Wednesday, March 24, 2004 -- 11:04 AM

The witness, Wendy Kullman, is a 34-year-old white female and animal rights activist. This follow up interview was conducted by Detectives Armstrong and Murphy and was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

SM: Before we begin, would you please state your name and address for the record?

WK: My name is Wendy Kullman and my address is 103 Pinecrest Drive.

TA: Thanks for coming down.

WK: You said you needed my help to stop Lamar.

SM: That's right. Before you defaced the Yoknapatawpha County Conference Center on the night of January 30, did you go through the papers in the office?

WK: Wait a minute. Just what are you trying to pull?

TA: We all know you're responsible for the vandalism, Ms. Kullman. We need to determine if you're also responsible for the murder of Barbara Dubois.

WK: You told me you wanted to talk about Lamar. That's why I agreed to come.

SM: We do. But first we need to know if you went through the pageant records.

WK: I'm out of here. If you have any further questions, you can talk to my lawyer.

TA: You remember that private investigator who followed you the week of the pageant? The photographs he took rival the ones Melissa sent you.

WK: Melissa? Let's talk.

TA: Thanks for deciding to stay.

WK: I'm not admitting anything.

SM: We're not asking you to. We just need to know if you went through the pageant records.

WK: There wouldn't be anything of use to the cause in beauty pageant records. Besides, time is of the essence in an attack situation. Or so I've heard.

TA: Did you notice papers laying around?

WK: I refuse to answer that on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

TA: You're not on the stand. Besides, you're already incriminated.

SM: Wendy, we're trying to help. Whatever else happens, you'll be charged for the damage to the convention center, if only for insurance reasons. We don't need your confession for that. The DA, however, wants to bump up the charges from vandalism to domestic terrorism. She's planning a run for Governor one day.

TA: We can't promise anything, but if you assist in a murder investigation, you'll go a long way in convincing the DA to prosecute the lesser charge. Otherwise she'd be damaging your testimony and thus her own case.

SM: Just think about it for a minute. The DA is aware that this will be a very public murder trial.

WK: What do you want to know?

SM: Did you go through the pageant records before you spray-painted the room?

WK: No.

SM: Thank you.

WK: Why is it so important? Or were you just blowing smoke, trying to trick me into taking credit for the attack?

TA: The office was secured at 4:30 that afternoon. At that time, the records were filed away. When we arrived at the scene the next morning, the records were out and covered with spray paint.

WK: So someone went through the records before I arrived. What's the big deal?

SM: The final decision of the judges was among the records.

WK: She told one of other contestants who then killed Barbara Dubois.

TA: She?

WK: Allie Lamar. I saw her leaving the pageant office just before I went in. That's how I was able to gain access to the room. The door was still closing when she turned the corner.

TA: What time was this?

WK: 11:27.

TA: You have a good memory.

WK: I noticed the time. It's important to have your timing down on a raid -- or so I've been told.

TA: We have it on good authority that Mrs. Lamar was in her room at that time.

WK: And I'm telling you she was leaving the pageant HQ with that golden calf in hand.

TA: Huh?

WK: The trophy, Detective, the trophy. She was carrying the damn idol of a trophy.

SM: Where did she go?

WK: Beats me. I had other plans.

SM: Why do you think Allie Lamar would care who won?

WK: Obviously, one of the contestants paid her for the information. Lamar must have just about had a heart attack when Dubois turned up dead. Going to prison as an accessory to murder will put a real crimp in her animal torturing career.

TA: Will you be willing to testify as to what you told us here today?

WK: And nail Allie Lamar? What should I wear to the trial?

TA: The prosecutor will handle those details.

WK: Maybe Lamar is the murderer herself. She kills animals, doesn't she?

SM: As I asked before, why would Lamar care who won?

WK: Right. I guess I'll have to settle for accessory.

SM: Of course, you could have committed the murder yourself, couldn't you? Not a big step from breaking and entering--

WK: Hah! You mean schmoozing a half-soused idiot janitor. But go on.

TA: To taking out the shoo-in winner.

WK: Sorry, Detectives. I was busy that evening.

SM: Doing what?

WK: Oh, very clever. I give you an alibi, I go down for vandalism. I shut up, I go down for murder. Well, vandalism it is. Wanna cuff me now?

TA: There's no need. We know where to find you. But discuss this with anybody and there's no deal, and run and all bets are off.

WK: I'll be right here, pay my fine, and I wouldn't miss this trial for the world. My lips are sealed. Lamar will probably pass the reins to her son Bill. I've talked with him and he seems reasonable. I think he'll support dropping the animal testing.

SM: We wouldn't know.

WK: You said Allie Lamar hired a private detective to follow me? I guess she was right to be worried.

TA: We'll be in touch.

Interview ends -- 11:33 AM