Monday, September 22, 1997
 
Guest:  Brief Q & A with Elizabeth Jones and Mickey 
Nelson (Mayor's Office)
Sheriff Lamar rescheduled to Tuesday, September 23 due 
to technical system difficulties
 
Q:  Regarding the accident:  is there a chance it was 
planned in order to bring about this escape?
A:  We don't know yet, but so far it seems to be an 
unfortunate accident.  The vehicle is in the County 
garage and is being examined thoroughly for mechanical 
failure or foul play.  There were no witnesses to the 
accident.  Deputy Phillips may or may not be able to 
shed some light.  He is still in a coma at Baptist 
Memorial Hospital.
 
Q:  Were there any wounds on the officers doing the 
transporting that were inconsistent with an auto 
accident?
A:  No.  The drivers side of the van was hardest hit 
and most damaged.  Deputy Schiff died on impact.
 
Q:  Why weren't the convicts hurt or were they?
A:  They likely were.  Blood was also found in the 
back of the van.  We do not know how seriously one or 
both might be at this time.  So far there are no 
reports of anyone seeking medical assistance in the 
state for potential injuries.
 
Q:  Were they (prisoners) in back vs front seats?
A:  The vehicle was a police transport van.  The 
prisoners were in the back.  The impact of the crash 
caused a break between the front cab and the van on 
the drivers side.  This is how Pierce and Phelps were 
able to reach through the back to the front to get 
Deputy Schiff's gun belt and shirt. On the weapons.  
Both Deputies would have had one but only Deputy 
Schiff's was taken as Phillips could not be reached 
through the van / cab breach.  It is a .357 magnum 
handgun.
 
Q:  Was Schiff driving?
A:  Deputy Schiff was driving and he was killed.  The 
drivers side is what sustained the impact into the 
railroad bridge.  Likely killed on impact.
 
Q:  How would prisoners get his shirt during crash?
A:  See above.  The cab and van were split open, 
twisted in the roll that allowed reaching Deputy 
Schiff but not Phillips.
 
Q:  How were the cuffs removed?
A:  The keys were obtained from the deputy -- they got 
them with the rest of the things they took from Deputy 
Schiff.  (Note: they were cuffed hands front for 
safety in the van.)
 
Q:  Cuffs were found where, again?
A:  In the back of the van.
 
Q:  Were cuffs fingerprinted in case an accomplice 
staged accident?
A:  No unidentified prints were found on the cuffs  
Additionally, there would not have been time for an 
accomplice to help do this.
 
Q:  Does Anthony Phelps only have his biological 
father?
A:  Phelps father and stepfather are both living in 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
 
Q:  Isn't his mother dead?  So his parents were 
divorced and mother remarried?
A:  His mother committed suicide.  The mother 
remarried right after her divorce from his father.  
She had had an affair with her new husband before that 
divorce.
 
Q:  Where was Anderson during all this?
A:  He's on his own, not on the force, working with 
Detective Armstrong on the PI firm.  No reason to 
suspect any involvement.
 
Q:  Did the two perps know each other from that bar 
(Proud Larry's) they both frequented?  It seems they 
both might have known Victoria ...and Purity Knight 
from the bar.
A:  They may have.  Both Phelps and Pierce have likely 
been there at the same time.  No one from Proud 
Larry's is aware of the two associating with each 
other.  Both would have known Victoria.
 
Q:  Did the barmaid (Victoria) ID Tony by any other 
name?
A:  No, only Tony and Anthony.
 
Q:  What does Victoria know about "Rory" myth?
A:  She was to be interviewed yesterday and did not 
show up.  She is rescheduled.  Earlier interviews at 
Proud Larry's show no one knew Rory.
 
Q:  Wouldn't the shirt from the car accident be 
bloody?
A:  Yes.  It likely did have blood on it.  Pierce was 
in a white T-shirt and Phelps in orange - both stand 
out.  Don't know why they took shirt, could have 
washed it out someplace, we don't know.
 
Q:  What size was the shirt ?
A:  I'd say large - extra large, Deputy Schiff was a 
big guy.  But either could have put it on even if not 
a perfect fit.  Our witness was not close enough to 
make those kind of distinctions.
 
Q:  Why would escaped convicts abduct Macy?
A:  We don't know.  If she were recognized as the 
Sheriff's daughter.......  Perhaps as a hostage to 
escape......  unknown at this time.
 
Q:  The witness was sure there were only two guys, no 
female?
A:  That is our current information.  No one has been 
able to place Macy after she left the record store.
 
Q:  Did music store clerk notice Macy talking to 
anyone
A:  No.
 
Q:  How far is the mall from the railroad bridge?
A:  It is within walking distance.  About a mile.