Entwistle on killing family: 'I couldn't do that.'

By Globe Staff

Neil Entwistle denied killing his wife and infant daughter during a two-hour telephone conversation on Jan. 23, 2006 with Sergeant Robert Manning of the State Police. A recording of the call was played today during Entwistle's double-murder trial in Middlesex Superior Court.

The following is a partial transcript that picks up after Entwistle described finding the bodies of his wife, Rachel, 27, and 9-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose:

Manning: "Was there any kind of situation that took place at the house that caused you to immediately instead of calling the police want to kill yourself?"

Entwistle: "God, No. No."

Manning: "You sure?"

Entwistle: "I mean. I would--"

Manning: "I'm not saying you did anything. I'm just asking. I'm just trying to rule out all possibilities of what could have taken place there. I'm not saying you did anything. I'm asking you --"

Entwistle: "No, I mean. (sigh) No, of course. (sigh) No--"

Manning: "Are you sure?"

Entwistle: "Yeah, because--"

Manning: "Because why?"

Entwistle: "Well, just (sigh) or course, that (sigh) why" Entwistle stammered. "I couldn't do that. Why would I do that?"

Manning "I don't know. Could be a million reasons. Could be no reasons, I don't know. I'm not saying you did it, I'm just asking if a situation took place that was out of character for you and your wife and this situation happened."

Entwistle: "No, no, nothing. It was just a normal, it was just a normal day.

Manning: "It was just a normal day."

Entwistle: "Yeah."

Manning: "But very tragic."

Entwistle: "Yeah, but (sigh) it was just a normal, it was just a normal day."

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