Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 1:10 p.m.

The witness, a graduate student at the University of Mississippi, was identified by the University as the tour guide on duty at Rowan Oak on Friday, April 27, 2001. Detectives Sam Murphy and Ted Armstrong interviewed the witness at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office. The interview was recorded on a portable tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

TA = Detective T. Armstrong

SM = Detective S. Murphy

JF = Jessica Fowler

SM: Thank you for coming , Ms. Fowler. Would you give us your name and address for the record, please?

JF: My name is Jessica Fowler and I live at 503 Van Buren.

TA: We understand you were serving as the tour guide at Rowan Oak on Friday, April 27th. Is that correct?

JF: Yes, that's right. We have tours of the home in the mornings between ten and twelve and again in the afternoons between two and four. I did both shifts that day.

SM: Do you remember anything unusual about your tours that day?

JF: No, not really. They were pretty much routine, although each is unique because of the people who participate. Are you referring to that man who was killed on the grounds on Monday?

TA: Well, I'm sure you are aware we are investigating a homicide.

JF: Yes, and I figured you wanted to talk to me about that man since he was on one of my tours that Friday. At least, I think it was the same man.

SM: What makes you think it was him?

JF: Well, I read that the murdered man was a German tourist, and the man on my tour spoke German. I heard him talking to his friend.

SM: How did you know they were speaking German?

JF: I took German for a couple of years in high school. I couldn't really understand everything they were saying, but I know it was German.

TA: Would you describe the man on your tour for us?

JF: Let's see. He was a large man, heavyset with a balding head and a beard or goatee or something. He wore a black coat, kind of heavy, actually, for our weather.

SM: You said he was with a friend?

JF: Yes, actually two people - a man about his age and a young woman. She was quite pretty too, if you like that type.

SM: What type is that?

JF: Oh, sort of flashy, if you know what I mean.

SM: Flashy? You mean flashy like diamond jewelry, things like that?

JF: Oh no, no jewelry like that. I would have noticed diamonds in the daytime. It was more like her clothes were inappropriate. It was just an impression, I'm not sure exactly why.

TA: Tell us about the other man.

JF: He was slighter than the first man. And his hair wasn't as dark.

SM: How did they act towards each other?

JF: They seemed to get along really well. They would talk, sometimes in German, and laugh. They especially seemed amused by Mr. Faulkner's office with the notes on the wall and the old typewriter. They mentioned the contrast with modern day computers. They seemed comfortable with each other.

SM: And what about the young woman? Was she comfortable with them as well?

JF: She didn't seem comfortable -- period.

TA: Would you explain what you mean?

JF: She acted bored and like she couldn't wait for the tour to be over. She sighed frequently and loudly, and yawned a lot. I found it quite annoying.

SM: And did the gentlemen with her find it annoying?

JF: No, they seemed to be in good spirits and appeared to find it amusing.

TA: Ms. Fowler, did you notice anyone else hovering around or showing an interest in the trio?

JF: No, I was concentrating on my tour group. It was a small group, but quite congenial. I heard an older couple ask them where they were from, but I took it as just the normal tourist interest in other tourists.

SM: Is there anything else that stands out about that day or that tour, that you can tell us?

JF: No, I'm sorry. It really was very normal. I wouldn't have thought anything of it if there hadn't been a murder on the grounds. I have to tell you this has really spooked the tour staff!

TA: I'm sure it has, but there shouldn't be any need for concern. We're quite sure this was an isolated incident.

JF: I sure hope so! I don't enjoy being there with a murderer on the loose.

SM: Thank you for coming in today, Ms. Fowler. If you should think of anything else, be sure to give us a call.

End interview 1:24 p.m.