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Monday, November 24, 1997 Guest: Deputy Morgan Phillips   Opening Remarks:   Hi everyone. I just want to let you all know, that if I seem a little groggy or out of it, I'm real sorry. It's been an interesting last couple of days for me. Like waking up from a really weird dream or something. I'm slowly remembering things from the accident, but really bits a pieces at a time. Mostly images, but a few things have come back really crisp. There was that dummy that was dropped in front of the van. <shaking head tiredly> Real weird, but I know that it wasn't a person. I remember looking up and wondering' why anyone would throw a dummy in front of the van like that. But that's when we swerved, and then, I just don't remember much after that. Anyway, I can take some questions, but I don't really know how much of a help I can be. Things are still a little foggy.   Question and Answer Session:   Q: How fast were you going before you had the crash? A: The speed limit...maybe five over...probably 30 or 35 mph. I can't really say that I remember, but I assume we were doing the limit.   Q: Did you get a good look at the other man on the bridge or can you describe him to us? A: Funny thing about that. I know I saw someone up there, but I can't even really remember anything but an outline. It's really bits and pieces of pictures that I can't put together.   Q: After being in a coma for so long, how can you be so sure about what you saw? A: That's a good point, but some of what is coming back is so clear I don't doubt it at all. Other things are like in a haze, you know? It's really fuzzy, but I get some solid images and some pieces that don't seem to make sense. But, it's slowly coming back.   Q: Was the dummy wearing any clothes or had any human looking features on him? A: Well, when I first looked up, I thought it was a person, but as it fell closer, I could tell that it wasn't. But at first, we thought it was a body or something. But I could tell it wasn't. It was definitely a dummy of some sort...like a scarecrow or mannequin.   Q: Why wasn't the dummy found at the scene of the accident? A: I don't know. I...huh, no idea where it could've went... I know I saw it, because that's why we swerved. Thing was dropped or fell...somebody was on the bridge...<shaking his head> ...I don't know why they didn't find it. Maybe someone took it? I don't...I just don't really know to be honest.   Q: Were you and Schiff reluctant to do the transport without proper backup, or was this "normal" procedure? A: It was pretty normal. At least it didn't seem out of the ordinary...just a transport... Things were even going pretty well, the passengers weren't causing any disturbance just sitting in the back quiet. And so there really wasn't much to be concerned about...   Q: Can you give us a general description of the person on the bridge? A: I'm sorry, I only remember seeing a figure of someone on the bridge. I just remember seeing someone...like a flash almost at the corner of your eye.   Q: How high was the bridge from the rest of the road? A: Hmm...about 20 feet? Big enough for a large truck to go under, I'd say.   Q: If you close your eyes, can you "see" the person, perhaps-- please look closely at the sex of the person. Can you estimate height, weight, and sex now? A: I'll tell you, I remember riding along on that stretch, looking around...kinda day dreaming...<searching mind> I was thinking about the game. Vernon says, "look out!" I look up...I see a figure...not real large, but an outline, like the sun is all around it or at least that's how I'm seeing it in my memory. I look up. someone has dropped, pushed...a dummy...looked like a person at first, but as I looked more at it, no, it was definitely a dummy... I try to make out the person on the bridge...<closing eyes> <sighing in frustration> Just an outline, not even enough for me to give an description on.... No, I'm trying, but I can't see the face. I wish I could...I just don't see it. Maybe it'll come back to me, but I really, just don't see them...you know...that's still fuzzy...wires aren't crossing right or something. I'm sorry. I hate not being able to help you all on this.   Q: Could there have been more than one person? A: I don't think so...I only remember one outline...not two...but things are kind of unclear to me.   Q: What bits and pieces of memory that are coming to you about that day don't make sense? A: Well, it's not so much that they don't make sense...it's just the sequence is kind of weird. It's like getting a radio station but through a bunch of static. Just enough to get some of the words...but not enough to make out the whole song. What I remember really clear...comes through and makes sense...like the dummy...but at the same time...I can't imagine why anyone would throw a dummy at the van like that. I see gradual pictures in my mind. Like bits and fragments. Nothing totally clear...like that outline...I know...er...think I saw someone up there, but I can't really tell you anything about what they look like. It's like seeing an outline in the sun almost, I just can't explain. I can try to help with some other questions.   Q: Were you always lacking backup during the transports, or was this an exception due to the game? (also, was there any reason for the urgency of the transport?) A: No, we didn't usually lack backup, but there really wasn't any need for more than we had. The game made the transport easier to do because there would be less people on the roads during the game. Urgency, in the transport? Not that I recall. I mean, it seemed pretty routine.   Q: Just out of curiosity, can you remember the time you were in a coma? Sometimes people can remember that. A: Not really. When I came out of it, I didn't remember much. Sort of dreamlike, but at the same time, I didn't feel like much time had passed. Sometimes I think I could hear people in the room with me, but I'm not sure.   Q: Deputy, how well did you know Sheriff Lamar? Would you possibly know who his poker buddies were? A: Lamar? He was a good guy. Worked with him for a while. Great cop. Shame what happened to him. I feel awful for his family. Poker buddies, though...no, I just knew that he played every once in a while. Didn't know with who though.   Q: There was a dummy found in a dumpster, a "frat prank"...could you have fellow officers bring it by to see if you can ID it? A: Hmm, you'd have to ask Nelson to bring it in, but I might be able to ID it. Of course, I don't know if I'll know it from any other dummy, but I can try I guess.   Q: Deputy, were you working on any cases prior to the transport? A: Just the usual stuff. They were wrapping up the Knight case, so I was working thefts and such in the area. Nothing real serious, though. Petty theft, some bicycles stolen on campus. Pretty standard stuff.   Q: Do you know if Sheldon was in severe need (or want) of money? A: Not that I was aware of, no.   Q: Have you thought about undergoing hypnosis to try to remember that day a little more clearly? A: I hadn't really thought of it until y'all suggested it. I've just been really concentrating on trying to get out of the hospital. Although, I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to remember what all happened.   Q: Do you know of or know anything about Dick Dale, the gambler? A: No, I can't say that I do.   Q: Do you recall if any of your fellow officers were "out of town" that weekend? A: Well, I know that a bunch were at the game, a guy on the force was out of town with his family fishing, I think, other than that, I can't remember anyone being out of town.   Q: Do you know if Ed or Tony had any accomplices or allies? A: Accomplices? No...not that I know of...we were just transporting the guys though...they weren't any hassle...just kinda quiet. I only wish I could've been more help. This is kind of frustrating for me. Thank you all.