Interviewee: Emerson de Castrava
Detective: Melanie Lawrence
Part One of Recorded Interview
Date: October 28th, 2017
LAWRENCE: Please know that this conversation is being recorded. At this time, this is an actual investigation. You have the right to remain silent, as well as the right to a lawyer. Ms. de Castrava, do you want to have a lawyer present?
JOHN DE CASTRAVA: This is ridiculous. My daughter is grieving right now. Serena was Emmy's best friend. She would never have hurt her.
LAWRENCE: Please be silent. The question was for Emerson.
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: I don't have a lawyer.
JOHN DE CASTRAVA: Emerson is innocent! She doesn't need a lawyer. She has nothing to hide.
LAWRENCE: I understand your distress, Mr. de Castrava. However, we do have reason to believe Emerson is involved in Serena Shields' disappearance.
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: Dad?
JOHN DE CASTRAVA: Yeah?
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: Can you just... can you just wait outside?
JOHN DE CASTRAVA: Are you sure?
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: It's going to be fine. (softly) I'm going to be fine.
(Pause while Mr. de Castrava exits room)
LAWRENCE: Emerson, I know you're a good kid. You do well in school, you're involved in sports, you have a good track record. So can you please just tell me what happened?
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: Look... I know you don't believe me, but I didn't hurt her. I would never. I loved her.
LAWRENCE: Loved her.
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: She was my best friend. (sobbing)
LAWRENCE: Emerson, I understand that she was your friend. I understand that you cared about her, and that you're a good kid. But you have to understand that when you kill someone, it doesn't matter who you are. That's the end for you. You're not a child anymore. You're not innocent. It's not a game anymore. You may have once been a sweet young girl, and I'm sure you were, but things are different, and you need to accept that.
(Long pause)
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: Okay, look. Serena and I argued. And I feel bad about it. (voice squeaking) But I would never, ever hurt her.
LAWRENCE: This isn't about your argument. Do I need to explain this to you?
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: Explain what?
LAWRENCE: Why don't I show you a video? (pause, sound of computer starting up and typing) This was taken from a security camera on the Davis property that night. The footage is dark and grainy, but I think you'll recognize it.
(Sound of rustling)
LAWRENCE: Let the record show that the video shows a figure dragging another person.
GIRL'S VOICE: Em! Em, stop!
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: That's Serena.
LAWRENCE: And you, I presume?
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: No. It's not.
LAWRENCE: Does Serena call you Em?
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: Yes.
LAWRENCE: Let the record show that one figure has long, light-colored hair and a voice that matches that of victim Serena Shields. The other figure's hair cannot be seen, but the person in question is wearing a large black hoodie.
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: I wasn't wearing a hoodie.
LAWRENCE: Look, Emerson, it's best for both of us if you don't lie. We found the hoodie at the crime scene. (pause, sound of movement) Let the record show that there is a plain black hoodie in an evidence bag. Inside the tag of this hoodie is the name Emerson de Castrava.
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: What the heck? That's not my hoodie! Can't you fingerprint it?
LAWRENCE: Good you mentioned that. Unfortunately, the only fingerprints identified on the jacket were Serena's own. I believe this is because she was pushing you away from her during the ordeal.
EMERSON DE CASTRAVA: I didn't write that.
LAWRENCE: Then who did?
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The End of Innocence
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