Barnett, Rhonda Wit

August 30, 2008

Today’s date is August 30th, of 2008, time now is uh, 0955 hours. My name is Detective Terry Jones, my Code Number is 6354. I’m with the Louisville Metro Police Department. This interview pertains to File #08197, it is the death investigation of a PRP player Max Gilpin. Uh, this interview is of Miss Rhonda Barnett. And, we are currently at uh, we’re currently at 5316 Tahia Drive, spelled T-A-H-I-A, Drive. Also, present is uh, Danny Herald, he’s with the uh, security of Jefferson County Board of Education. And, this interview in is of Miss Barnett and it’s being tape recorded.

Jones

Miss Barnett are you aware, are you uh, aware this interview is being taped?

Barnett

Yes.

Jones

Okay, can you identify your full na…, say your full name?

Barnett

Rhonda Barnett.

Jones

Okay. And, your date of birth?

Barnett Jones

Okay. Uh, we talked before going on tape and at this time, would you just kinda elaborate on the (inaudible)…, of events that occurred while attending the Waggener and PRP soccer game on August 20th?

Page 2 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Barnett

Okay. Uhm, I arrived between 5:25 and 5:30 to watch the soccer game. The football practice was going on, on the adjacent field. Uhm, it was really crowded. I found a seat under the shade tree, close to the bleachers. Behind where those football players were practicing. Uhm, 5 to 10 minutes after I arrived, I heard one of the boys yell out to the coach. And, asked if he could stop for a drink of water. Uh, the coach replied, no that you don’t ask me for a drink of water. I’ll tell you, if you need a drink of water I’m the professional. Uhm, and then said something about the fact that he was still sweating. And, so that meant he wasn’t dehydrated yet. Uhm, about 5 minutes after that, my attention was drawn back over to the football players. Because there were 2 boys helping another boy. Uh, a, a tall black male was walking over, having trouble breathing. He was uhm, wheezing really loud. They helped him over to the bench, several of us were turned around watching. To make sure he was okay. They sat him down, let him get a drink of water. Uh, one of the moms of the, she was sittin’ by the soccer field. But, she yelled over to one of the football players. To see if he could get an inhaler. I have an inhaler if he needs it, and uh, the boy went over and asked him. And, he came back and said no, he’s okay, he’s catching his breath. Uh, not long after that my mom arrived. We scooted up closer to the soccer field. And, I was telling her a little about, about what had been happening. When I noticed that the boy that had had trouble breathing, had went back out on the field. The other end of the field and was trying to f…, he’s joining back into the practice. Well, we went on watching the soccer

Page 3 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

game and 5 to 10 minutes after that was when heard the boys yelling. You know on the field, for the coach. And, we turned around and saw 3 boys helping uh, a tall white male. They were trying to help him over to the coach, and he just collapsed. When they were holding him up, he just went down. They carried him over a little closer to the shade. And, when I walked over one of the coaches had him sitting up. He was behind him, holding the ice on the back of his neck. And, his head, his face down by the boy’s face, was talking to him. The other coach was sittin’ on his right side, right by his leg. And, I walked over and asked if he was awake. ‘Cause, they were talking to him. Says is he awake and they said, yes. And, the coach said he just got overheated. I said have you poured water on him, he said yeah. He, he’ll be fine you know, if we pour water on him, he just told me he’s gonna be fine. So, I went back and sat down. We watched for another minute or two, they loaded him onto a trailer. Started rolling him back towards the back of the field. It seemed that they were taking him to wait for an ambulance. Turned back and started watching the soccer game again. Uhm, at halftime, which is about 20 minutes later? My mom noticed they had somebody over at the water fountains. And, she said, is that the same boy? I turned around and I said, yes we both were like, oh my God. He’s still here, they were hosing him down. He did not look responsive to me at all. We were at a distance but his head was laid off to the side. And, he wasn’t moving while they were puttin’ the water on him. There was a woman standing at the side, I’d say was his mom. We’re wondering why the ambulance isn’t there yet? So, everybody’s watching at that point and

Page 4 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

then just a couple of minutes later, the ambulance pulled up. EMS got out and walked over, they were there for a few minutes. I guess assessin’ him, talking to the coach to see what happened. And, then they lifted him off the trailer, at least 3 of ‘em. Put him on the stretcher, took the stretcher to the ambulance. Uhm, by this time 2 boys had helped, the first boy that had trouble breathing, to walk out to the field. So, he’s sitting there and one of the EMT’s came back from the ambulance to talk to him. Of course uh, we’re not hearing anything that’s being said. ‘Cause, it was so far away. And, another few minutes went by, the ambulance was there at least 10 minutes. And, then first truck, the first ambulance, first EMS guy, I guess he was the driver. Came walking over kind of quickly and said something to the other one. They got the boy up, they took him straight to the ambulance. Mom came running over and got in the front of the ambulance. And, they finally left. Jones

Uh, now the time that you arrived you said it was around 5:30, 25, 5:25?

Barnett

5:25 to 5:30.

Jones

Okay. And, uh, you were attending a soccer game uh, on behalf of your daughter?

Barnett

Um-hum.

Jones

Who plays for?

Barnett

PRP.

Jones

She’s a soccer player? And, uh, while there you uhm, overheard a player ask for water. And, a

Page 5 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

coach, you don’t know which coach? Barnett

I don’t know which coach.

Jones

And, can you describe the coach?

Barnett

Stocky uhm, he had on a, a gray tee-shirt, he had on a ball cap.

Jones

Facial hair or anything?

Barnett

No, I don’t know, I really don’t?

Jones

Okay, but.

Barnett

It was very bright that day, the sun was really bright.

Jones

Was he wearing a whistle, you don’t know?

Barnett

I don’t know, I didn’t hear him blow a whistle but, I don’t know.

Jones

Okay. But, he was, he was described as, as a to you as a uh, a coach, but you’re not for sure which coach.

Barnett

I have no idea.

Jones

He could bed an assistant, okay.

Barnett

Yeah, ‘cause there were several of ‘em out there.

Jones

Okay. And, and a player uh, who had been doing running exercises uh, had asked for water, right?

Barnett

Right.

Page 6 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

And, that’s this particular person, may have been the coach told him.

Barnett

Well, he, he called him coach.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

He just yelled coach.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

Can I get a drink of water?

Jones

And, the coach’s response was?

Barnett

Did I tell you you needed a drink of water? You don’t tell me you need a drink of water. We’re the professionals, we will let you know. If you need water or breaks or anything else.

Jones

Okay. And, did the kid continue to conduct exercises?

Barnett

He didn’t stop the whole time; he was still running in place or whatever he was doing.

Jones

Okay.

(Bells ringing)… Barnett

Uh, he was talking to the coach, yeah.

Jones

Okay. And, uh, you said your mom uh, was attending the game with you? And, your mom’s name is?

Barnett

Mary Frazier.

Page 7 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

Mary Frazier, that’s your mom? Okay.

(Bells ringing)… Jones

Uh, you stated that first uh; player you saw was a tall black male who had been experiencing some breathing problems?

Barnett

They brought him over ‘cause he was having trouble breathing.

Jones

Okay. And, someone, you assumed it was his mom, asked him did he need?

Barnett

No, it wasn’t his mom it was another boy’s mom.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

She was sittin’ over by the soccer field and he yelled to her son. And, said does he need an inhaler.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

I have one.

Jones

Okay. And, uhm, how many players did you see uh, actually were involved with these particular, these particular exercises? Were they broken up in groups, was it the whole team?

Barnett

There was different groups.

Jones

Different groups?

Barnett

Yeah, they were in different, they were all d…, and looked like they were all doing different

Page 8 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

things. Jones

Okay. And, how were they dressed?

Barnett

By the time I got there when I saw ‘em, they had on their football pants and no shirts. Uhm, I didn’t see pads, there was a small group off to the, the far side that were still run. They looked like they were running plays. Now, they still had pads and shirts on.

Jones

They had full equipment?

Barnett

That, yeah they were running plays uh, but they were smaller. I think they might’ve been junior.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

Possibly ‘cause they were smaller kids.

Jones

Okay. But, you’re saying that when they, the group that you seen uh, they had no shirts on. Are you describing no jerseys?

Barnett

No shirts, no pads just the pants.

Jones

They were bare…

Barnett

They were bare chested.

Jones

Bare chested.

Barnett

Yeah.

Jones

Okay. And, this was one of the kids who had asked for water, who was bare chested?

Barnett

He was, he was bare chested, yeah.

Page 9 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

Uh, your position uh, as it relates to the players. Uh, they would’ve been behind you, to the side of you, or how far away?

Barnett

When I first got there, before my mom got there, I was sittin’ under the shade tree. So, I was the soccer fields over here. I’m sittin’ like this, football players are here.

Jones

To your right?

Barnett

Yeah.

Jones

As you, as?

Barnett

‘Cause, their right, just a little bit, they’re in front of me but to the, to the right.

Jones

Okay. And, uh, at the end here when the uh, particular, the last player you described. Is he a white male, large built white male? You walked over to the uh, coaches uh, after this kid had collapsed. And, was in your opinion, needing some assistance? You asked coaches.

Barnett

I walked over and asked if he was awake, ‘cause they were talking to him.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

He was, I wanted to make sure he gained consciousness. And, they said he was awake.

Jones

Okay. And, you didn’t identify yourself as a nurse, right?

Barnett

I did not.

Page 10 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

Okay. Let me ask you this, you are a, what’s your profession?

Barnett

I’m a registered nurse.

Jones

Okay. And, you walked over as, as a, a concerned individual, not as a nurse?

Barnett

Right. I walked o…, I’m, I’m sure lots of parents walked to walk over. I just walked over because, if he was still unconscious? Certainly I would’ve wanted to feel a pulse. And, and you know, offer assistance if I could.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

They told me he was awake overheated, he would be fine.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

So, I assumed they knew what they were doing, and I backed off.

Jones

Okay. Danny, you have?

Herald

(Inaudible)…

Jones

Okay. Uhm, and the time frame you’re, you’re talking about is at least 20 minutes before uh, till the kid went down. Until the time that he uh, was carted over to the water?

Barnett

That’s when we noticed.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

That he was still on the field under, and they were hosing him down.

Page 11 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

Did you ever see anyone get any water breaks?

Barnett

Before that, no. Only the boy that had trouble breathing, they sat him down and gave him water.

Jones

Okay. And, uh, but you didn’t see a controlled water break with the entire team, correct?

Barnett

I did not. Now, and these water fountains that they say are running continuously, that’s true.

Jones

Um-hum.

Barnett

They are, the football players are here, soccer fields here. The water’s here.

Jones

Okay. A distance away..

Barnett

Very... Yes.

Jones

Okay. So, at anytime did you see any players attempt to get water and was uh, questioned by the coach?

Barnett

I did not see anybody, it’s just the one that asked for water. I didn’t see anybody attempt.

Jones

Um-hum.

Barnett

To leave and was told, no.

Jones

So, but it, it would be fair to say that your mom may have some things that you did not observe?

Barnett

Yeah (sure)…

Page 12 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

And, just like you seen things that your mom may not have or?

Barnett

Yeah, I’m sure.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

I mean I was there before her, so I saw different things.

Jones

And, again your attention was focusing on the game, on your daughter.

Barnett

Trying to, yeah.

Jones

Trying.

Barnett

Trying to watch the soccer game, but it was, it was distracting.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

(Inaudible)…

Jones

And, uh, you as, as you later learned that a uh, player had died. Did you uh, know if it was the same player had. That had collapsed, the last player that had collapsed?

Barnett

My mom called me that Sunday morning and uh, she said that boy uh, he died. And, we were both just horrified that that had happened. At, that time I didn’t see a picture or anything. But, it said he had collapsed.

Jones

Okay.

Barnett

Wednesday on the field, we knew it had to be him.

Page 13 of 13 Statement: Rhonda Barnett / Case #08197(b) August 30, 2008

Jones

Uhm, and after learning of the death of a player uh, you called someone. Or, you made it known that you had seen something that you felt uncomfortable about, correct?

Barnett

I did, two days later once I was reading the articles in the paper. And, I kept thinking that you know, they would say. Well, he was down, you know, I don’t know, unconscious too long, or maybe uhm. He didn’t drink enough water, but they were saying everything was done properly. They, and, and that’s what bothered me. Because, I didn’t feel like it was.

Jones

(Inaudible)…

Barnett

Too much time went by.

Jones

Yes. Uh, Danny you have any follow up?

Herald

No.

Jones

Okay. Uhm, Miss Barnett I thank you for your time. I don’t think I have anything. Is there something I didn’t ask or anything. Wanna add anything else important that we need to cover?

Barnett

No, I don’t think so..

Jones

Okay. Uh, okay we will conclude the interview with Miss Barnett. Again, this interview was taped, and it will be made part of the file. Uh, time now is 1009 hours.

END OF STATEMENT File #08197bjones-dl