Witness Interview: Dora Donahue, former museum employee and person of interest to the victim

Monday, November 25, 2002 - 10:45 a.m.

This witness was identified as a former employee of Professor David Robinson of the University of Mississippi Museum, and the person the victim had inquired about during his November 3, 2002 visit to the museum. Det. Sam Murphy and Det. Ted Armstrong interviewed the witness at her home in Oxford, MS. Also present during the interview was James Donahue, the witness's son. 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

DD = Dora Donahue

JD = James Donahue

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

DD My name is Mrs. Dora Donahue, and this is my home, at 634 N Lamar.

SM: It's a lovely home, Mrs. Donahue. Have you always lived here?

DD: Oh yes. George and I fell in love with this place when we were looking for a home after he asked me to marry him. We've lived here now since 1949, I believe.

JD: 1948, Mother. You and Father married in 1948. This has been our family home since 1948.

SM: And you, sir. Can you also state your name and address for the record please?

JD: Yes, of course. I do apologize, Detectives. My name is James Donahue and I live at 1509 Madison Avenue.

SM: Don't I know you from somewhere, Mr. Donahue?

JD: You very well may, Detective Murphy. I'm involved in the local political scene.

TA: You're a Republican in the Mississippi House of Representatives aren't you?

JD: Yes, I am. I hope we can count on your support, Detectives. We've always enjoyed a warm relationship with senior members of our law enforcement agencies.

TA: Yes, I'm sure you have. Do you know what we have come to ask your mother about, Mr. Donahue?

JD: I believe it's in relation to this unfortunate homicide you are investigating?

DD: James was one of the youngest men to be elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives you know. I'm so very proud.

SM: Do you mind if we ask your mother some questions alone? It might make things a little quicker for everyone.

JD: Mother, would you like me to leave you to talk to the detectives alone? Will you be okay?

DD: Stay, James. I really don't know anything I could tell them about this Mr. Hertzy.

TA: It's Hitzig, Mrs. Donahue. Wenzel Hitzig. Did he come to see you?

DD: Yes, he did. I didn't want to see him.

SM: Did you talk to him?

DD: Why should I talk to him? I didn't know him from Adam.

SM: Do you know what he wanted to talk to you about, Mrs. Donahue?

DD: No, but I bet he wanted money. He started to ask me about some treasure and I think he was looking for something to steal. I called for James and Sara and they made him leave.

TA: James and Sara?

JD: That would be myself and Mrs. Van Outen, our housekeeper. This was a Sunday in early November wasn't it? I'm usually here on a Sunday afternoon, schedule permitting, to spend some time with Mother.

TA: We believe it was November 3rd, the day before Mr. Hitzig was found dead in Avent Park.

JD: Surely my mother isn't a suspect in this homicide is she, Detectives?

SM: We simply need to know why Mr. Hitzig came to see Mrs. Donahue. We know what he told the museum staff in order to find out your address here, but we're trying to find out as much as we can about what Mr. Hitzig was doing in Oxford.

JD: And what did he tell the museum staff?

DD: A pack of lies no doubt. And who gave him my address, eh? Handing it out without a care in the world to the first stranger who asks. He could have killed me. Who was it?

TA: It's not important right now who told him.

DD: I bet it was that Carol Flynn. Flighty young thing, always looked startled, prone to tears. I knew she'd never amount to anything, tittle-tattling on the good folk of the town. I can't imagine why she'd do something like that. Silly girl. I value my privacy.

SM: Mr. Hitzig said he knew someone in Greece who once knew you? How would that be?

DD: It would be because I once worked in Greece, my dear.

TA: Where in Greece?

DD: I took part in an archaeological expedition and worked with Professor Robinson in Chalcidic. That's in the North of Greece, you know.

TA: Thank you, I didn't. So do you know who Mr. Hitzig might have been referring to?

DD: What?

JD: I think they want to know if you know anyone in Greece, Mother?

DD: Greece? Why would I know anyone in Greece?

SM: Because, as you just told us, you once worked there?

DD: Yes, that's right. I did, didn't I?

JD: I'm sorry, Detectives. She does sometimes get a little confused.

DD: Don't you patronize me, James. I do not get confused.

JD: You do, Mother. We all do sometimes.

DD: You said you wouldn't patronize me, James.

SM: Mrs. Donahue?

DD: Yes, my dear?

SM: Do you know who Mr. Hitzig was referring to when he told the staff at the museum that he had met someone who knew you and wanted to pass on a letter or something to thank you?

DD: I have no idea at all what that mad man was talking about. He came here. I'm sure he was after something. Horrible beard he had, didn't he?

SM: Can you remember what he said to you?

DD: Not exactly, no. I am sorry, my dear, I really am. He said something about Greece and the dig and, yes, he did mention a Greek name, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. I'm sure he was looking for something and I think he thought I should give him something.

JD: I think it's kind of obvious what went on here isn't it, Detectives?

TA: And what do you think went on, Mr. Donahue?

JD: This Hitzig character was obviously trying to get information or valuables out of my mother. He obviously was looking to make some easy bucks, did a bit of research at the university and then... wasn't he involved in some sort of funny business?

TA: What makes you say that, sir?

JD: Well, obviously when we heard about the terrible murder in Avent Park, we followed the story on the news. What was it again? Some sort of computer game?

TA: That's true. He was involved in the production of a computer game. He didn't tell you any details of it while he was here, did he?

JD: I'm afraid I didn't talk to him, Detective. Well, only to ask him to leave.

SM: You left your mother alone with a stranger?

JD: I didn't leave her alone. I simply let her behave as an adult.

SM: And yet you feel the need to stay with her when the police wish to speak to her?

JD: I think that's a little unfair. I wanted to know what all this would be about. It's not every day the police ask to see Mother.

SM: Mrs. Donahue, did Mr. Hitzig threaten you while he was here?

DD: Not that I remember, dear. I wouldn't say I felt threatened, but I did feel like he was being a little aggressive.

TA: In what way was his behavior aggressive?

DD: He was saying that he knew things about me. Things no one else knew, and that he wanted something. I'm sorry, Detectives, I really am. I don't know how much of it makes sense, but at the time I felt he was after something. I've lived a respectable life. I didn't want someone in my home shouting at me.

SM: Why would Mr. Hitzig think you could give him a treasure or valuables?

DD: Because of my career. I worked with Professor Robinson, you know, at the University. Oh, he was a brilliant man. He discovered so many fantastic artifacts and long buried treasures. He was involved in some of the most important archaeological works of the 20th century. I worked alongside him at the University, cataloging items and helping him with his research. Many people think, with a career like that, you will have priceless antiques just hanging around the home.

SM: Well, do you?

DD: No, I do not. Yes, I have some nice items, but nothing of any real value.

JD: May I ask a question, Detectives?

TA: Go ahead.

JD: Did this computer game, or whatever this man was doing, involve a treasure hunt?

TA: We're not ruling anything out right now, so it's possible it did, yes.

JD: Yes, I thought it would. It becomes clearer and clearer, doesn't it?

SM: Does it, sir?

JD: Yes, it's obvious this Hitzig was hoping to get his hands on a valuable item he could use to fan the flames of publicity for this computer game of his. He checked out the security of the university museum, thought he wouldn't be able to steal anything there, and then tried his luck here. I'm sorry he's dead and all that, but it sounds as if Mother may have had a fortunate escape.

TA: Can I ask you a question, sir?

JD: Yes, of course. What do you want to know?

TA: Where were you on November 4th this year?

JD: I'm a suspect now as well, am I?

TA: If you could just answer the question, Mr. Donahue?

JD: Well, without referring to my schedule, I'm unable to say. But most Mondays, I breakfast at home with my family before leaving for the office. Sometimes there are meetings and political things. I'm sure it's really very boring to someone who leads the exciting life of a detective.

SM: Oh, I wouldn't say that, sir. I'm very interested in the day-to-day events of politics.

JD: Really? That's wonderful! Maybe you'd like to visit the State House one day? As my guest, of course. We could have lunch.

SM: It will have to be after the investigation has finished.

JD: Yes, of course. You're far too busy otherwise.

SM: No, I meant because, until this case is closed or we're able to conclusively eliminate you, you have to be considered a suspect, sir.

JD: Me? But that is ridiculous. I have no connection at all with this Hitzig character. You know who I am. The idea that I could be involved in this business, well, it's just laughable.

SM: We've seen funnier things, sir.

TA: Any chance of you getting a copy of your schedule for the 4th to us? We'd like to follow up on it, if we can.

JD: Yes, I'll see what I can do, but I have to say I'm very annoyed to be treated in this regard. A man of my standing in the community! I hope there isn't going to be any publicity from this.

DD: Publicity like this would be dreadful for his career. I have high hopes for James.

SM: Well, it won't come from us. You can be assured of that. You do understand, don't you? Why we have to check into everyone?

DD: Of course we do, my dear. Of course.

TA: Just one more thing. Did Mr. Hitzig say anything when you asked him to leave?

JD: No, he didn't.

SM: Nothing at all?

JD: I asked him to leave, and he did so. I told him I wouldn't have Mother upset by nonsense from the past. He said he hadn't come to upset her, but that he needed to speak to her. And then he left.

TA: You watched him leave?

JD: I watched him get into his car and drive off, yes.

SM: Okay, well, we thank both of you for your time. Mrs. Donahue, we may have to come and speak to you again.

DD: I've told you everything I know, Detectives, which is not a lot, is it?

SM: You've been very helpful.

JD: I'll see you out, Detectives. No need for Mother to get up.

TA: We'll be in touch.

End interview 11:17 a.m.