James Thurston interview

Thursday, August 14 – 2:15 p.m.

James Thurston is the resident manager at Oxford Ridge Apartments, where Andy and Cindy Fine live.

Detectives Beckwith and Magee interviewed him at the Oxford Ridge leasing office.

Participants:

• Detective P. Beckwith
• Detective J. Magee
• James Thurston

Detective Magee: Thank you for allowing us to come in and ask you a few questions.

James Thurston: No problem. Call me Jim, please.

Detective Magee: For the record, who do you work for?

James Thurston: I work for Oxford Ridge Apartments.

Detective Magee: What is your job description here at Oxford Ridge?

James Thurston: I'm the resident manager. I oversee the rentals and everyday maintenance of the apartments. I also collect and document the rent and expenditures, and take care of anything else that needs attention.

Detective Magee: Where do you live?

James Thurston: I live here at the apartments, ah, 500 Hathorn Road, Oxford

Detective Beckwith: How long have you worked here at Oxford Ridge?

James Thurston: Let's see now. I've been here for almost four years now.

Detective Beckwith: We're here to ask you about two of your tenants.

James Thurston: Sure. If I can help, I'll be glad to help.

Detective Magee: Are you familiar with the Fines, Cynthia and Andrew?

James Thurston: Oh, yes. They're not exactly model tenants if you catch my drift.

Detective Magee: How do you mean, Mr. Thurston?

James Thurston: I'll give you an example. The rent is due on the first of the month. There's a ten-day grace period, meaning the rent can be turned in on or before the tenth of the month without penalty, but after that, there's a five-dollar per day late charge. It never fails. Three out of five months, they're late with the rent, and there's always an argument about the penalty charge. I don't blame the Mrs. so much as I do that Andy Fine.

Detective Magee: I see. When was the last time you saw Andy Fine?

James Thurston: I generally take a walk around the apartment complex after lunch, you know, to check up on things, to see if things are getting done. Then, of course, I walk back to my apartment when I go home for the evening. Those are generally the times I see the residents unless they come to see me about something.

Detective Magee: And you last saw Andy Fine during one of those walks?

James Thurston: I suppose I bumped into him a couple of times around the end of the month when I was on the way home. I assume he was coming home, too. We didn't speak or even make eye contact, for that matter. It's one of those deals where he tries to avoid me. It doesn't even have to be rent time.

Detective Magee: I see. Do you remember what you were doing late on the night of August 2nd, say around 1:30, 2:00 a.m.?

James Thurston: I can't say for sure. Sleeping, probably. We went out to the lake for the weekend, me and my wife. Left on the Thursday and came back on the Sunday.

Detective Beckwith: Which lake did y'all go to?

James Thurston: Sardis. Did a little camping, a little fishing.

Detective Beckwith: Catch anything?

James Thurston: Nothing worth talking about.

Detective Beckwith: Other than what we talked about, is there anything else you can tell us about Andy Fine?

James Thurston: Not that I can think of offhand. I don't get into the personal lives of my tenants. It makes life a little easier that way. You might check with my maintenance man. He's out and about among the tenants more than me.

Detective Beckwith: Well, if you think of anything, please give us a call. Here is our card.

Interview ended – 2:27 p.m.