Sheri Grady Judd — Polk County 455 N. Broadway » Bartow, FL_ 33830-3998 + Phone: 863.534.6200 - www polksherif org BUREAU OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION HOMICIDE UNIT TO: STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FROM: DETECTIVE BRIGHT CLASSIFICATION: HOMICIDE Attached, please find a copy of the following typed transcriptions taken from the statements of JOSEPH EL] BEARDEN on MARCH 16, 2007. In reference to case number 2007-52355. LEE ANN RIDEQUT transcribed this statement on MAI RCH 22, 2007. This tape statement took approximately 3 HOUR and 45_ MINUTES to type. ik "SIX STAR ACCREDITED AGENCY”Statement of JOSEPH ELI BEARDEN CASE NUMBER 07-52355 HOMICIDE renee annette PCIE PERSON INTERVIEWED: A: JOSEPH ELI BEARDEN LAW ENFORCEMENT: Q: DETECTIVE BRIGHT QN: __ DETECTIVE NAVARO This is Detective Bright with the Polk County Sheriff Office. This interview is being conducted on March the 15, 2007 correction March the 16, 2007 at 0001 hours at the BCI Substation at the Bartow Air Base, Bartow, Florida. In reference to PCSO investigation 2007-52355 homicide that occurred at Morgan Road in Wahneta. Present with me is Detective Ivan Navarro. And state your full name and date of birth? Joseph Eli Bearden... Okay, +: 9/23/85. Q A. Q A Q. Okay Mr. Bearden would you raise your right hand for me please. Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God? A. YesIdo. Q. Mr. Bearden did you come here freely and of your own will tonight? A. Yes sir. Q Okay has anyone here promised you anything in exchange for your statement you're about to give? A. Nosir. Q. And you’re going to give out...out of your willingness to be a witness in this investigation is that correct? (CADecumentr and Seringdb496.ity Documents Transeript\Baarden, Jon $2285.doe Page { of 45Statement of JOSEPH ELI BEARDEN CASE NUMBER 07-52355 HOMICIDE A. Yessir. Q. Alright Mr. Bearden on Tuesday night this week tell me exactly what happened? A. I got...well I was in Wahneta at Silver Star with Pee Wee and C.C. and the other lady at that Citgo or Hungry Howie's or whatever. Well I left there got a ride with a friend of mine in order to get back to Eloise. Q Okay. A. When I got back to Eloise it was about 12:30, 1 o’clock that... that morning Some dude came by and I guess I thought he knew me or I thought I knew him what ever. Q. Do you know his name? A. Yeah his name is Ryan now that know it, Ryan. And he stopped by and he asked me if I needed a ride any where and I told him, “Yeah if you don’t mind.” He goes, “Where to?” I said, “Wahneta.” He asked me if I knew any place to take a... Q. Hold ona second, Where did he stop and ask you if you needed a ride where were you at? A On2™ Street, Q Near? A. Right near the Hilton. Q Near the Hilton and was he driving a car? A Yessir. (CADecument and Stings 62iy Document\TranecnpeBoardex, Joseph 52885 doe Page 2 of 45