Sunday, February 1, 2004 -- 8:30 AM

The witness, Walbert Dopelson, is a 48-year-old white male and Director of the Yoknapatawpha County Literary Festival. The interview was conducted by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy, and 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?

WD: My name is Walbert Dopelson and I live at 421 Saddle Creek Drive, Oxford, Mississippi.

TA: What's your relationship to the pageant?

WD: As Director of the Yoknapatawpha County Literary Festival, I approved the addition of the pageant to the list of official Festival activities.

SM: Do you now regret that decision?

WD: While the death of Barbara Dubois is an unfortunate tragedy, the pageant itself has had an overwhelmingly positive effect.

SM: Why do you say that?

WD: The pageant has provided a needed shot in the arm, both financially and -- how should I put it -- commercially. I'm also the director of the Yoknapatawpha County Library. Every year for the past five years, we have decreased the amount of space dedicated to shelving units. Book circulations are down and continue to drop. What the library patrons want is free movie rentals, gaming stations, and computers with Internet access. My job is to assess and meet the needs of the community at large.

TA: Did you expect the resulting public outcry?

WD: Dr. Ruffin-Moore's response was a given -- I've known her for years, and I knew she'd take offense. I was quite surprised and disturbed, however, by the apparent actions of animal rights activists. I have only the utmost respect for Allie Lamar and find it hard to believe that she would sanction a policy that bordered on animal abuse.

SM: Did you receive any threats? Anything you might construe as a warning?

WD: Not personally. We did have an incident at the library recently. Much of 646.72 was shelved elsewhere. I can only assume this was a hostile act.

TA: What's 646.72?

WD: Applied science, home economics and family living, personal grooming, cosmetics. You do know the Dewey Decimal System?

TA: Not quite as well as the Mississippi Code. Did you report the incident?

WD: I thought it best not to grant the vandals the publicity. Volunteers searched the stacks and collected the missing books, which were then shelved correctly.

SM: Did you tell Allie Lamar?

WD: Probably not. I wouldn't have wanted to upset her.

TA: Did anyone claim responsibility?

WD: No. Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

TA: Is that Faulkner?

WD: Shakespeare.

TA: Do you have any theories of who besides Shakespeare might have rearranged your stacks?

WD: Lucille comes to mind, of course. She can be quite the card once she has a few glasses of wine inside her.

SM: Did you discuss the matter with her?

WD: No, I did not.

TA: Allie Lamar came to you with the pageant idea. Is that correct?

WD: She thought that the pageant would be good for the festival.

SM: Did you agree from the very beginning?

WD: Allie came bearing checkbook.

TA: Was her contribution significant?

WD: Very. I had the distinct impression that this was not a step taken lightly. Allie appeared, if I may use such a word, desperate.

SM: Is the future of Lamar Cosmetics linked to a successful pageant?

WD: That's not really for me to say.

TA: Let's assume the pageant is considered a failure. You then hear that Lamar Cosmetics has filed for bankruptcy protection. Are you surprised?

WD: Not really.

TA: Mr. Dopelson, do you have any enemies who might want to embarrass you or the Festival?

WD: By committing such a violent act? No, I can't think of anyone. I mean, Lucille was angry with me, but she forgot about it. She forgets about everything. Now, that Kullman woman--

TA: Did she threaten you?

WD: Not directly. She called and asked if our other sponsors knew that Yoknapatawpha County was associating with a company with a record of cruelty to helpless animals. I assured her that I knew of no substantiation of those charges. She assured me she had such substantiation. I told her the Festival was not a platform for making political statements. She replied that before it was over, there would be a definitive statement made.

TA: Weren't you alarmed?

WD: Not really. I'd been told she and her organization were harmless. Now it appears I may have been misinformed.

TA: But you hired Pam Thompson to follow her.

WD: Only at the insistence of Mrs. Lamar.

TA: What did Pam Thompson tell you?

WD: Mrs. Lamar wanted her to keep tabs on Ms. Kullman during the pageant. Unfortunately, she gave Ms. Thompson the slip, as they say, just before the pageant.

TA: So Ms. Kullman knew she was being watched?

WD: I can't say -- although she obviously has had run-ins with law enforcement and other organizations before. She's made a career of her cause, so I don't doubt she's picked up some skills at evading surveillance along the way.

SM: Did you know Barbara Dubois?

WD: I knew of her. She volunteered to read stories in the children's room for a few weeks one summer. I didn't actually interact with her myself.

SM: Can you think of any reason that someone might want Ms. Dubois dead?

WD: It simply staggers the imagination. Given the scarcity of her years, I find it difficult to believe that she could have made such an enemy.

TA: So how did you explain what happened?

WD: Perhaps she was not the intended victim. That was my first thought when I heard the news. If you can believe the mass media, innocent bystanders are killed all the time. I somehow find the idea more palatable.

TA: Tell us about the events of Friday evening.

WD: I really don't have much to tell. About 4:30, Mrs. Lamar and I locked the in the pageant headquarters office. As per protocol, I took the key card.

TA: Protocol?

WD: I'm considered an impartial party, Detective. I held the key card so that no one could have unauthorized access to the contest results, related paperwork, or the trophies. In some contests, Mrs. Lamar informed me, there have been accusations of tampering with the results. Mrs. Lamar wanted to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

SM: So the trophy was locked inside and no one else had access?

WD: I had the only authorized key card. Well, I'm sure the the hotel staff could get in if they needed, to, but they'd have no reason to go there that night.

SM: What did you do then?

WD: I retired to my room and changed for the gala. I then attended the gala. When the function was over, I returned to my room. I caught the late news, then made several phone calls, primarily checking my voicemail for urgent library business.

SM: And you stayed there all night?

WD: Yes. I, uh, rented a movie, the subject of which I would rather not have on the public record. In the morning, Mr. Niwachee called me to inform me of the unfortunate incident.

SM: Just a couple more questions before we wrap up. In February 1997, you were absent from your position at the library for about ten months, is that correct?

WD: A leave of absence, yes.

SM: Could you explain your whereabouts during that time?

WD: I'd rather not, actually. Quite embarrassing.

TA: This is a homicide investigation.

WD: She was 21 and an art student who adored my sculpture. I was foolish. We ran away to San Francisco and cohabitated and lived the lives of bohemian artists -- until she moved on to a swarthy-looking deconstructionist of Lacanian persuasion. I always hated Lacan. Her departure signified the end of my fling. I returned to Oxford and the-powers-that-be were gracious enough to consider the matter closed. I do as well.

SM: Do you see a second annual pageant?

WD: That would depend on the outcome of your investigation and the impact on all involved. I would welcome such an opportunity, but the decision is not mine alone.

TA: We'll be in touch if we have any more questions. Thanks for your time.

WD: You're quite welcome.

Interview ends -- 8:57 AM