EE-2-k-4a
[Editor’s notes: These are notes from an undated interview – most likely in 1977 – with Renée McMurry. The context is unknown. For ease of reading, the abbreviations have been spelled out.
[The pages below are arranged in sequential order, not in the order as they appear on the PDF.]
Interview one
(Deirdre) Renée McMurry
1-22-61 – age 16
Frankfurt Germany – born
Siblings
Sebastian – 3-2 (age 22)
Carl – 1-15 (age 21)
Teddy – 6-7 (age 19)
Delbert – 9-27 (age 18)
Albert Coarl (age 7)
Mother – Dolores Dupree – 6-5 (age 40)
Father – Albert Carl McMurry – 10-26 ( age 42)
Dad was in army when Renée was born. First Sgt. in Germany (lived there till 1-year-old). Parents separated when she was 3-4 years old.
He is presently in Korea. Never saw much of him, 3 or 4 years
Mom remarried 2 years ago. Lived in East Oakland, Berkeley all life
Heard of PT through great aunt – and attending 2 1/2 years. Thessolinia Myrick died a few years ago
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EE-2-k-4b
Carl then Teddy, Sébastien, then Renée
During the first time attended – JJ cussed – Interested
Mother attends once in a while.
Carl went to the Army and never came back to PT. Still favorable.
Renée stayed because of the activities, more things to do.
Saw Dad 6 mos ago – he doesn’t know much about PT. Thanks she is just attending a church
Mother was undecided about her coming to Guyana – Renée got a check and her mother wanted to get a government job first.
Used to take dope, marijuana, party, on the streets etc. Stopped after joining.
Teddy lived in RWV [Redwood Valley] age 15
Sebastian moved in PT a year ago.
Renée been in PT 2 ½
Stepdad didn’t get along with her. Jealous of the attention her Mom gave her.
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EE-2-k-4f
Sebastian has a child. The mother never attended. He never was with the mother much, just to visit the baby (age 2)
Mom separated from stepdad
He would get mad. Renée would talk privately with her mom. He would argue. He would ask nice when Ted or Sebastian were there. He would get mad at both of them – René & mom.
1975 August 29 in her home a friend was playing with a gun – Mom & stepdad. Charles Joe. Charles accidentally shot, he thought it was empty, clicked it when she was standing by the heater. She was aware of everything. Her mom had to leave the room. Was not expected to live. Bullet with through the neck & out the back. In hospital for 2 months, went via ambulance. Mom went to hospital with her. Was not expected to walk again.
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EE-2-k-4e
Last 6 months has used a crutch. Used to be in a wheelchair. Was tutored after that in the home. Mom was asleep when she was shot. Her stepdad woke her up – called ambulance. Police came, looked at the wall. Police tried to make it seem like it had been a fight over dope, if they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Had to wait 45 minutes in hospital for MD. police questioned her again while she was in the hospital before MD came to her. Try to make her say it was a fight over dope. After surgery, a good friend was in there crying. She went back to sleep, though they wouldn’t let her relatives in. Critical condition – intensive care. Had dreams she was being shot – doped up.
Mom came seldom while she was in the hospital. She said she was doing stuff.
Her dad, Ted, Sebastian visited
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EE-2-k-4d
tried to be lighthearted with her. Told Teddy she was having bad dreams. He brought her J’s picture. The MD came in and told her she wouldn’t walk again. She just stared at him. She could move her arms that they were weak. She was paralyzed waist down but told MD she had to go to the bathroom. JJ came and sat on the bed – next day she tried hard to move her leg. The left one moved. She rang the nurses. They acted like “so what.” She was scared to come to PT. Teddy & Evelyn tried to talk her into coming to PT. Hard to talk because of bullet wound.
She was in balcony – J was cussing. J looked up at her & asked if she had been before she started coming again.
Her mom let her move in
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EE-2-k-4c
to relieve her responsibility. Her Mom saw she was getting around and wanted her to come back – she got supplement check – gave her mom $100.00 and her mom came to PT & saw her give $ to PT and questioned it. She started taking the check and Renée had to move home. Would tell [unknown symbol] she wished she had died and you wouldn’t have my $, told her to keep the check. She wanted to leave.
Teddy was leaving – called the mom to see if Renée could come. She said no.
She tried to get her mom to hate her so she’d want to get rid of her. She go in her mom’s room when she was asleep & rock in the rocking chair. Her mom woke and asked her why she was rocking – she
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