Tuesday, August 29, 2023 – 10:40 a.m.

Rob LaRouche is a student at the University of Mississippi's business school and is Michelle Prescott's boyfriend.

Detectives Armstrong and Murphy interviewed him at the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department.

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Detective S. Murphy
• Rob LaRouche

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for coming in this morning, Mr. LaRouche.

Rob LaRouche: That's okay, detective, but I don't know how I can help you.

Detective Murphy: First, Mr. LaRouche, would you state your name and address for the record, please?

Rob LaRouche: Sure. I'm Robert LaRouche, and I live at 144 B Elm Street.

Detective Armstrong: Are you a student at the university, Mr. LaRouche?

Rob LaRouche: Yes, sir. I'm in the five-year MBA program.

Detective Murphy: As you probably know, we're investigating the death of Kristi Waterson as a homicide.

Rob LaRouche: Yeah. That's what I heard. Michelle is pretty freaked out. She wants to stay with me instead of going back to the apartment.

Detective Murphy: Michelle?

Rob LaRouche: Yeah, Michelle Prescott, Kristi's cousin and roommate. I know you know that. Isn't that why I'm here?

Detective Armstrong: Why do you think we want to talk to you, Mr. LaRouche?

Rob LaRouche: Michelle and I are together. She was with me the night Kristi died. Isn't that what you want to ask about?

Detective Murphy: Tell us about that night, Mr. LaRouche. When did you and Michelle get together?

Rob LaRouche: She came over to my apartment.

Detective Murphy: What time was that?

Rob LaRouche: I'm not real sure. I think it was around 9:00 p.m. I try not to clock-watch, so it could have been earlier. I don't think it was later, though.

Detective Armstrong: Did you stay in that evening?

Rob LaRouche: Not right away. As soon as she got there, we went for a drive. I knew she wanted me to watch that dumb movie she'd picked out, and I thought I'd better do something to wake up first.

Detective Murphy: Where did you go on your drive?

Rob LaRouche: We went out Highway 7. We'd grabbed a couple of beers, and we were going out to Sardis Lake, but on the way, I decided to go down one of those county roads and explore.

Detective Armstrong: Wasn't it a bit dark to see anything?

Rob LaRouche: Yeah. I guess, but I have this thing about country roads. Love to go places I've never been before. It was a nice night, and I thought it would be fun just to drive around.

Detective Murphy: Did you stop anywhere?

Rob LaRouche: Nope, just kept driving.

Detective Armstrong: How long did you drive around?

Rob LaRouche: I don't know. Maybe 40 minutes, an hour.

Detective Murphy: So, what time did you get back?

Rob LaRouche: I don't know. We ordered some food for delivery right after we walked in the door. Maybe they have a record.

Detective Armstrong: Who did you order from?

Rob LaRouche: Landshark Delivery. Hey! They only deliver until 10:00 p.m., so obviously, we were back before then.

Detective Murphy: Did anyone see you when you were driving around?

Rob LaRouche: I don't know, but my car kind of stands out, so someone might have.

Detective Armstrong: What kind of car do you have?

Rob LaRouche: A 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric. The kids on campus recognize it.

Detective Armstrong: An electric vehicle, huh? You like it?

Rob LaRouche: You bet! It's great for the environment.

Detective Murphy: After you and Michelle got back to your apartment, did you stay in for the rest of the evening?

Rob LaRouche: Sure did. Michelle insisted I watch that dumb movie.

Detective Murphy: What was that?

Rob LaRouche: I don't know. Some boring period thing. Everyone with British accents. I kept dozing off, and she kept giving me the elbow. I couldn't wait until it was over.

Detective Armstrong: Then did she go home?

Rob LaRouche: No. She stayed the night. Left in the morning. I don't know what time.

Detective Murphy: Mr. LaRouche, how well did you know Kristi Waterson?

Rob LaRouche: I had her for a couple of classes. She was an instructor in the School of Business Administration, and that's my major. And then I'd run into her once in a while at their apartment when I was with Michelle.

Detective Murphy: How was she as a teacher, Mr. LaRouche?

Rob LaRouche: I've had better.

Detective Armstrong: Would you expand on that, please?

Rob LaRouche: Honestly?

Detective Murphy: Yes, honestly, please.

Rob LaRouche: She was half-assed. Great, if you just wanted an easy grade. Lousy, if you wanted to really learn something. Gave A's to people who never showed up if she liked them, especially the guys. I got a B.

Detective Murphy: You weren't one of the guys she liked?

Rob LaRouche: She like me fine, but not as much as some guys.

Detective Murphy: Meaning?

Rob LaRouche: It was no secret she dated students. She was a real piece of work.

Detective Murphy: Did you ever date her?

Rob LaRouche: Not on your life! She had a reputation. Liked it rough. Most of the guys who took her out were desperate for a good grade. Besides, the university frowns on students and faculty dating. I'm not into breaking the rules.

Detective Armstrong: Weren't you worried about your grade if you rejected her?

Rob LaRouche: She never approached me. I could have made it tough for her if she failed me even though I completed all her assignments and passed all the tests. Michelle asked if I ever went with her. I'm not sure she believed me when I told her no, but it's the truth.

Detective Armstrong: But you know the names of some who dated her, don't you? Who, Mr. LaRouche?

Rob LaRouche: Look, I don't want to get anyone in trouble.

Detective Murphy: But you want to help us find her killer, don't you?

Rob LaRouche: Yeah, but I don't think this guy would—

Detective Armstrong: The name, Mr. LaRouche.

Rob LaRouche: Yeah, well, I know she and Hunter Nelson were seeing each other for a while, but that stopped several months ago.

Detective Murphy: Who broke it off?

Rob LaRouche: I don't know for sure. It's all just talk, but I heard he broke it off. Got too rough for him.

Detective Murphy: Who else?

Rob LaRouche: That's all. I heard there was a new one—a student—but never heard a name.

Detective Murphy: When was the last time you saw Kristi Waterson, Mr. LaRouche?

Rob LaRouche: The weekend before she was— before she died, when I picked up Michelle to go to a movie.

Detective Armstrong: How did she and Michelle get along?

Rob LaRouche: Oh, they got along okay.

Detective Murphy: Just okay?

Rob LaRouche: Michelle didn't say too much about it, but I could tell she was bugged by Kristi's lifestyle, like embarrassed, you know? I think Michelle was afraid people would think she was like Kristi.

Detective Murphy: And is she?

Rob LaRouche: Not on your life! She's a real lady. Into artsy stuff. Works hard. Just sort of tolerated Kristi 'cause they're cousins and lived together.

Detective Armstrong: Would she do something drastic to get away from Kristi's reputation?

Rob LaRouche: You mean you think she might have killed Kristi? No way! She hates violence. That's why she picked out the movie the other night. She knew my choice would be lots of shooting and car chases—just not her style.

Detective Murphy: Who else would want Kristi dead?

Rob LaRouche: I don't have a clue, detective. I really didn't know that much about her life.

Detective Armstrong: Did Michelle ever mention anyone who'd like Kristi out of their hair?

Rob LaRouche: No, Kristi wasn't what we concentrated on when we were together, you know?

Detective Murphy: As you know, Mr. LaRouche, this is an ongoing investigation. We may need to talk to you again.

Rob LaRouche: Sure, any time. Glad to help if I can.

Detective Armstrong: If you think of anything else, give us a call, will you?

Rob LaRouche: Sure thing.

Detective Murphy: Okay, thanks, Mr. LaRouche. Goodbye.

Rob LaRouche: Bye.

Interview ended – 11:17 a.m.