Interview with Laura Harris Prutsman
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
OCA# 07008349 (Homicide of Yana Huss) April 25, 2007
Page 1 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
(The following may contain unintelligible or misunderstood words due to the recording quality.)
DD: I'm Detective Davis with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Today's date is April 25th, 2007. The time now is 9:41p.m. This will be in reference to Sheriff's Office case number 07008349, uh, which involves a Homicide of Yana Huss. I'll be taking a sworn taped statement from white female, Laura Harris Prutsman, P-R-U-T-S-M-A-N. Her date of birth is XXXXXXXXXX. She currently resides at XXXXXXXXXX. That's Lake Mary, Florida. And that's Seminole County?
LP: Yes.
DD: 32746. Her home phone number is area code XXXXXXXXXX. Cell phone is XXXXXXXXXX. Um, Laura, prior to going on tape, I asked you if you knew what the meaning of perjury is. Would you explain what it is?
LP: Uh, oh, perjury is lying. Um, knowing -- knowing the truth and telling something different. And -- and doing it, uh, under oath or -
DD: Correct. Lying -- lying can be several ways. Telling an outright lie or leaving out ibts and pieces that may hinder my investigation.
LP: Oh.
DD: Omission. I want you to know if I find that you've knowingly lied to me, you can be charged with that. Do you understand?
LP: Yes.
DD: Okay, Under Florida State -- under Florida State Statute 117.10, I'm empowered to swear you in to take a sworn statement. Will you permit me to do so?
LP: Yes.
Page 2 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Will you raise your right hand for me, please? Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are bout to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
LP: I do.
DD: Okay. You can put your hand down. Um, we're here, uh, actually at your -- your mothers?
LP: Uh, it's my ex-mother-in-law.
DD: Ex-mother-in-law's residence in Seminole County. And it's 950 1st Place, in regards to, um, your ex-husband, Scott Lee Huss, who is a suspect in a Homicide that occurred in Charlotte County. Um, we have currently driven up here to speak with the family because, apparently, Scott had dropped off Yana's son, Peter, at this residence. Um, if you would -- you know Scott. You were married to him how long ago?
LP: Uh, '77 to, uh, eight, nine -- eight, one, two, three, four -- April -- approximately 1985. I couldn't tell you the exact, but --
DD: Okay.
LP: -- um, but we were married. Our divorce became final, I believe, January of '85.
DD: Okay.
LP: Uh, so we weren't actually together until then, but --
DD: All right. And you've -- you've, uh, you have two children.
LP: From that marriage --
DD: Uh-huh.
LP: -- I have three children.
DD: Okay.
LP: We went to high school together. We were high school sweethearts.
DD: Okay. How long you -- uh, how long have you lived down here in Florida?
LP: Uh, since I was, uh, 12.
Page 3 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: And where did you meet Scott?
LP: At DeLand High School. He was a year ahead of me when I met him, uh, through a friend --
DD: Okay.
LP: -- while at school.
DD: Uh, when you married him, how old were you?
LP: Eighteen.
DD: Okay. Did he go into the military?
LP: He was in the military and, um, he came home during technical training -- the break between boot camp and technical training. And we got married. And I went up to Texas with him. We lived in Austin, Texas for four years.
DD: Okay. And what branch of the military?
LP: He was in the Air Force.
DD: Okay.
LP: At Bergstrom Air Force Base.
DD: All right. Um, was that the only part of the branch he was in when you were married to him --
LP: Yes.
DD: -- was the Air Force that you were aware of?
LP: Yes.
DD: Okay. Are you aware of any other branches that he's been in since then?
LP: Only of what he -- uh, hearsay.
DD: Okay.
LP: I don't know of anything positive, but, um, I understood that he was in the National Guard.
Page 4 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Okay.
LP: Okay? Um, but that's just --
DD: All right. So he may be in the National Guard now, or the Army Reserve --
LP: Uh, right.
DD: -- possibly?
LP: And I don't really know.
DD: Okay. All right. Um, what I'm gonna do is kind of start off with today -- uh, this morning. I'm gonna kind of have you start. And what happened? You woke up -- and up until --
LP: Okay.
DD: -- you found out about all of this.
LP: Okay. Um, well, I watch my son's baby on Wednesdays. I - work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. And on Wednesdays -- when we had him, I say, you know, I would watch him on Wednesday. So, uh, Riley came at approximately 8:30 this morning. Um, you know, I played with him. Fed him. Put him to bed for his nap. When he got up, I met my daughter, Danielle, and Jeremy at -- Jeremy was home today. Um, he, uh -- the work -- he does cabinetry, and, I guess, today they didn't have much going. Tomorrow he's slammed. But, anyhow, we met at Altamonte Mall and had lunch. Um, we walked around the mall. And then he had to leave. And I was --
DD: And who's "he?" Jeremy?
LP: Jeremy.
DD: Okay.
LP: Uh, and, uh, Danielle and I took the kids to a little playground area there for a little bit. And then she left, 'cause the baby was getting fussy. And Riley and I stayed maybe another hour. And I was on my way home --
DD: About what time?
LP: Um, maybe 2:30 or 3. And I can't even tell you positively.
Page 5 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Okay.
LP: I'm not really sure. Uh, somewhere in that range. Um, I was on my way home. In fact, I was -- I had just pulled onto my street - and my house is the second house in -- when Danielle called and asked me where I was. I told her I was almost home. And she said, "Mom, something really bad has happened." And I said, "what? What's happened?" And she said that, um -- I'm trying to think. I think Jeremy called her. Or -- I'm sorry.
DD: NO, that's okay.
LP: There's just been so much --
DD: Yeah --
LP: -- that's happened today.
DD: -- that -- That's understandable.
LP: I think she said Jeremy called her and told her that, um, Peter was dropped off at Grandma Huss' house, covered in blood. And that -- and I said, "Is he okay?" And she said, "Yes, he's fine. Uh, and Peter said that a friend of Scott's brought him. And that a black guy broke into their house and, uh, hurt Yana." I think that's what she told me the first time. Because I don't think we knew -- we didn't know anything at that point.
DD: Okay. Do you --
LP: And --
DD: -- do you know Peter's last name?
LP: Uh, no.
DD: Okay. But Peter --
LP: I -- I --
DD: -- is Yana's son?
LP: Son, right, And I've only seen him one other time.
DD: Okay.
Page 6 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: And he was -- this was probably three years ago.
DD: Okay.
LP: It was at, um, Danielle's oldest child's birthday party. And Scott and Yana came out and, I believe, that was, uh, very early on. I'm not even sure they were married --
DD: Okay.
LP: -- at that point. I honestly don't know for sure. Um, it was the first time I had met her. The only time I had met her. Um, and didn't have really any interaction with her at all. Just introduced to her. And then she went out and was playing with Peter, so --
DD: Okay.
LP: Um, but, anyhow, when Danielle told me that, and I said, "Okay, I'm gonna turn around. I'm coming right over to your house." So I backed out and, like -- 'cause Danielle lives five minutes from me.
DD: Okay.
LP: I'm at one end of Country Club. She's on the other end.
DD: Okay.
LP: And, uh, Lake Mary Boulevard is between us. So, um, when I got there -- and she -- I think -- and, you know, I could be wrong. James may have called her and told her.
DD: Okay.
LP: And I honestly can't remember.
DD: Oh, the -- that --
LP: Okay?
DD: -- that's understandable.
LP: Okay. Um, then she told me that she had called Kelly, which is James' mom, to come and -- cause they have four children. So she only has one of them with her. To come and get the kids. So we just kind of waited until then. And I called my husband to come and get Riley to take him back to the house, "cause I said I need to come over here with the kids. Um, obviously, they have not had much of a relationship with him. And Danielle hasn't for a good couple years. But it is their biological father --
Page 7 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Uh-huh.
LP: -- and I know they would be distraught, even though -- I mean, it's -- I mean, I haven't been involved with him for 22 years, and I -- the emotions are just unreal. Um, and then we got here. And then just all this information -- this overload of information. You know? There was a letter. And there's some really bad stuff in the letter. And some very detailed stuff in the letter. And -- and I didn't see the letter.
DD: Okay.
LP: This is just what, um --
DD: You were told?
LP: -- I was told.
DD: Okay.
LP: Um, and there's just --well, uh, you know -- I mean, I --
DD: Well let - let -- let's say, when you got here, did you speak with Scott's mother?
LP: Yeah.
DD: Did she tell you what --
LP: Um - uh --
DD: -- she had spoken to Scott or anything like that?
LP: When I finally went into the house -- I stood out here and talked to James and Jeremy for, uh, you know, several minutes before I went into the house. And they kind of were just updating us. And then when I went into the house, uh, Joyce -- she wasn't on the phone. She had just gotten off the phone. Scott had called her. And then a few minute later, he had called her back. And gave her - she was writing down something. And I didn't really even see what it was, 'cause I was think I was holding the baby at the time. but, um, and -- and she, just like everybody else, kind of - although I -- I think she's being a lot more protective than -- I don't know. I mean, a mother, you -- I mean --
DD: Yeah, of course.
Page 8 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: -- it's a different -- it's a different, um -- and this was -- at some point, uh, within, uh -- uh, 30 minutes to an hour of being here, Peter started talking. And he was sitting on the couch. And, I think, he was starting to get comfortable with us. Because I can't imagine that he remembers any of this.
DD: Now when you got here, was law enforcement here?
LP: Oh, yeah -- yeah.
DD: Okay.
LP: There were multiple cars --
DD: All right.
LP: - (unintelligible). And --
DD: So you --
LP: -- there wasn't anybody in the house with her when I walked in. Mike was in there.
DD: Okay.
LP: That's Scott's oldest brother.
DD: Now did you hear Peter say anything?
LP: Yeah, he said, um -- he said, um -- I'm trying to think. The first thing he said was, "I didn't" -- oh, he started talking after the, um --there was -- a female officer took Peter off to talk to him -- and when they came back in. So it was probably a little longer than what I originally said. Um, because he sat on the couch. He was on the couch when I got in, but he was just kind of watching TV. Didn't seem upset at all.
DD: Okay.
LP: Just kind of matter of fact. But, after she talked to him, he -- he said something about, um, "He -- he -- he made me -- he made me say that that happened, but he's the one that brought me. And -- and I -- I lied because I'm afraid of him. And I was afraid he'd hurt me like he did my mom."
DD: "Him" being Scott Huss?
LP: Scott.
Page 9 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Okay.
LP: Meaning Scott Huss. And he said, "You know, I really don't like him. Actually, I hated him."
DD: Okay.
LP: You know? And that's -- and that's all that was said. He didn't, um, elaborate beyond that. And then James went over and was sitting down. And trying to kind of distract him from that. You know? "What kind of things do you like to do?" And they started having a conversation. And I just started talking to Joyce and Mike and -- because this is just all, you know -- you -- something you see on TV. You don't think is gonna happen. Although, I gotta say, Scott -- and he -- he has a violence tendency, because that's one of the reasons that I divorced him. He did -- he was abusive to me.
DD: Okay.
LP: Um, so when I heard, back and forth, the times that she had, um, called the authorities on him for abuse, and the kids were, you know -- I don't know. And Joyce certainly didn't believe it. In my heart, I believed that it was, 'cause I -- 'cause he did it to me.
DD: Okay.
LP: I don't believe that I was exclusive to that behavior. And it was always when he was drinking. Always.
DD: Okay.
LP: And --
DD: So he was physically abusive with you?
LP: Yes, he was.
DD: Okay.
LP: He -- he actually broke my nose when I was eight months pregnant with Jeremy.
DD: Okay.
LP: Um, and I didn't tell anybody. My parents didn't even know about that, um, until we were -- well, two, three years of -- of being divorced. And, uh, I can't really tell you why I never told anybody. It just -- I think I was ashamed.
Page 10 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Okay.
LP: I -- I --
DD. That's understandable.
LP: Um, I never called the police on him. It was always every -- I mean, it wasn't something that went on for hours.
DD: Yeah.
LP: It was a blowup. And, you know -- and then -- and then he was always sorry. You know?
DD: Okay.
LP: Um, I've had contact with him only through the bringing children, mainly. Um, the first -- Jaden's first two or three -- probably three birthdays, um, Scott was at Jaden's birthday parties. And that was when the kids lived -- well probably the first two birthday parties, they lived in Tampa, 'cause my son-in-law went to law school at Stetson down there. Um, and then I saw him - he came to my house, uh, when Jaden was born. He has been to my house two or -- not the house I'm in now, 'cause we just moved there, but when I lived in Taylor Point. That was years, um --
DD: Well how -- how long -- how long has it actually been since you've probably spoken with Scott Huss? I mean --
LP: Oh, probably three years maybe.
DD: Okay.
LP: I'm -- I -- I'm -- it was Jaden's birthday party is the last time I've talk to him.
DD: Okay.
LP: And that was when -- that was like his -- (Unintelligible) wasn't even born yet.
DD: Okay.
LP: Okay? So -- or if she was, she was just an infant. So it's been a long time.
DD: Okay.
Page 11 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: She's five. So, I guess, maybe five years.
DD: In -- in regard -- in regards to this, um --uh, you know, he's -- he's --
LP: I -- I --
DD: I'm sorry.
LP: Uh, go ahead. I -- I was just thinking. I -- I hear about him, 'cause the kids, you know, they don't talk about him a lot. And Danielle pretty much didn't want to even think about him, but recently, I mean, the last two times he's been arrested, they've talked about it.
DD: Okay.
LP: You know? So that's -- so I have talked about him with them and stuff, but only relating to those instances.
DD: And how -how would they know if he was arrested? Through his mother?
LP: Through his mother.
DD: Okay. Mother would talk to them and let them know? Okay.
LP: Right.
DD: All right.
LP: And she went down there, um, a -- a week and a half ago, or two weeks ago, whatever. Right after the last time, to help him find an apartment or someplace to live.
DD: Okay.
LP: And I found that out just a few days ago in one of the conversations talking about him.
DD: Okay. And with -- with -- with all this has happened, I mean, uh, does this surprise you that he -- do you -- would you think he would be capable of actually killing somebody?
LP: You know, I -- I was talking -- Jeremy and I were talking about this, and I'd like to say yes, but, uh, I think deep down for a number of years I always had this feeling inside me that something bad was really gonna happen relating to Scott.
DD: Okay.
Page 12 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: Um, so, uh, I guess, maybe, I'm not real, real surprised. I mean, it's awful. It's tragic. But, um, I mean, he's a very disturbed person. And has been for a very long time. I didn't know that when I met him. Um, I didn't see that until, uh, you know, we were probably a year into our marriage or so.
DD: Okay. In -- in regards to all of this has happened, is there - I mean, is there anything that you -- you feel and -- and, you know, I haven't asked or that I should know? Anything that you feel is - relevant? Uh, your opinion. Anything.
LP: I -- I don't know of anything that's relevant. Um, but I can tell you that he -- you know, he's -- he has a drinking problem. And he has for a long as I've know him. Um, even in high school. Even though when you're in high school and it's at parties, you think of it in a different aspect. And it's not --
DD: Uh-huh.
LP: -- you know, when you're -- so, I guess, I didn't know he had a drinking problem then, but, in hindsight, looking back, he did. Um, but he's done some -- seems like everything that he's gotten in trouble for or done or whatever, has always been involved with that. Um, when I was -- he was dating a girl -- her name -- the first name was Juanita, and I don't know -- couldn't tell you what her last name was -- when I was pregnant with my last child. And I remember her -- no, it was before I was pregnant with her. But I remember her calling me and asking me why I divorced Scott. And -- and I said, "Well" -- 'cause I -- I just wasn't one to go around and --
DD: Uh-huh.
LP: -- badmouth him. And -- and I -- and my children, I didn't badmouth him to them.
DD: Yeah.
LP: -- um, through all of this stuff, recently, I've talked more about his violent natures, but it just didn't seem to serve any purpose. Um, but she asked me why I divorced him, 'cause she said he seemed like a nice enough person. "Why?" And I said, "Well, let me ask you, is he drinking?" And she said, "Yeah, sometimes a lot." And I said, "Well, if he's drinking, then you know, you probably, um, need to be concerned. If he's not, he's a nice guy." I mean, everybody liked him --
DD: Uh-huh.
LP: -- when he is sober.
DD. Yeah.
Page 13 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: And when, you know -- until he had, uh, burned those bridges. Um, but she had some concern. And I don't know why, uh, Ellen - you know, they probably like anything else. But, um -- uh, that always stuck in my mind, because she just seemed like a really sweet girl. And she was calling the ex-wife, you know?
DD: Yeah.
LP: Asking me stuff. So I don't think that's really relative, but it's just something I thought of.
DD. All right.
LP: Um, I know he's had a lot of -- he's gotten fired from a lot of jobs. And he's had a lot of -- a lot of problems down in Port Charlotte. Um, I sent -- this -- I don't know if this is relevant either, but my son has, uh, had some trouble himself. Not anything like this, but, um -- and when he was a teenager -- 'cause I just felt like my -- I didn't know what to do. Jeremy was hanging around kids that were trouble. And I knew -- and I couldn't stop him. And he ran away from home a couple of times. And I didn't know what to do. And I knew if he stayed around, he would end up dead or in jail with these kids. And, in fact, these kids, one ended up dead, and one is -- ended up in jail.
DD: Okay.
LP: So I called Scott. And it was the last thing I wanted to do, but I needed him out of town.
DD: Uh-huh.
LP: And, uh, Scott came and got him. And Jeremy was back and forth between us for a couple of years. Um, but he ended up alienating Jeremy in some form down there just with some of the stuff, you know? Uh, and Jeremy can -- uh, will have to be the one --
DD: Yeah.
LP: -- to tell you about that. Um --
DD: Well, and -- when --when you -- we'll get back to -- when you came here --
LP: Uh-huh.
DD: -- did, uh -- did you happen to see any of the blood on Peter's shirt?
LP: No -- no.
Page 14 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: Uh, they had already taken all of that --
LP: He --
DD: -- and --
LP: Yeah, he was -- I didn't see anything.
DD: Okay. So you kind of got here kind of after the fact?
LP: Right.
DD: And was told by --
LP: I saw his shoes only. When they were getting read to take him, um, he wanted his new shoes. And I -- was helping him look. And I picked up and he said, "No, those are the shoes I had on. Grandma bought me new shoes." So that's the only thing. And I don't even know if there's any blood on those shoes.
DD: Okay.
LP: But they were the shoes he came in.
DD: Came over in.
LP: And they're in there.
DD: Okay.
LP: Okay? Um, but, no, he was -- looked -- he was clean in clothes just sitting on the couch.
DD: Okay.
LP: So, um -- and, like I said, seemed -- for all of the stuff that we now know -- or are hearing that's happened, he was extremely, uh --
DD: Kids have a different way of taking in everything.
LP: I --
DD: And, um, it probably -- it kind of like surreal to you. It's -- it's probably the same. It -- it's probably hasn't set in on him yet. And that's probably, uh, why he's acting the way he is.
Page 15 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: Right.
DD: So, it's --
LP: It's -- I figured he was in a shock or something.
DD: Yeah.
LP: You know?
DD: It's -- it's -- and, you gotta figure, he rode all the way up here with Scott, so --
LP: Telling him what to --
DD: Exactly --
LP: -- say, and --
DD: -- exactly.
LP: -- you know?
DD: So he's probably not quite, you know, there yet.
LP: Right.
DD: But, uh --
LP: Well he's obviously, uh, terrified of him.
DD: Yeah, and --
LP: Um -
DD: -- he's -- he's made that -- as well as, uh, as you all know, he's made that perfectly clear.
LP: Right.
DD: So he's afraid Scott's gonna come back and kill him.
LP: Right.
Page 16 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
DD: So --
LP: Exactly.
DDP Um, okay. Um, again, uh, is - is there anything --
LP: Um --
DD: -- that you can think of that I haven't asked that you feel is --
LP: I can't really think of anything offhand. Um, I'm sure there must be, but I really can't think of anything.
DD: Well and we'll leave you our card. And if anything does come up, by all means, you know --
LP: Okay.
DD: -- you contact us, and we'll jump right on that. That's not a problem, so --
LP: Okay.
DD: Okay, Um, in regards to this statement you have just given, uh, has it been true to the best of your knowledge?
LP: Yes.
DD: Anything you wish to add, change, or delete?
LP: No, but don't hold me to the times of --
DD: No -- No --
LP: -- the days that I've --
DD: -- not -- not at all.
LP: -- given you, 'cause I, uh, you know, I --
DD: No.
LP: -- could be totally off on some of those.
DD: That -- that
Page 17 of 17
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Interview of Laura Harris Prutsman
OCA# 07008349 April 25, 2007
DD: Detective Davis
LP: Laura Harris Prutsman
LP: Because --
DD: -- and that's understandable, yeah.
LP: Okay.
DD: That's -- especially with everything that's going on. Okay.
LP: All right.
DD: Um, if you don't have anything else at this time, I'll conclude this statement. Uh, the time now is 10:05 p.m. It's the same date. I'm Detective Davis with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.