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CNN Live Today

Interview With Roger Massey

Aired December 11, 2003 - 10:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Now a closer look at the case with a man overseeing the investigation, Sheriff Roger Massey of Dewitt County, Illinois is joining us this morning by telephone. Sheriff, are you there?
SHERIFF ROGER MASSEY, DEWITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS: Good morning.

COLLINS: Thanks so much for being with us today. I want to ask you what your impressions are at this very moment with what you have learned in the investigation? I know there was some extensive tests done. Tell us what your thoughts are at this time.

MASSEY: Well we think we're going to be quickly prove that it was not an accident and that it was an intentional act. And we believe we can hold both Amanda Hamm, the mother, and Maurice Lagrone accountable.

COLLINS: Can you talk to us a little bit about those tests to tell us what exactly was done? I know there was quite a recreation.

MASSEY: Well we're referring to it as vehicle testing. But we got the same vehicle that they were in the night the incident. We got it running again and did some extensive testing at the actual ramp where we found the car that night.

The actual results of that testing is still something we're not going to release until trial. But we will confirm that we did extensive testing.

COLLINS: How did you go about doing that? They were on the boat ramp, right? And then there were some tests done with the engine left on, some that were left off?

MASSEY: Yes, we did a lot of vehicle testing. We had divers present. We had mechanics and all of the testing was recorded. So we've got a pretty comprehensive study of the vehicle.

COLLINS: Sheriff, I also know that you have really examined closely the time line of events. In particular, can you talk at all about how much time lapsed between the moment the children went into the water and when that phone call came to you from Maurice Lagrone?

MASSEY: Well that's probably an area we can't get into. We do have that documented. But that is probably something that's going to be an important part of the case. And, again, something we can't release at this point. COLLINS: We also know that you had mentioned in one of the news conferences that you did hold, and, of course, this will come out a little later, anything you can tell us about motive at this time? You had made the comment that people are going to be appalled when this one comes out in court.

MASSEY: Well, I think, you know, we don't want to get into motive right now. We believe we'll be able to show one. But I think that when the people see the totality and the jury sees the totality of this case, they're going to quickly agree with us and hold the people accountable.

COLLINS: Can you talk to us at all about friends and family in all of this? I know that you have spoken and done many, many interviews with friends and family of these individuals. Many of them really surprised?

MASSEY: Well, I think that we've done interviews. We're not going to release exactly what was said, but we will say that the family members and friends have been very cooperative with us during the interview. And we do have a substantial number of interviews.

COLLINS: What about the state of the mind of the suspects at this time? Again, I'm sure you have spoken with them.

MASSEY: Yes, we have spoken with both of them but, again, we're not going to release anything about those interviews.

COLLINS: All right. And, Sheriff, we certainly appreciate your time. I realize this is all going on right now, and we'll be in court next hour. We'll be following the story very closely. Sheriff Roger Massey, thanks again for your time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired December 11, 2003 - 10:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Now a closer look at the case with a man overseeing the investigation, Sheriff Roger Massey of Dewitt County, Illinois is joining us this morning by telephone. Sheriff, are you there?
SHERIFF ROGER MASSEY, DEWITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS: Good morning.

COLLINS: Thanks so much for being with us today. I want to ask you what your impressions are at this very moment with what you have learned in the investigation? I know there was some extensive tests done. Tell us what your thoughts are at this time.

MASSEY: Well we think we're going to be quickly prove that it was not an accident and that it was an intentional act. And we believe we can hold both Amanda Hamm, the mother, and Maurice Lagrone accountable.

COLLINS: Can you talk to us a little bit about those tests to tell us what exactly was done? I know there was quite a recreation.

MASSEY: Well we're referring to it as vehicle testing. But we got the same vehicle that they were in the night the incident. We got it running again and did some extensive testing at the actual ramp where we found the car that night.

The actual results of that testing is still something we're not going to release until trial. But we will confirm that we did extensive testing.

COLLINS: How did you go about doing that? They were on the boat ramp, right? And then there were some tests done with the engine left on, some that were left off?

MASSEY: Yes, we did a lot of vehicle testing. We had divers present. We had mechanics and all of the testing was recorded. So we've got a pretty comprehensive study of the vehicle.

COLLINS: Sheriff, I also know that you have really examined closely the time line of events. In particular, can you talk at all about how much time lapsed between the moment the children went into the water and when that phone call came to you from Maurice Lagrone?

MASSEY: Well that's probably an area we can't get into. We do have that documented. But that is probably something that's going to be an important part of the case. And, again, something we can't release at this point. COLLINS: We also know that you had mentioned in one of the news conferences that you did hold, and, of course, this will come out a little later, anything you can tell us about motive at this time? You had made the comment that people are going to be appalled when this one comes out in court.

MASSEY: Well, I think, you know, we don't want to get into motive right now. We believe we'll be able to show one. But I think that when the people see the totality and the jury sees the totality of this case, they're going to quickly agree with us and hold the people accountable.

COLLINS: Can you talk to us at all about friends and family in all of this? I know that you have spoken and done many, many interviews with friends and family of these individuals. Many of them really surprised?

MASSEY: Well, I think that we've done interviews. We're not going to release exactly what was said, but we will say that the family members and friends have been very cooperative with us during the interview. And we do have a substantial number of interviews.

COLLINS: What about the state of the mind of the suspects at this time? Again, I'm sure you have spoken with them.

MASSEY: Yes, we have spoken with both of them but, again, we're not going to release anything about those interviews.

COLLINS: All right. And, Sheriff, we certainly appreciate your time. I realize this is all going on right now, and we'll be in court next hour. We'll be following the story very closely. Sheriff Roger Massey, thanks again for your time.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com