When asked if Smothers’s eyewitness account was accurate, Shaw provided no answer. When asked if she had, in fact, met him previously at a diner, she mumbled. While transcriber has typed this mumble as “illegible,” Vowell noted her words were: “That fucking pervert.”

Note: Smothers is willing to testify. He identified Shaw from a photo ID lineup in less than two seconds. We find him to be credible and of good character.

Based on Smothers’s tip, Detective Haywood proceeded to investigate the identity of a formerly red-haired 16-year-old girl named Sara. A contact in the Social Services office was able to provide him with address and last name. Contact would like to remain anonymous at this time.

On June 7, at 11:35 A.M., Haywood went to the Shaw residence at . He found a girl matching the descriptions provided by Lesage: “Dyed white hair with red roots, around 5’8, pale. “Also matched the description of Smothers: “High forehead, freckles under her eyes, no makeup, tendency to slouch and frown.”

Suspect acknowledged that her name was Sara and she was 16 years old.

However, her demeanor was evasive, and she was alternately shy and hostile. She refused to provide information on the whereabouts of her mother or father. When he asked if they could have a chat, she told him she had “a fever” and he “better stay away.”

She then stated that she was going into her bedroom, and feeling that an interview in the bedroom of a minor female would be improper, Haywood immediately left the premises. He maintained surveillance. At 1:38, the suspect pulled back the curtain of her bedroom window and gave him the finger. That was their only contact until 4:33.

At that time, he received a radio call from Detective CHERYL BARTON. She informed him that on May 28, Shaw attempted to stab a fellow student at Mount Douglas Senior Secondary during an afternoon pep rally.

On June 1, Shaw was found passed out in the bathroom of LE GARDIN restaurant after attempting to vandalize the bathroom. At that time, she was brought to WHITE OAKS Shelter. While there, she informed ELAINE COLLINS that she should not be put in a foster home because she had “violent tendencies, violent urges, violent dreams.”

Detective Haywood was informed by investigation supervisor that he should immediately enter the premises and conduct further questioning and observation. He immediately did so.

Again, Shaw behaved in a suspicious manner and referred repeatedly to her “fever.” At the time, Haywood felt that Shaw was covering up for—and possibly in fear of—Justine K. He encouraged her to tell him if she was innocent. She responded, “Innocent. I am.” But she provided no further information as to what occurred in the Yates Street alley.

Note: Haywood has investigated 44 serious crimes and has not once dealt with a teenage girl. He admits that he was “awkward” and “disturbed” and felt “protective” toward the young girl as she was alone and without any adult supervision. The unusual situation accounts for his failure to record the conversation that took place in the kitchen of the Shaw home. No handwritten notes exist.