Witness Interview: Mark Walton
Tuesday, January 1, 2002 - 1:35 a.m.

The witness, Mark Walton, was interviewed at crimescene, 1249 Wellington Street, on the arrival of the investigating officers. The interview was conducted by Det. Tremain and Det. Blakely and was recorded on portable tape with witness’s knowledge and consent.

DT = Detective Tremain
QB = Detective Quentin Blakely
MW = Mark Walton, the witness.

DT: Hello Mr. Walton. We understand this could be hard, but we would really appreciate it if you'd talk to us.

MW: No problem. Anything to help.

DT: Would you please state your name and address for the record?

MW: My name is Mark Walton and I live at 1244 Wellington Street.

QB: We understand you were the first to find Mr. Kaminsky's body?

MW: Yes... but I wasn't alone for long. His secretary happened to come by a bit later. She screamed when she saw his body and ran off...

QB: How did you know he was dead?

MW: He shot himself in the head! He must've been dead!

DT: He shot himself?

MW: I was just coming down the hallway when I heard the shot. I could see the door to his study very clearly. No one went in or out. So I figured he must've killed himself.

QB: Throwing a huge party for some important announcement and kill yourself. A bit weird, don't you think?

MW: You think he was murdered? Poor man!

DT: There is some evidence of foul play, yes.

QB: How do you know Mr. Kaminsky?

MW: I wouldn’t really say I know him. He wasn’t the guy for socializing. A loony if you ask me. The few times I did see him, he looked up into the sky with one of those fancy thingies. But still: crazy or not, he didn’t deserve this.

QB: If you didn’t know him, then why were you at his house the night he died?

MW: His secretary told him I’m a licensed fireworks handler. He wanted fireworks for his party, so we closed a deal.

QB: And what were the terms of the deal?

MW: I was supposed to bring the fireworks to the field behind the house. Then I had to hook it all up to the detonator and send everything flying at exactly 12:15 that night.

DT: Exactly 12:15… Why was that?

MW: He’s a perfectionist, I saw it the first time we met. His office was in such a shape that I seriously doubted someone even worked in it.

DT: How many times did you meet with Mr. Kaminsky?

MW: Once, just before I left to set it all up. All the other contacts were over the phone or just walking by each other in the street talking about the weather.

QB: How long did it take to set up everything for Mr. Kaminsky?

MW: Quite some time. Fortunately, I had enough in stock. I started around three, since there was nice weather.

DT: Did Kaminsky contact you afterwards to ask how it had gone?

MW: Yes, as a matter of fact he did. I was eating when he rang. I told him everything was fine and that I would be back around 11:30 pm.

QB: Why 11:30 pm? The show wasn’t until 12:15!

MW: I always have to run some tests for safety beforehand. It’s procedure for all shows.

DT: When did Kaminsky make the call to inform about the work you did that afternoon?

MW: Just before eight, I think. The news was on soon after the call.

DT: Thanks for talking to us Mr. Walton. Please call us if you remember anything else.

MW: I will. Goodbye detectives.

Interview terminated at 1:49 a.m.