Tuesday, September 5, 2006, 3:12 p.m.

The witness was identified as a fellow student and football teammate of the victim.  He was interviewed, by phone at his home in Tampa, Florida, by members of the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.  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
GU: Greg Urbanski

SM: Hi. Thanks for talking to us this afternoon

GU: No problem, what do you want to ask me about?

TA: We need to go over some of the things you told us when we first contacted you, see if you know more than you realize, routine queries.

SM: Okay, would you state your name and address please?

GU: My name is Greg Urbanski and I live at 1524 Mission Hills Drive, Tampa, Florida.

TA: You left Oxford after graduating in 2003?

GU: That's right.

SM: What are you doing now, Mr. Urbanski?

GU: I'm playing football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

TA: Sounds great, you enjoying that?

GU: It's all good?all good.

SM: Can you tell us what you remember about James Washington?

GU: Yeah, okay let me think, yeah I think he was an okay guy. Good player, I thought he was one of the best in the squad when he was on top of his game, like before his injury.

TA: And what about after his injury?

GU: He lost heart. Some of the squad called him a flake. Coach Tunney was not impressed, not impressed, I can tell you.

SM: So we've heard. Were you there when Tunney struck Washington?

GU: No I wasn't. Heard about it for sure, but I didn't see Tunney do that.

TA: When you first responded to our request for information you said you didn't consider Washington a friend, why was that?

GU: Oh, there was nothing to that, Detective. It's just I was a year younger, and even being on the same squad I was pretty much a first-team regular, whereas Washington was mostly a reserve for his last year or so. I got along okay with him when I had to, but I didn't go seeking out his company or nothing.

TA: And Jamie took your place for the showpiece Red-Blue end of season game in 2002?

GU: Well I guess he did, as much as we both played wide receiver and I got injured.

SM: Do you remember the injury? Was there anything more to it?

GU: I don't understand.

TA: I think what we're asking is did you ever feel you were injured to put you out of the game?

GU: No, no I really don't think that. I mean it was a muscle injury, I did something to my hamstring early in March. You know how it is, you think you're okay, that it's fully healed?. I started playing again at the end of March, beginning of April and tore the muscle badly. Nobody else was involved, just my fault for rushing back.

SM: How did you get along with Tunney?

GU: Tunney was fine with me. I trained hard, played hard, listened up, followed instructions, you know? I respected him -- unlike some.

SM: Like Mr. Washington you mean?

GU: Yeah, Jamie didn't do himself any favors there, did he? A lot of people will tell you Tunney was hard, sometimes unfair, but I never thought that. He was fair if you played by his rules. Jamie only had himself to blame for losing his place -- and he lost his scholarship over it as well, didn't he?

TA: Yes he did. Not much sympathy from you then?

GU: Oh, I was sorry for him, like I wouldn't wish that on anybody, but it's not like he had nothing to do with it. The man had it in his power to keep his scholarship, keep his place on the team. It would have required dedication and hard work, but then so do most things in life.

SM: If Mr. Washington had kept his place on the team, do you think you would have done so well?

GU: Sure I do. Got to be positive, I know my strengths and I know what I'm capable of.

TA: Did it hurt not to be part of the Red-Blue game?

GU: I was disappointed yes. It's a big occasion, big buildup, lots of fun, plenty of fans, it was the highlight of the year.

SM: Did you watch the game?

GU: Yeah, I did. Weird feeling, knowing I should have been out there.

TA: Do you remember Mr. Washington scoring?

GU: Of course I do. I wished it was me, taking the catch ...moving into the endzone ...bang!

SM: Do you remember anything unusual about the game itself, injuries, bad tackles, anything at all?

GU: Some guys looked like they had been out partying too hard the night before, you know? I could tell coach Tunney wasn't impressed with the performance from a few players, but I don't remember anything odd or anything.

TA: Was Mr. Washington one such player?

GU: I don't know. It's like he played okay, got stronger as the game went on in fact, but I remember him starting the game and I thought he was gonna barf. He looked green.

TA: Barf? You mean vomit right?

GU: Yeah, sorry, he looked sick.

TA: Who did Mr Washington fraternize with on the team?

GU: He was pretty tight with Dwight. That's Dwight Nelson.

SM:  Anything more you can tell us about Dwight Nelson?

GU: I never knew Dwight too well. Dwight could be loud and wasn't always a favorite of Tunney's either. Maybe that's why they got along? Him and Jamie I mean. Dwight was a bit of a party animal.

TA: What about Jamie, did he have a reputation for attending parties?

GU: It's difficult not to attend parties as part of the football team, sir. I'm pretty sure Jamie went to some, but he didn't have a wild man reputation or anything.

SM: Did you ever meet Jamie's girlfriend?

GU: I saw him with her a few times is all, after a practice, walking on campus, never spoke to her.

SM: Does the name Chris Zimmer mean anything to you?

GU: Zimmer ... Zimmer ... No, can't say as it does.

TA: Anyone else you can recall Mr. Washington being friends with, or anyone who hated him?

GU: No, like I told you when you first contacted me, it's a shame but I don't think anything I can tell you is going to help.

SM: When was the last time you saw Mr. Washington?

GU: The last time I remember seeing him, like clearly, is the Red-Blue game.

TA: Do you mean you think you might have seen him after that?

GU:  No, I mean I could have walked past him and said "hi" or something anytime after that, but that's the last time I have any recollection of Jamie being around.

TA: Greg, Mr. Washington moved out of his accommodation at the Phoenix Apartments a few days after the game, and we suspect he was scared of something or someone, do you have any idea what that could be about?

GU: I don't.

SM: Do you remember hearing about Mr. Washington leaving Oxford, or being missing?

GU: I remember someone saying he left town, yes. I think one of the players told me. I was a little shocked but not completely surprised.

SM: Why not?

GU: He got himself a reputation after his injury as being a bit of a flake. Running off so close to graduating -- what does that say to you?

TA: What does it say to you?

GU: It says flake, sir. Couldn't handle it. You got to have it up here as well, you know?

TA: I think I know yes.

SM: Did anyone on the team play baseball?

GU: Yeah sure, lots of us did. Why do you ask?

SM: Just asking, Greg. Did any of you own a baseball bat?

GU: You're kidding, right? Pretty much all of us did. If you played ball as a kid you had your own bat.

TA: Do you remember anyone owning an aluminum bat with a red and yellow cartoon bird logo?

GU: No I don't think I remember a bat like that ...it was four years ago though.

SM: Well I think that's all we need to ask you at the moment. We'll contact you again should we need any more information.

GU: Okay, Detectives. Sorry, I don't think I've been much help have I?

TA: Everyone is a help, Greg. Even those who don't think they are.

SM: Bye, Greg.

GU: Bye.

Interview ended 3:31 p.m.