Thursday, February 3, 2000 - 2:00 p.m.

The witness, W. Ronald Douglas, was the victim's attorney. Sheriff's Detectives Sam Murphy and Ted Armstrong interviewed Mr. Douglas at his office, 1102 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, MS.

M = Det. Sam Murphy
A = Det. Ted Armstrong
D = W. Ronald Douglas

M: For the record, could you please state your name and your relationship to the victim?

D: My name is William Ronald Douglas and I was Devlin Beauchamp's attorney.

M: When was the last time you spoke with your client before his death?

D: He came by the Friday before his death. I believe that was the 14th.

A: And what was the meeting about?

D: Now you know that I can't go into details about our meeting since that is privileged information. I can tell you that it was a personal matter, unrelated to the restaurant.

M: Within the bounds of client-attorney privilege, can you tell us about any problems that Devlin Beauchamp might have been having?

D: No, I can't think of anything. Financially, I believe he was doing well and had no money problems. Although, you'd have to talk to his accountant to get the real details on that. And his personal life was in pretty good shape from what I know.

A: You mentioned his finances. Who stands to gain from his death?

D: I'm not going to go about finding motives for you, Detective Armstrong. But, if you are asking questions about Devlin's will, I don't think anyone would be surprised at its contents. As with any limited liability partnership, Carl Dixon will receive all rights and clearances to the Home Plate restaurant and all its equipment, properties, et cetera. Most of Devlin's personal effects will eventually go to his half-brother, Jordan Rodale. There are various other stipulations in the will. Devlin wanted some money to be given to local charities. A little bit to the Oxford High School baseball team. A little bit to the local softball leagues for new uniforms. Just the usual stuff in a will, really.

A: So his brother gets all the personal stuff. Does he get any amount of money?

D: I can't divulge the details of the will until it is opened and read. I'll give you some general information but dollar figures and specifics can't be mentioned unless you get a court order.

A: But, he gets some?

D: Jordan gets most of Devlin's personal effects and yes, some money.

M: How would you characterize the nature of Devlin and Jordan's relationship?

D: Well, they certainly weren't close. Of course, the mother's will really destroyed any hope they had. When Margie Rodale left everything to Devlin, there was just no chance. Jordan sued for some of the estate and we eventually gave him a few odds and ends, mainly just to get him to leave us alone.

M: And did that appease Jordan Rodale?

D: To a degree. But, there was always something new that he wanted. One time, he decided that he just had to have his mother's old armoire. Then, another time, he called up and wanted an old chifforobe. Lately, he's been asking about some diaries she kept. I'm sure that next month, it would have been something else.

A: Diaries, you say?

D: Yes. He had been inquiring about getting some diaries or journals or something. Some papers of some sort. I'm not familiar with the details, but I know that Devlin turned him down flat. Then, Jordan called me, thinking I could get them somehow.

A: Why do you think Jordan wanted the diaries?

D: I'm not going to speculate on Jordan's motives. You'd have to ask him that.

M: What about Mr. Beauchamp's partner? Carl Dixon?

D: What about him? They argued from time to time, like all partners, but they seemed to get along. As I mentioned, the ownership of Home Plate was essentially a limited liability partnership. So, Dixon will eventually receive everything from the business. It's what corporate law stipulates and Devlin himself stipulated that in his will.

M: Was Devlin planning any new business ventures? New restaurants? Maybe selling that barbecue sauce in grocery stores or something?

D: I can't go into any of that.

M: Will you tell us if Devlin had received any offers from outside investors or anything?

D: No.

A: No, he didn't get any offers or no, you won't tell us.

D: No, I can't tell you.

M: Okay, I guess that's about as far as we're going to get for now. Can you think of anyone who would want Devlin out of the way?

D: No, I'm afraid I can't.

M: Well, thanks for your time then.

End interview: 2:20 p.m.