Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 4:00 p.m.

The witness, a twenty-eight-year-old male, is employed as a groundskeeper for the University of Mississippi. At the detectives' request, Scott Prein came into the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Office for a follow-up interview. The interview was recorded on a portable audio tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

TA = Detective T. Armstrong

SM = Detective S. Murphy

SP = Scott Prein

SM: Thanks for coming in. For the record, could you please state your name and address?

SP: I'm Scott Prein and I live at 1756 Jefferson Avenue.

SM: And your occupation?

SP: I'm a groundskeeper with the University.

SM: Do you remember if you were at work on Monday, April 30?

SP: Yeah, of course I was.

SM: What do you remember about that day?

SP: Besides a dude being found with his head bashed in?

TA: We're looking for details, Mr. Prein. Did you happen to notice anything unusual about that day?

SP: No, not really. All in all, it was a pretty quiet day. Just worked on the windows in the house, helped Lorie with a door, picked up some trash. Usual stuff.

SM: Did you happen to notice any strange cars around the Rowan Oak grounds?

SP: No, can't say that I did.

TA: See any people that shouldn't have been there? It's closed on Mondays, right?

SP: Yeah, it is closed. But I didn't see anyone. Not 'til the dead dude anyways.

SM: Your co-worker, Lorie Jones, said that she left her truck near the old Servants' Quarters. But when she returned, it was gone. Did you move it?

SP: No.

SM: Any idea who did?

SP: Who knows? You'd have to ask Tate or Cal. We're always moving each other's trucks and stuff. I wouldn't think anything about it.

SM: So it was common practice to use each other's vehicles.

SP: Oh yeah. Happens all the time.

SM: Okay. This is a pretty standard question... do you think any of your co-workers could have been involved in the murder?

SP: Hell no. I don't see how any of them could have done something like this.

SM: Could you describe the different personalities?

SP: Well, Lorie's real sweet. She works real hard. Kinda keeps to herself, I don't think she likes the job very much. She takes classes from time to time. I guess she wants to get a better job. Tate's an all right guy. Plays in the Kudzu Kings. Cal can be a jerk from time to time, but I guess we all can.

TA: What do you mean by that?

SP: He's got a bit of a temper. And he doesn't much care for women. Lorie definitely doesn't like him.

TA: But you don't think he's that bad?

SP: Nah. I wouldn't chose to hang out with him, but I don't go out of my way to avoid him either.

SM: You mention Cal's anger. Did you know about Tate attending anger management courses?

SP: Sure. Most everybody knew about them. Hell, I've seen him go ballistic on people, cars, buildings, you name it. There was a time when he would punch a concrete wall if he was pissed at something. He seems to be getting better though.

SM: Has anyone been acting weird lately?

SP: Lorie's been really quiet lately. But I think she's just bummed about the job. And Cal's been fighting with his wife, but that's not unusual.

SM: Do you know if anyone on the crew has a computer?

SP: I know Cal's got one. I'm not really sure about the others. From time to time, I've heard Lorie talk about typing her papers and stuff, but I don't know if she has one of her own or if she goes to the computer lab.

SM: So you wouldn't know if any of them are serious computer game players?

SP: No, I can't say anything about that.

TA: You happen to know JP Wallace?

SP: Sure. I see him around town. Why?

TA: You two ever do any business together?

SP: I... what do you mean?

TA: We know you did a stint in jail for possession with intent. Maybe you and JP have done some business together.

SP: Look, those days are behind me. I swear! I learned my lesson and I'm keeping to the straight and narrow these days.

SM: Okay. What shoe size do you wear?

SP: Ten and a half. That's easy.

SM: All right. Thanks for your time. We'll let you know if we need anything else.

End interview 4:23 p.m.