Wednesday, February 4, 2004 --9:45 AM

The witness, Wendy Kullman, is a 34-year-old white female and animal rights activist. The witness was interviewed by Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department Detectives Armstrong and Murphy. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

SM: For the record, would you please state your name and address?

WK: My name is Wendy Kullman and I live at 103 Pinecrest drive.

TA: Do you have any idea why we asked to speak with you today?

WK: I assume you're finally investigating the charges of animal abuse at Lamar Cosmetics.

TA: Actually, we're a little busy with the murder of Barbara Dubois. You must have heard.

WK: I'm sure she was a shining example of human objectification, but people can take care of themselves, make their own choices. It's the animals who desperately need our help.

SM: Did you attend the pageant?

WK: I assume you're joking. Do you know how many animals have died because of beauty pageants?

TA: The bartender at the Yoknapatawpha County Conference Center remembers you being in the lounge Friday night.

WK: Well, yes, I was at the lounge. I felt like a drink.

TA: But you didn't attend the pageant.

WK: I was meeting someone. A married someone. You understand.

SM: I'm afraid I don't. Who did you meet?

WK: It would be better if he remained nameless.

SM: No, it would be better if you answered the question.

WK: I don't know his name.

SM: You drove to the YCCC for a drink and to meet a man whose name you didn't know.

WK: I place these personal ads sometimes. A woman in my position has to be discreet.

SM: So you chose to share a drink in a lounge that happened to be the center of a media spotlight.

WK: That's not how it was. I went to his room, but he didn't answer the door. I must have written down the wrong room number. Then I went to the lounge to cool off.

SM: What room did you visit by mistake?

WK: I'm sorry, but I don't remember. And then when I realized I had the wrong number, I threw out the slip. I think there was a two in it.

SM: How did you get into the hotel?

WK: By walking through the front door.

TA: The desk clerk remembers seeing you, but not seeing you enter or leave.

WK: The desk clerk has a poor memory.

TA: Ms. Kullman, did you hear about the vandalism that occurred that night?

WK: I saw something in the newspaper.

TA: Who do you think could be responsible?

WK: Probably someone from Lamar Cosmetics who decided that the time had come to tell the truth. A conscience can make heroes of us all.

TA: Are you in touch with anyone inside the Lamar organization?

WK: I've received many anonymous tips from Lamar employees over the years. Unfortunately, they are anonymous.

TA: Hurt yourself recently, Ms. Kullman?

WK: No, why?

TA: Just noticed that there's dried blood under your nails. Or maybe that's red paint. Did one of the gloves break?

WK: Paint. I was doing some home repair, Detective. I'm free to paint my lawn furniture, if I so wish.

TA: We know about your purchases before the pageant.

WK: You really should counsel the investigator you hired. I lead her around by the nose. And every citizen is free to purchase what they want. If we can sell cosmetics that come from tortured animals to unsuspecting young women, then we can sell home repair items to anyone who wants them. Although not, it seems, without big brother looking over one's shoulder.

TA: What did you do with those items, Ms. Kullman?

WK: Home repair, Detective. I put them to good use.

SM: Like spray painting your message all over the conference center? How about the hammer? Did you have an intended use for that? Smash a few windows, or maybe the pageant trophy?

TA: Or maybe the head of someone who got in your way?

WK: I resent that, Detective. I didn't hurt anyone, which is more than I can say for Allie Lamar and Lamar cosmetics.

SM: What do you do for a living?

WK: The plight of animals is my life.

SM: I assume that the animals don't pay you a salary. What do you do for money?

WK: My grandfather left me a trust fund, which allows me to concentrate on matters of more importance.

SM: I forgot to check before we talked, but are your fingerprints on file? If not, we'll have to take them today for comparison to those lifted at the vandalism scene.

WK: I have been put through the wringer many times due to my involvement in peaceful demonstrations.

TA: You know, I got to thinking. Wouldn't it be great if one of the finalists delivered a speech denouncing animal abuse by the pageant industry? Let's say you could have convinced Barbara Dubois to take the plunge and stand up for animal rights. That would be very effective publicity for the cause.

WK: It would. It would be especially ironical.

TA: But what if she changed her mind at the last minute? Perhaps the people behind her were afraid she'd lose the pageant if she antagonized the pageant sponsor. That could happen.

WK: If the finalist truly believed, as I do, then the opinions of others wouldn't matter.

SM: What if she didn't truly believe?

WK: There will always be people who are weak. It is up to the rest of us to remain strong.

SM: Did Barbara Dubois change her mind and decide to deliver a different speech than you expected?

WK: I don't know what she decided to talk about. I arrived at the conference center for my date around eleven.

TA: Did you speak with Barbara that night?

WK: I did not.

TA: On other occasions?

WK: I never spoke with the woman.

TA: Were you involved in any way with the vandalism that occurred at the Yoknapatawpha County Conference Center?

WK: I was there to meet someone.

TA: The question requires a "yes" or "no," Ms. Kullman.

WK: I'm not required to answer any question. I'm here out of my own free will.

TA: So you're admitting you defaced the YCCC?

WK: I'm not admitting any such thing. And I saw the pictures in the paper. That was not defacement that was political-social protest.

SM: Did you see Barbara Dubois?

WK: I may have passed her in the halls. My mind was elsewhere.

TA: Did you notice anyone else who could establish your whereabouts during the evening?

WK: I was in the lounge about five minutes before midnight. I left the lounge twenty minutes later, and walked out the front door not more than a minute after that.

TA: That's almost an hour to go to the room, find it was the wrong one, and get back to the lounge. The hotel isn't that big, Ms. Kullman.

WK: It is when you're trying to work up some nerve, then trying to live down some embarrassment.

SM: You've dealt with the police before, Ms. Kullman. You know this doesn't look good.

WK: What looks horrible is an innocent animal blinded by testing cosmetics.

SM: We're trying to help you here, but you have to help us.

WK: I've heard that before.

TA: What size shoes do you wear, Ms. Kullman?

WK: None of your business, but size eight, detective.

SM: Those are flats, aren't they? And all plastic.

WK: No animal products at all. I don't own any made from animal hides. Haven't ever.

SM: But it would also be ironical if the lead contestant died from being struck with an item that symbolized both the sexism of the pageant and the exploitation of animals, wouldn't it?

WK: Certainly would.

TA: Did you attack Barbara Dubois, Ms. Kullman?

WK: I did not.

SM: Did you engage in any struggle with her at all that evening?

WK: I did not.

TA: Do you know who did?

WK: I do not. I've answered that, Detective.

SM: Yet you feel her death is justified?

WK: I've answered that too. Am I under arrest?

TA: No, we just want to talk, that's all.

WK: Am I a suspect?

SM: Let's just say that there are gaps in your story and other issues that make it difficult for us to exclude you.

WK: I see. Then I have nothing more to say.

Interview ends -- 10:29 AM