Investigators took your questions to the people involved in the Philip Fontaine homicide investigation to get their answers.
Gerald Archer
Detective JB asked Gerald Archer:
Do you have anything to add in regard to Philip and Bruno's altercation in the bank or any other information to share regarding them?
Gerald Archer responded:
I believe I've said all that needs to be said about that unfortunate incident.
Joey Beecher
Detective JB asked Joey Beecher:
Do you know anything about the affair between Coleman and Grant's mother Selena?
Joey Beecher responded:
Mr. Fontaine didn't pay me to talk. He paid me to do what he asked and keep my mouth shut.
Whatever happened between those two, Mr. Fontaine had his reasons for getting rid of her, and he also had plenty of reasons to hate that Coleman.
Bruno Coleman
Detective JB asked Bruno Coleman:
Where were you on the night of Philips murder, did you perhaps take a trip to Philip's to finally have it out with him, take him to task for his business practices and how he was raising Grant?
Bruno Coleman responded:
I had nothing to do with Philip Fontaine's murder, and I resent the suggestion.
That night, I was having a confidential meeting. I didn't mention it at first because it was secret for a reason, and it wasn't relevant to the murder investigation. I understand the detectives now know the identity of the person I met with that night, which exonerates me completely.
Note: Bruno Coleman declined to answer a question about his relationship with Grant Fontaine's mother.
Ashley Fontaine
Detective Baelord asked Ashley Fontaine:
Do you and Grant have something going on? Romantically or otherwise?
Ashley Fontaine responded:
Grant is my stepson and my friend. Losing Philip like that has been terribly painful for both of us. We've leaned on each other and supported each other throughout this whole ordeal. I know he's been a great comfort to me, and I hope I have been to him.
We're certainly not romantically involved. Of course not. That would just be inappropriate.
Grant Fontaine
Detective Sunflower asked Grant Fontaine:
Did you ever see your father hurt Ashley or any other woman in your presence?
Grant Fontaine responded:
No, never. He was a jerk and a liar and a cheater. He yelled a lot at everyone all the time.
But I never saw him physically hurt Ashley, my mother, or any other woman.
Karen Lewis
Detective JB asked Karen Lewis:
Was Grant really Philip's son?
Karen Lewis responded:
Yes, of course, in every way that matters. Whether Mr. Fontaine was his biological father, I'm sure I wouldn't know. That is not the sort of thing Mr. Fontaine ever discussed with me.
Note: Bruno Coleman declined to answer a question on this topic.
Detectives Armstrong & Murphy
Detective JB asked Detectives Armstrong and Murphy:
Why did you stop looking at Bruno for the murder. After all he didn't have an alibi for that night?
Detectives Armstrong and Murphy responded:
Mr. Coleman was with farmer John Franklin on the night Philip Fontaine was killed.
Given Mr. Franklin's statement, the lack of physical evidence placing Mr. Coleman at the scene, and the existence of stronger suspects, we focused our attention elsewhere.