Friday, January, 22, 2010 - 1:20 p.m.

After taking statements from other witnesses, the detectives leading the Devlin Beauchamp murder investigation determined that Ms. Webster should be further questioned regarding the Mr. Beauchamp's death. Ms. Webster came in voluntarily in response to the detectives' request for an interview. Ms. Webster was questioned at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office by Detective Ted Armstrong.

Detective Ted Armstrong
Mickie Webster

Detective Ted Armstrong: Would you please state your full name and address for the record please?

Mickie Webster: Michelle Kathleen Webster, 1011 Benbow Circle, Oxford.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Webster, there are a few additional questions we want to ask you concerning Mr. Devlin Beauchamp.

Mickie Webster: Of course, ask anything you like. I really want to help. Dev would've liked that.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Excuse me, but you look different. Did you cut your hair or something?

Mickie Webster: A little. And ....I shouldn't admit this because we girls just aren't supposed to...but I also went a bit blonder - actually blonde- a week or so ago.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Any particular reason?

Mickie Webster: Needed a change. Surely you didn't ask me down here to discuss my fashion choices?

Detective Ted Armstrong: No ma'am. I have a few questions about your relationship with Mr. Beauchamp. Your personal relationship.

Mickie Webster: I told you, we were just friends.

Detective Ted Armstrong: I wanted to discuss the time when you were more than friends, Ms. Webster. When did you begin to see Mr. Beauchamp socially?

Mickie Webster: About a year ago, January of 2009.

Detective Ted Armstrong: How did you meet?

Mickie Webster: I worked for him. I had worked there a couple of months. We got along really well. We just had a lot of fun, you know? And I always got his jokes. We connected, you know what I mean?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Oh sure I do. And after a couple of months he just asked you out?

Mickie Webster: Well, we all went out - a bunch of us from the restaurant - I think we were celebrating somebody's birthday...can't remember whose... Anyway, I guess I got a little drunk. Actually a lot drunk. And I got sick and all that disgusting stuff you really don't want to do in front of somebody you want to impress...

Detective Ted Armstrong: You wanted to impress Mr. Beauchamp?

Mickie Webster: I guess I did. Anyway, he just took care of me. I really didn't remember much. But next thing I knew, I woke up in his bed. Now, don't get the wrong idea - he was perfect gentleman - he was sleeping on the floor next to the bed, holding my hand. I guess that's when I really fell for him. After that, we just were together. Seemed the natural thing to do.

Detective Ted Armstrong: And during the relationship were there any conflicts?

Mickie Webster: Conflicts?

Detective Ted Armstrong: You were also his employee. Did anyone feel you received special treatment, etc.? That sort of thing?

Mickie Webster: Well at first we tried to just keep it to ourselves, but eventually everyone did know. There was a little rumbling when I was made Head Waitress - but nothing serious.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Rumbling?

Mickie Webster: Oh, Millie didn't think it was fair. So we both sat down and talked to her and asked her if she wanted to devote the time and energy and take the extra responsibility. Once she got the full picture, turned out she really wasn't interested in the job. You see what I mean?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Yeah, I get it. So, you had this ideal relationship until... what? What brought about the break up?

Mickie Webster: Oh Detective, I didn't say it was ideal. We had our tiffs and disagreements like any couple... But yes, it was a good relationship.

Detective Ted Armstrong: But it ended nonetheless?

Mickie Webster: It wasn't an easy decision, for either one of us. But I think it was the right one.

Detective Ted Armstrong: What was the trouble?

Mickie Webster: The usual... I wanted more of a commitment and Dev just couldn't give that. He wasn't built that way.

Detective Ted Armstrong: You wanted to get married. Is that what you mean, ma'am?

Mickie Webster: Yes, that is what I mean. Once you broach the subject of marriage and it doesn't find an agreement between you, things are just never the same, are they?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Couldn’t say, ma'am. I've been married to the only girl I ever proposed to for the last 30 years.

Mickie Webster: Congratulations. Sadly most of us aren't as lucky as you, Detective.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Apparently not. So, it just ended?

Mickie Webster: Well, there was a lot of talking and tears, and negotiating, but yes, it did end.

Detective Ted Armstrong: And when was that?

Mickie Webster: August 28, 2009.

Detective Ted Armstrong: You seem very sure of the date.

Mickie Webster: Final game for the softball league - before the playoffs. I was the pinch hitter. We won the game and I lost Dev.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Okay. So, what about after that? Working together a problem?

Mickie Webster: I think I took a couple weeks off from work - needed to think things out. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep working there, but he convinced me that it would be okay. He wanted me to stay on - and I am good at my job. So, I decided I could tough it out.

Detective Ted Armstrong: And did you? Tough it out?

Mickie Webster: We both did. It was hard the first few weeks, then things just smoothed out and everything was good. We were friends and it was all okay.

Detective Ted Armstrong: So your break up with Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to do with his involvement with Kat Dixon?

Mickie Webster: Kat Dixon? Dev never had a relationship with her. Not that she wouldn't have loved that.

Detective Ted Armstrong: You’re certain he never had any intimate contact with Ms. Dixon?

Mickie Webster: Well, if he had, I doubt she would have been coming to me to ask for advice on how to "snag" him. Right? Asked a lot of questions, some pretty personal too.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Such as what?

Mickie Webster: Such as what he liked in bed and when he liked to have sex and where... That is one audacious girl!

Detective Ted Armstrong: And you refused to answer these questions?

Mickie Webster: I don't kiss and tell. Not my style.

Detective Ted Armstrong: I see. How about other women? Mr. Beauchamp was popular with women in general, isn't that correct?

Mickie Webster: Yes it was.

Detective Ted Armstrong: What about Natalie Paster or Poster?

Mickie Webster: Who?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Apparently a past relationship, someone who was possibly stalking Mr. Beauchamp?

Mickie Webster: That just gives me the chills. Dev was being stalked?

Detective Ted Armstrong: We think that is a real possibility, yes.

Mickie Webster: Well, he never told me about it. Sorry don't know anything about Dev and any other women. I didn't really want to know. You understand?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Yes, ma'am, I do. Did you have any reason to believe anyone would want to harm Mr. Beauchamp?

Mickie Webster: I knew he and Carl were feuding again.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Feuding?

Mickie Webster: I think Dev was looking into some "deals" that perhaps didn't include Carl, or at least there wasn't a 50/50 split involved.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Franchising deals?

Mickie Webster: Something like that. Nothing solid, as far as I knew. But he was getting offers. And also Carl imagined Dev had a thing for Kat, which he absolutely did not, but it made Carl jumpy and funny.

Detective Ted Armstrong: How so?

Mickie Webster: I don't know - Carl is normally pretty easy going. The few weeks before Dev died, Carl always looked on the hunt - looking over his shoulder. And he was obsessed with knowing where Kat was - as if he doesn't dog her enough. Now that is something I feel sorry for her about. Her daddy just can't leave her be for a second.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Carl ever tell you what he was upset about?

Mickie Webster: No. He just talked in circles, about the old days and how things are better if you leave them be sometimes, progress isn't everything. That sort of thing.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Have you ever known Mr. Dixon to become violent?

Mickie Webster: No. He and Dev argued sometimes, but no blows or physical violence - not ever.

Detective Ted Armstrong: During your relationship with Mr. Beauchamp did you have occasion to see him writing in his journals?

Mickie Webster: Sometimes.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Did he ever allow you to read any of them?

Mickie Webster: No. But he didn't deny them to me either. He kept them in a closet I think, I could have read them if I wanted.

Detective Ted Armstrong: But you didn't?

Mickie Webster: Not really.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Even after the break up?

Mickie Webster: After the break up, I wouldn't have had access to them, would I?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Perhaps you retained his key?

Mickie Webster: Sorry to disappoint you, Detective, but I returned the key to him the day we broke up. I am sure you will find it in his personal effects.

Detective Ted Armstrong: So you have no key to Mr. Beauchamp's home?

Mickie Webster: No sir.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Other than Carl Dixon, to your knowledge, does anyone else have a key?

Mickie Webster: Not to my knowledge sir, no. I'm afraid I will need to get home to get ready for work soon, Detective. Can we finish this up?

Detective Ted Armstrong: Sure, just a few more questions, then we're done. Where were you on January 2, 2010 between the hours of 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.?

Mickie Webster: I was home, with a migraine.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Was anyone with you?

Mickie Webster: No... But I did get a call from a girlfriend... that night.

Detective Ted Armstrong: What time was that?

Mickie Webster: It was about 11:30 I think...

Detective Ted Armstrong: Your friend's name?

Mickie Webster: Dorothy Rebine, 719 University. She's in the book.

Detective Ted Armstrong: We’ll be getting in touch with her.

Mickie Webster: No doubt. Anything else?

Detective Ted Armstrong: You left work at 9:30 p.m. and then what?

Mickie Webster: I went to James Food Store, picked up a few things, coffee, orange juice, some aspirin - then I went home.

Detective Ted Armstrong: What time did you arrive at home?

Mickie Webster: It was probably about 10.

Detective Ted Armstrong: Anyone see you arrive home?

Mickie Webster: I don't know - my drive is up the alley and I came in through the back door. I'm not sure my neighbors would see me coming or going. And my lights are on a timer, so I'm afraid I can't help you there.

Detective Ted Armstrong: When did you first become aware of Mr. Beauchamp's death?

Mickie Webster: At that horrible meeting... Carl looking like he was going to die himself... I just remember how the room seemed to spin on me...

Detective Ted Armstrong: I see. Could you tell me what kind of vehicle you drive?

Mickie Webster: A 2003 Toyota short bed, pickup truck - white.

Detective Ted Armstrong: All right, Ms. Webster, that's all we have for now. It may be we will need to re-interview you, and we will need you to be available.

Mickie Webster: Of course.

Detective Ted Armstrong: So you won't leave town without notifying the Sheriff's office.

Mickie Webster: No, of course not. I never would. I want to see Dev's killer caught. I want to help, really I do.

Detective Ted Armstrong: So noted, Ms. Webster - thank you for coming in.

Interview ends: 2:45 p.m.