On Monday, January 9, 2010 and Tuesday, January 10, 2010, Detectives
Sam Murphy and Ted Armstrong went to Home Plate to interview employees
who may have information about the homicide of Devlin Beauchamp and/or
circumstances leading to the homicide. The interviews summarized are
those relevant to the investigation.
- Joe Hampton, day cook,
Home Plate. 728 Shady Oaks Circle, Oxford. Mr. Hampton stated he
came in to work on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at approximately 7 a.m. He
possesses a key to the back door and the code for the alarm and
requires no assistance gaining entry to the restaurant. When Devlin
Beauchamp did not arrive by 8 a.m., Mr. Hampton became concerned and
placed a call to Mr. Beauchamp's residence, but the call was picked up
by the answering machine. Mr. Hampton stated that, while this was not
common, there had been a few occasions on which Devlin did not show up
on time and so at first Mr. Hampton was not very concerned. When Mr.
Hampton did not hear back from Mr. Beauchamp by 9 a.m., he began to
worry that something was wrong. He placed another call to Mr.
Beauchamp, but again the call was picked up by the answering machine.
Mr. Hampton said he decided to call the other owner, Carl Dixon, but
there was no answer, not even an answering machine, at the Dixon
residence. Mr. Hampton assumed Mr. Dixon was on his way in. However,
when Mr. Dixon did not arrive by 9:30 a.m., Mr. Hampton stated he
became even more alarmed. By that time, the day waitress Tina Morgan
had arrived. She and Mr. Hampton took turns calling Mr. Beauchamp and
Mr. Dixon, but to no avail. When Mr. Dixon finally arrived at
approximately 10:35 a.m., Mr. Hampton explained the situation to him
and his concern that they hadn't heard from Mr. Beauchamp. Mr. Hampton
told Mr. Dixon that there was not enough sauce made to last the day,
since Sunday is their busiest day of the week. Mr. Dixon tried
unsuccessfully to reach Mr. Beauchamp by phone, and so he left the
restaurant around 10:50 a.m. to drive over to the Beauchamp residence.
When asked if there had been any unusual activity or tension around the
restaurant, Mr. Hampton stated that he minded his own business and
didn't know of anything. When asked if Mr. Dixon and Mr. Beauchamp
argued, Mr. Hampton replied that partners always argued and to him it
was nothing special.
- Tina Morgan, waitress,
Home Plate. 3009 Davis drive, Oxford. Ms. Morgan stated she arrived
at work on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at approximately 9:25 a.m. When she
arrived, Mr. Hampton told her Mr. Beauchamp had not yet arrived and he
was worried there was not enough sauce. According to Ms. Morgan, she
and Mr. Hampton took turns calling Mr. Beauchamp and Mr. Dixon, but did
not succeed in reaching either one. At about 10:30 a.m., Mr. Dixon
arrived. Ms. Morgan said that after Mr. Dixon heard the circumstances,
he tried to reach Mr. Beauchamp by phone and when he could not, left to
drive over to Mr. Beauchamp's home. Ms. Morgan estimates Mr. Dixon left
for Mr. Beauchamp's between 10:50 and 10:55 a.m. When asked about Mr.
Dixon's attitude upon learning the news about Mr. Beauchamp's absence,
Ms. Morgan stated he seemed a little peeved but that was all. When
asked about arguments between the partners, Ms. Morgan stated they had
had a couple of "good ones" she had witnessed, but the men always made
up and were friends afterwards. When asked what the arguments were
about, she said she thought it was mostly about the usual, spending
money versus saving money, paying too high a price for supplies,
allowing too much overtime, that sort of thing. When asked if she had
witnessed any unusual behavior on either partner's part, she stated
that Mr. Beauchamp had seemed a little distracted the last few days but
she didn't know why and he didn't say. Ms. Morgan was also asked if she
knew anything about Mr. Beauchamp's journals to which she replied that
he frequently talked about the value of keeping journals and how it was
a habit everyone should get into. Because of his enthusiasm, she
attempted to started journaling herself, but found it an activity she
didn't enjoy.
- Dave Oliver, waiter,
Home Plate. 108 Twin Oaks Cove, Oxford. Mr. Oliver stated he
started work at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2010. When he arrived
just before the beginning of his shift, Ms. Morgan and Mr. Hampton were
"all in a dither" about Mr. Beauchamp's failure to arrive and their
inability to reach Mr. Dixon. Mr. Oliver said he shrugged it off,
stating that both Mr. Beauchamp and Mr. Dixon were temperamental and
often showed up when they felt like it. He saw no need for alarm. Mr.
Oliver said he felt Ms. Morgan and Mr. Hampton were "brown-nosers" and
were making a big deal in an effort to be noticed by the bosses. When
asked why he felt Ms. Morgan and Mr. Hampton would do such a thing, he
replied that some people are just that way. He stated he believes "you
should just go to work, do your job and go home, but some people just
don't have a life." When asked about what time Mr. Dixon arrived, he
said he could not be sure, since he was preparing the dining room and
all the concern over Mr. Beauchamp and Mr. Dixon was going on in the
kitchen, away from him. Though the employees managed to get the
restaurant open on time and handle the brunch crowd, Mr. Oliver
reported that Mr. Dixon closed the restaurant when he returned and made
the announcement about Mr. Beauchamp's death, at approximately 2:35
p.m. Mr. Oliver felt that everyone was shocked and saddened by the
news.
When asked about any arguments and/or tension between the partners, Mr.
Oliver stated that he just tuned that stuff out as it was none of his
business. He stated that restaurants are notorious for rumor and gossip
and he tried to stay out of it. When asked what rumor and gossip he was
referring to, Mr. Oliver stated that there was talk about Mr. Beauchamp
and some of the waitresses, including Mickie Webster and Kat Dixon. Mr.
Oliver volunteered that he knew Mr. Beauchamp had dated Ms. Webster
sometime in the past. However, he didn't believe Ms. Dixon had ever
really dated Mr. Beauchamp; it was more a matter of "her dreams" but
added he wasn't positive. He further stated there was also talk that
Mr. Beauchamp frequently found a "dating pool" in his customers, but
Mr. Oliver hurried to add that it was talk and gossip and he couldn't
prove it. When asked if Mr. Beauchamp had displayed any unusual
behavior in the few days prior to his death, Mr. Oliver said he thought
Mr. Beauchamp seemed a little "out of it," spent more time in the
office than he usually did, and seemed to be getting more phone calls
than usual.
- Millie Hodges,
waitress, Home Plate. 203 Cotton Creek Drive, Oxford. Ms. Hodges
stated she worked the night of January 2, 2000. When asked if there was
any tension between the two partners, Ms. Hodges stated they had quite
a run-in the night of the 2nd, before Mr. Beauchamp apparently got fed
up and stormed out around 10 p.m. She said that since they were in the
office and the door was closed, she really didn't know what the fight
was about. Ms. Hodges said she thought she heard Mr. Beauchamp say,
"There is NO deal," and later she thought she heard Mr. Dixon yelling
about Mr. Beauchamp's "hot pants" but said she couldn't be positive.
When asked what she felt these comments referred to, she said the rumor
around the restaurant was that there might be a franchising deal in the
works and also there was always talk about Mr. Beauchamp's escapades
with women. Mr. Beauchamp had dated the head waitress, Mickie Webster,
and after they broke up, it was tense around the restaurant. Ms. Hodges
heard Mr. Dixon express more than once that Mr. Beauchamp should avoid
personal relationships with his employees. When asked if there was
still tension between Ms. Webster and Mr. Beauchamp, Ms. Hodges said
she felt it had calmed down and the two seemed to remain friends. When
asked if there was an unusual or odd behavior from either of the
partners in the few days before the homicide, Ms. Hodges said that Mr.
Beauchamp seemed preoccupied, as he frequently did, and that Mr. Dixon
was less cheerful than usual, but nothing other than that.
- Freddie Alvarez,
waiter, Home Plate. 604 Saddle Creek Loop, Oxford. Mr. Alvarez said
he has only worked at Home Plate since December 1, 2009 and he didn't
know much, since nobody really talks to the new guys. He stated he
heard the screaming match between the two partners on the night of
January 2, 2010, but said that he went to great lengths to stay away
from the office as he didn't want to be involved. The office door was
shut and he really couldn't hear anything clearly. Mr. Alvarez did say
that the argument seemed to come to a halt at approximately 10 p.m.
when Mr. Beauchamp stormed through the dining room and out the front
door of the restaurant. Mr. Alvarez believed Mr. Beauchamp was pretty
angry because he heard Mr. Beauchamp's tires squealing as he exited the
parking lot. Mr. Dixon came out to the dining room from the office
shortly afterward and, according to Mr. Alvarez, looked a little pale.
Mr. Alvarez said he offered Mr. Dixon a glass of water, but Mr. Dixon
mumbled something about needing something a "might stronger" and walked
toward the bar. When asked whether either partner had recently
exhibited any odd or unusual behavior, Mr. Alvarez reiterated that he
had only worked there a few weeks and didn't feel he would recognize
behavior as being odd or unusual since he didn't know either partner
well at all. Mr. Alvarez stated he thought they were both pretty nice
guys and were pretty easy to work for. He especially liked the fact
that Mr. Beauchamp organized team sports and softball for the
employees. Mr. Alvarez did not work on January 3, 2010 but did attend
the emergency meeting that Mr. Dixon called to inform the employees of
Mr. Beauchamp's death. Mr. Alvarez said he felt sad about what happened
to Mr. Beauchamp, as he seemed like somebody who didn't deserve that to
happen to him.
- Mickie Webster, head
waitress, Home Plate. 3412 Benbow Circle, Oxford. Ms. Webster
stated she worked on January 2, 2010 until about 9:30 p.m., when the
dinner crowd died down. She said she clocked out and left, never
witnessing any argument between Mr. Dixon and Mr. Beauchamp. When asked
if she had noticed any tension between the partners particularly that
night, Ms. Webster stated that she had been very busy that night and
really didn't have time to notice much of anything besides her
customers, but that they seemed fine to her. When asked about her
personal relationship with Mr. Beauchamp that other restaurant staff
had mentioned, she stated simply she and Mr. Beauchamp dated for
several months but then broke up. She said that the break up was
friendly, that they had remained friends, and that there were no hard
feelings. Ms. Webster mentioned that Kat Dixon seemed interested in Mr.
Beauchamp recently and Ms. Dixon had sought her advice on how to
approach him. Ms. Webster stated she declined to offer Ms. Dixon any
advice, feeling it would be inappropriate for her to do so. When asked
if she had noticed either or both partners doing anything odd or
unusual recently, Ms. Webster said she felt something was bothering Mr.
Beauchamp as he seemed quieter than usual. She also noticed he spent
more time in his office while at the restaurant and in general more
away from the restaurant altogether. When asked about Mr. Beauchamp's
journals she said that she knew of this habit, especially since they
had once dated, but she had never seen or read any of them. It was her
belief that he kept them locked away somewhere but she really had no
idea where. Asked if she knew of anyone who might have a grudge against
Mr. Beauchamp, Ms. Webster said she didn't think so, as he was very
well liked. She stated she knew that Mr. Beauchamp was estranged from
his brother over some family heirlooms, but that was all. She stated
she had never met Mr. Beauchamp's brother and so couldn't judge how
severe the estrangement was.
- Tom Bridges, night
cook, Home Plate. 454 Sisk Avenue, Oxford. Mr. Bridges stated he
worked the night of January 2, 2010 from 4 p.m. until closing -
approximately midnight. He said he did hear the argument between Mr.
Beauchamp and Mr. Dixon, but it was muffled and he couldn't make out
what was actually said. Mr. Bridges volunteered that the partners
frequently disagreed and it was usually about expenses. He said he
didn't consider this fight to be any different. Mr. Bridges confirmed
that Mickie Webster left shortly after the dinner crowd died down on
January 2nd, which was about 9:30 p.m. He also verified that Mr.
Beauchamp left at about 10 p.m. and he appeared angry when he left. Mr.
Bridges said he too heard Mr. Beauchamp's squealing tires as he exited
the parking lot. After Mr. Beauchamp left, Mr. Bridges stated the night
went on as it usually did. The restaurant was closed by 11 p.m., and by
midnight he and Mr. Dixon walked out together, got in their respective
cars, and drove home.
When asked about any odd or unusual behavior on the part of either or
both partners, Mr. Bridges stated that Mr. Beauchamp was less friendly
than usual - as if he had something on his mind. Mr. Bridges could
think of no one who would have had a grudge or beef with Beauchamp so
severe that they would have killed him. When asked about Mr.
Beauchamp's personal relationships with employees and customers,
Bridges replied that he tried to mind his own business and paid no
attention to rumors and gossip. He added that Devlin was a very
magnetic person and maybe it wasn't his fault that people were drawn to
him.
- Isabel Penner,
bartender, Home Plate. 3728 Lyles drive, Oxford. Mrs. Penner stated
she worked the night of January 2, 2010. but was unaware of any
argument until she saw Mr. Beauchamp storm out the front door at about
10 p.m. When she inquired about what happened, she stated Mr. Dixon
gave her "the look," which meant she shouldn't ask and just leave it
alone, which she did. Mrs. Penner volunteered that she wondered if the
argument was about Mr. Beauchamp's lunch date that day, from which he
returned late. Mr. Beauchamp was gone for nearly three hours and
returned at approximately 4:30 p.m. She further stated that Mr.
Beauchamp had seemed to be having a lot of "lunch dates" lately and she
wondered if there was a new woman in his life.
When asked if she had noticed either Mr. Beauchamp or Mr. Dixon
exhibiting any odd or unusual behavior of late, Mrs. Penner stated she
hadn't noticed anything to speak of. She said it seemed that Mr.
Beauchamp had been spending more time away from the restaurant than
usual, but she assumed it was because he needed a break. She said she
hoped that, after years of being there every moment, maybe Mr.
Beauchamp was finally getting a bit of a break to have some personal
time. "Maybe he was in love and wasn't ready to share the news with
us?" When asked if Mr. Dixon seemed to be taking the same opportunity
she stated that he seemed to thrive on work and had nothing else in his
life to speak of. So even if he could, Mrs. Penner said she thought Mr.
Dixon probably wouldn't spend time away from the place.
When asked of any rumors about Mr. Beauchamp's personal relationships
with employees and/or customers, Mrs. Penner stated that everyone found
Mr. Beauchamp very charming and women just "got stuck on him" whether
he wanted them to or not. When asked if she ever had a personal
relationship with Mr. Beauchamp, Mrs. Penner stated she was married and
a mother of two and that offered plenty of excitement in her life.
- Danny Forbes, bus
boy/dishwasher, Home Plate. 2314 Jefferson Avenue, Oxford. Mr.
Forbes said he worked the night of January 2, 2010 until closing. He
stated he didn't hear the argument between the partners but did see Mr.
Beauchamp storm out the front door at about 10 p.m. and heard the
squealing tires as Mr. Beauchamp exited the parking lot. Mr. Forbes
stated he had no knowledge of any personal relationships among or
between Mr. Beauchamp and the female employees and/or customers. Mr.
Forbes did mention the softball league which he was looking forward to
joining this spring, but said he believed that probably wouldn't happen
now that Mr. Beauchamp was dead. He said he didn't notice any tension
between Mr. Dixon and Mr. Beauchamp. They both seemed cheerful and
friendly to Mr. Forbes, but he added he had worked there only a few
months and didn't know them that well.
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