Tashi Coleman

Thin Air podcast

Episode 8: THE WITNESS

NARRATOR: Here at Thin Air we seldom use unnamed sources. We ask everyone we interview to use their real names in an effort to make them stand behind what is said. However, in cases of a source feeling that harm may come to them, we are able to make exceptions. The woman you are about to hear was a close high school friend of Brandon Taylor. She said she kept in constant contact with Brandon in the weeks and months that proceeded his death.

She also said something else: that she was an eyewitness to his murder.

She spoke to us on the condition of anonymity, fearing that those responsible would try to find her. Even twenty years later. At the time of the killing, she was only fifteen. She said she’s been running ever since. We were the first to speak to her about what happened. This was the second time we met, this time at an interstate rest stop before she made her way to a new city, adopting, she says, a new name.

[CAR DOOR OPENS AND STARTS TO CHIME. DOOR SLAMS.]

WITNESS: This is so hard to talk about.

TASHI: Maybe we can begin with what happened later? Your life since Brandon died? And why you don’t want us to use your name.

[HIGHWAY NOISES. TRUCKS WHOOSHING PAST. KIDS WALKING PAST CAR, LAUGHING.]

WITNESS: OK. [A SIGH.] Sure. I’ve tried to block it out for a long time. I saw a therapist when I lived in Memphis, trying to deal with all the garbage in my life. I had substance abuse issues, tons of toxic relationships, and was trying to get some clarity. It was maybe my third, fourth visit to see him when I started to talk about Brandon. About his death and having to leave Tibbehah.

TASHI: Did people know what you saw?

WITNESS: No. Not even my mother. I swore to myself I’d never tell a soul.

TASHI: So why did you? What made you come forward?

WITNESS: You want me to talk about that now? I thought that part came later, what we did and what we saw? Isn’t that how these things work? You string your listeners along until the whole thing comes together.

TASHI: That comes in editing. But you were the one who wanted this case open? Right?

WITNESS: I reached out to Brandon’s sister, Shaina, about a year ago and told her the family might ask some more questions. I didn’t tell her the whole story, but I gave her enough. And didn’t tell her my name. I didn’t want to be involved. All I hoped for is that these people who killed Brandon would be exposed.

TASHI: Why didn’t you just step forward to the police and tell them what you knew?

WITNESS: Are you kidding?

TASHI: Because you felt threatened?

WITNESS: Two friends of mine died because of what they knew. They were kids and were murdered. One of them dropped into a ten-foot hole and was lost for years. No one even looked for her. No one cared. I was given a gift: I got away alive. Even though it made me leave Tibbehah County and start my life over as a teenager, dancing in nude clubs, hustling. There wasn’t any other way.

TASHI: And you fear these people would still want to do you harm?

WITNESS: Absolutely. You promised not to use my name. Right? You won’t use my name. I can’t have that.

TASHI: I promise.

WITNESS: Have you ever known a damn secret so bad and horrible that just thinking about it scared the hell out of you? Woke you up in the middle of the night, just trying to breathe. I would’ve done anything, and pretty much did, to escape living down in that shithole and getting found out. These people don’t think like you and me. Tibbehah County is a dark, evil place, and I pray to God every damn day that I’ll never have to go back.

TASHI: What if this all leads to a new investigation, a new trial?

WITNESS: I’ll be long gone. After me and you talk right here, you’ll never hear of or see me again. My car is packed with everything that I own. I’ve done it plenty of times before and I’m happy to do it again. That’s how sure I am about what I’m about to tell you.

TASHI: Now? Are you sure?

WITNESS: Let’s go. The light is red. Is that thing still on?