Sunday, April 29, 2001 - 8:20 a.m.

This witness, who discovered the body, was interviewed at the crime scene on CR 2003. While a short preliminary interview was conducted by the Reporting Officer, J.E. Gamble, a formal interview was conducted by the Reporting Investigators, Det. Sean Gugler and Det.Christine Burgeson, when they arrived on the scene.

SG = Detective S. Gugler

CB = Detective C. Burgeson

KJ = Karen Jenkins

SG: For the record, ma’am, could you please state your name and address?

KJ: My name is Karen Marie Jenkins and I live at 1030 El Monte Ave, Mountain View.

CB: And how old are you?

KJ: Seventeen, ma’am.

SG: You told the first officer that you did not know the victim, Ms. Jenkins?

KJ: Oh, just call me Karen. No sir, I didn’t know her.

SG: Okay, now, we realize you've been through some of the details about finding Ms. Lee with Deputy Gamble, Karen, but I'm afraid we need you to go through it again. You feel up to it?

KJ: Sure, okay.

SG: Would you rather go to the Sheriff's Office to finish this?

KJ: No, sir, it's okay. I suspect moving to a different location isn't going to erase what I saw, is it? Anyway, I'd rather just get it over with because my parents are expecting me at church in a little while.

SG: All right then. Can you tell us how you came to discover Ms. Lee?

KJ: Well, like I was saying, my youth group delivers food to local shut-ins and I was on my way to make a delivery to Mrs. Crowley. She just lives up the road a piece in Los Altos Hills. Anyway, I was driving along, minding my own business and I saw something.

CB: What did you see?

KJ: Well, couldn't make it out at first, just something off to the side of the road. I have to admit I was playing my music pretty loud and probably driving too fast... Guess I wasn't paying real close attention...

CB: It's okay. We don't plan to write you a speeding citation, Karen. What did you see, and when did you see it?

KJ: Yes, ma’am. Well, I just saw something was off to the side of the road and I wondered, "What the heck is that?" Then when I got closer, I thought, "Oh Lord, it's somebody who's hurt." So I pull over and jump out of the car.

SG: Was anyone else around? Had you seen any other vehicles departing or approaching the scene where Ms. Lee was lying?

KJ: No, I didn't see anyone. I don't think anybody else was on the road 'sides me. It's real quiet up here in the morning, especially on Sundays.

SG: Okay, so you got out of the car and then?

KJ: Then I called out as I was coming up to her. "Hey lady, you okay?" But she doesn't say anything and she's not moving. She had blood on her face and her back and was so still. My stomach sunk. I knew she wasn't alive.

CB: How did you know? Did you check her pulse or attempt to revive her?

KJ: I've been deer hunting with my dad. I know when something is dead. It's a stillness in them, you know? But I did check her neck for a pulse. Just in case, you know? I was praying that maybe I was wrong.

SG: Okay. Did you touch the body in any other way?

KJ: Excuse me, sir?

SG: I mean, did you move the body or anything else, touch any of her things?

KJ: Oh no, sir. I know better than to contaminate a crime scene. I really liked Homicide when it was on.  And I watch CSI now.

SG: I see. What did you do once you checked for a pulse on Ms. Lee?

KJ: I jumped back in the car and drove down to Mrs. Crowley's and got on the phone and called 911. Then I came back here, like they told me to. I mean, I would have stayed put and tried to secure the crime scene, you know, for you, but I didn't know if anybody would drive by any time soon, so I thought I should get to a phone first.

CB: We understand and appreciate your conscientiousness. Was there anything else you noticed?

KJ: Well, I noticed her purse and stuff, were like, scattered in the ditch.  And she has… uh, had… an address book with Elvis on it.  I didn’t think anybody really did that anymore…

CB: Okay. Anything else you can tell us about Ms. Lee or anything you saw?

KJ: No ma’am, I think that's everything I know.            

SG: Okay, Karen. Thank you for your help. If we have any further questions, we'll contact you.

KJ: Yes, sir, you're welcome. Hope you catch whoever did this. I really do. And I am at your service anytime, anywhere.

CB: Thank you. We appreciate it. Now, if you'll just step over there so one of the officers can get a set of your fingerprints, then you can head on to church.

End interview 8:33 a.m.