YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Investigating Officer(s): Det. T. Armstrong, Det. S. Murphy
Incident No.: 003189-10G-2021
Case Description: Robert Pruitt-Wayne Fisher homicide investigation
Based on witness statements during interviews, investigators have put together the following summary of the witnesses' alibis for the window of time when the murder is believed to have been committed (approx. 8:00-10:00 p.m. on July 9, 2021), as well as for the remainder of the night.
Information on the results of attempts to verify the alibis is also included.
Confirmation types:
Description: Robert Pruitt's ex-wife Stated Alibi: Gloria Bell said she was in Jackson all day of the murder, later went to The Juke Joint in Oxford to see a movie. On the way home, she stopped at Kroger to buy milk. Possible Motive: Long-standing dislike of her ex and his career choices Confirmed? Partially. John Frampton remembered seeing Bell at the movie and Bell was watching credits when he left. |
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Description: Ex-wife of Wayne Fisher Stated Alibi: Christine Fisher said she went to the grocery store then spent the evening at home. Possible Motive: Years-long difficult relationship with her ex Confirmed? Partially. Suzanne Toms, neighbor in Pontotoc, MS, saw Fisher leave home to go to the store 7:30-8:00 p.m. |
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Description: Wayne Fisher's estranged son Stated Alibi: Joel Fisher said in his first interview that his wife and son went to the Rib Cage Street Party, he worked at Arts Council, then stayed home the rest of the evening. Possible Motive: Long-standing hatred of his father Confirmed? Partially. Debbie Kousopolis, a cashier at Newk's who knows Joel Fisher, said Fisher arrived at the restaurant between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. |
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Description: Wayne Fisher's son and business partner Stated Alibi: Ned Fisher said he stayed home Friday evening and night, drinking beer. Possible Motive: No known motive, but his and his father's criminal pasts raise possibilities of unknown activity they may have been involved in. Confirmed? No. James Bettis, neighbor, remembers seeing Ned Fisher's pickup truck in the driveway early in the evening before dinnertime, but never saw Fisher himself. |
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Description: Robert Pruitt represented Rick Gill's ex-wife in their divorce Stated Alibi: In his first interview, Rick Gill denied knowing where Pruitt lived or knowing either victim. Possible Motive: May have wanted revenge against Pruitt for how the divorce settlement came out in Gill's ex-wife's favor. Confirmed? Partially. Neighbors at the apartment complex saw children there Friday making a lot of noise. |
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Description: Secretary at Pruitt & Rayburn law offices Stated Alibi: Mira Lee said she was at her parents' home with a nephew and niece who were visiting. She claimed she was there Friday evening and all night. Possible Motive: No known motive Confirmed? Partially. Mira Lee's father, Oliver Lee, confirms Mira was with them through dinner and watching TV, but she went to the store at 8:30 p.m. and returned at 9:30 p.m. and remained the entire night. |
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Description: Wife of Robert Pruitt Stated Alibi: Vanessa Pruitt said she was at a family reunion in Florence from late afternoon Thursday, July 8 to Saturday, July 10 around 1:30 p.m. Possible Motive: Admitted that her marriage was troubled and she was considering divorce Confirmed? Tentatively. Parents Gerald and Dee Dee Hattin, confirmed she was with them or another family member the entire time from Thursday before dinner until Saturday after brunch, which ended about 1:30 p.m. |
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Description: Robert Pruitt's law partner and friend Stated Alibi: Gary Rayburn said he was home watching sports on TV. He claimed he went out briefly for snacks. Possible Motive: Was secretly dating Robert Pruitt's ex-wife, Gloria Bell Confirmed? No. Joe Fenton, convenience store clerk, remembered a man "not an old man and not a young kid" in the store, but could not identify him. Cash register receipts show cash purchase at 9:11 p.m. The security cameras were on and functional but had no tape in them. |
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Description: Former client of Robert Pruitt Stated Alibi: Jackie Woodruff said she was trying to find a job on the evening of Friday, July 9, at hotels and bars. Possible Motive: Angry at Robert Pruitt because he did not get her acquitted of assault charges, which led to her imprisonment. Further resented Pruitt for sending her a bill for legal services after she got out of jail. Confirmed? No. Randy Johnson, assistant manager at The Blind Pig Pub, recognized Jackie Woodruff from a photo array, but he routinely discards applications when not hiring and could not confirm when she came in. |
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