.
DC: Have you ever done something to make your friends happy that you weren't proud of? Like, something bad or wrong? Maybe a prank gone too far?
HD:…. Yeah.
DC: Like what?
HD: I don't remember anything particular but I do remember a bunch of pranks on Wilson high that are really hazy now. I knew they were wrong but I went along with the guys.
DC: I see. Well that's all we'll be needing from you, Howard. You can tell your friends these interviews are almost over.
HD: Okay.
DC: And would you mind sending in Maria Gonzalez?
HD: Not a problem.
End of Interview 7, 11:29
Howard DeGeest, 17, Centerscore Police Precinct
Interrogation Room 4, Detective Cook