Wednesday, August 2, 10:30 a.m.

The witness was identified as the athletic director at Ole Miss, where the victim played on the football team. He was interviewed at his office on the Ole Miss campus. The interview was recorded on a portable audio tape recorder with the witness's knowledge and consent.

SM= Det. Sam Murphy
TA= Det. Ted Armstrong
DM= David Metherall

SM: Thank you for making time to see us this morning, Mr. Metherall.

DM: I'm only too glad to do whatever I can to help with this awful situation.

TA: Would you state your name and home address for the record please, sir?

DM: It's David Metherall, and I live at 111 Elm Street.

SM: Did you know the young man, Jamie Washington, whose remains we found?

DM: No, Detective, I didn't. I understand he played football for us.

TA: That's right. Do you recall anything about him? Anything at all that might help us figure this thing out?

DM: Not really, Detective. You have to understand that we administer fifteen athletic programs, each with their own coaches and students. In a program as sizeable as football we have a very large roster of athletes, and it changes every year. It's very unusual that I would remember the individual athletes. I'm like the CEO of a big corporation, you see, and removed from the day-to-day contact with students. The contact with the student athletes is in the hands of the coaches and their staff. In addition to that, I understand this young man disappeared some years ago. Is that correct?

SM: Yes, sir, we think spring of 2002.

DM: So four years ago? I usually only remember our outstanding athletes and then not always after such a long time. Was Mr. -- what was his name -- Oh yes, Washington -- an outstanding athlete?

TA: That's what we're trying to determine, Mr. Metherall. Well, tell me this. Do you recall anything about Coach Tunney having a physical altercation with a student in the fall of 2001? In fact, we hear the coach may have hit the student. Were you aware of the situation?

DM: Oh, yes, I do remember now. Coach told me about it. He evidently lost his temper at the young man's lousy attitude. He was quite contrite about the encounter -- assured me it would never happen again.

SM: And are you aware that the same young man is the one whose remains we found on your campus?

DM: Oh, no! Surely you're not implying Coach would have any thing to do with his disappearance? That's ludicrous. He loves working with these kids. Feels he's teaching them to be men.

SM: We aren't implying anything, Mr. Metherall. We're just trying to get at the truth here.

TA: Didn't Coach Tunney have a reputation as a tough guy at the schools where he coached before you hired him?

DM: Yes, but there is nothing wrong with being tough on kids in sports. Teaches them about life. Coach Tunney assured me his major goal was to field winning teams and I agree. The methods he used were up to him -- within reason, of course.

SM: Including hitting students?

DM: I assure you detective, I investigated him thoroughly before he came on board here and the allegations were grossly exaggerated.

TA: And what about the time he hit Mr. Washington? Was that exaggerated also?

DM: Yes, I believe it was. He explained and I accepted his explanation. You have to be strict with some of these kids or they'll try to get away with murder -- er… poor choice of words. I seem to remember that Coach told me he planned to revoke the kid's scholarship based on the way he was playing. The kid stayed on the team after that but didn't play much. Are you sure we're talking about the same student?

TA: Yes, sir, I believe we are.

DM: You know, I do I remember something about Washington. Talking with you has refreshed my memory. At the Red and Blue Game in April of 2002 he played in place of the first stringer, Urbanski, who was out with an injury. Terrific player, Urbanski – he's in the pros now, did you know that?

TA: The Bucs, right?

DM: Yup. Anyway, Coach put Washington in and he scored the winning touchdown. I remember because Coach was raving that if Washington had put out that way during the season, he would have had a great season, and not had his scholarship revoked. Coach said if he'd known what got Washington so fired up he would have used it himself.

TA: Tell us what's going on with the stadium construction.

DM: We're quite excited about the improvements. We're bowling in the south end with permanent seating to replace the bleachers so we'll have one giant U-shaped structure. We'll have six elevators on the exterior, restrooms and concession stands on the inside. Thirty-one climate controlled boxes and additional bleacher seating. This is all part of the five-year Campaign for Excellence. We have plans for other athletic facilities, as well. That's one of my jobs-- to raise funds for these improvements.

TA: What about in 2002? What construction was going on in the area where Mr. Washington's remains were found?

DM: Well, in 2002 the Rebel Club seating was completed – that involved adding a whole upper deck to the east side of the stadium. That gave us seating for over 50,000. This new work will increase it to 60,000 or so. Of course, we anticipate this will result in increased revenues for the University.

SM: I see. And when this kind of work is going on, who would have access to the site? Is there security of any kind?

DM: Well, anyone on campus can walk by, of course. It's fenced off but I suppose you could get around it if you wanted. We have security, but not specifically to guard the site.

TA: Would donors or athletic staff have any reason to be in there?

DM: Not at all. As far as donors go, once they write the check, they're not really involved until the ribbon-cutting. They like their names on the buildings but they don't want to be down in the dirt.

TA: How could Mr. Washington have ended up there?

DM: I'm afraid I don't know.

SM: No one reported anything unusual during construction in 2002?

DM: There were the usual problems. There was a lot of rain so that created issues. But really, I'd have to look at my records to give more of a definite answer.

SM: Thank you, Mr. Metherall. We would appreciate it if you would take a look at those records and give us a call if anything stands out or if you remember anything more about Mr. Washington. Having talked about it may stimulate your recall.

DM: Certainly, Detective. Will do. If I think of any thing else I'll call immediately. Now, I hope you'll excuse me – I have a conference call to take.

Interview ended 11:04 a.m.