Witness Interview: Marty Davis

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Witness Interview: Marty Davis: Davis is the development director for ChildFind in Jackson. He was interviewed by telephone.

D = Marty Davis
N = Detective Nelson

N: Thanks for taking this call. We have a number of questions for you today.
D: Okay. Shoot.
N: Let's start with ChildFind. Can you describe it?
D: We're an organization supporting families with missing children. Basically we just offer them assistance, like doing the shopping for them and other errands, we have low-cost counseling, and we can help put them in touch with other organizations. Basically we do everything we can to give them the strength to keep looking for their kids.
N: And you're the development director?
D: Yes.
N: How long have you worked there?
D: Since, oh, 1993. Yes, July 1993. The foundation got started in 91, but they weren't big enough to hire staff at that point.
N: So it's a big organization?
D: We've got three paid staff, we cover cases in this state and we've got volunteers in Memphis and New Orleans as well.
N: Are you currently doing anything with the Macy Lamar case?
D: Normally I don't deal with day to day casework - I'm mostly concentrated on fundraising. But I do know we're trying to help Mrs. Blanchard get through this terrible time - some volunteers have been to her place a couple of times, just to help clean up and sort through mail and answer calls, and I think she asked us for some referrals as far as counseling goes. We've received a number of donations on her behalf and I know we've kept her updated on them.
N: What do you know about the donation from Mr. Chambeau?
D: He gave us some land, I think it was back in 1991. I wasn't here but from my understanding it was really what got us off the ground.
N: Have you ever met Mr. Chambeau?
D: No.
N: So do you handle the checks for the land? The rent?
D: Yes. We get them through Moore Atlantic.
N: And do you decide how the property is used?
D: No. There's a bar there and I think it was just decided, when we got the land, that we'd let it stay. I understand it's a fairly successful bar, I think it's been in business for 20-odd years or something. I guess if we ever needed the land for something else we might consider it, but, you know, at this point we aren't really in a position financially to build anything. The guy pays his rent, so we're happy.
N: Have you ever spoken with Mr. Beck?
D: Yes, I met him once, just after I took the job. I went out to take a look at the property and met him. Other than that, that's it - we don't have a need for much contact.
N: Do you know anything about any kind of gambling operations on the property?
D: No.
N: Mr. Beck didn't mention any possible gaming activities?
D: No.
N: Have you ever received any other funds from the bar?
D: You mean aside from rent? No.
N: All right. Let's go back to Mr. Chambeau. You said you've never met him.
D: Right.
N: What about Aimee Harberson?
D: Yes. She's a friend of Kelley's, I've known her for a couple of years now.
N: How long have you known Ms. Wagner?
D: We went to high school together, we go way back.
N: OK. So you say you've known Aimee for a couple of years? Would you say you're friends?
D: Sure. I mean, whenever she's here we get together, it's pretty casual.
N: Has she ever mentioned Mr. Chambeau to you?
D: I think she knows him, yeah. I've heard her mention him once or twice, but it was just kind of in passing. I couldn't tell you when it was.
N: Can you give us any details at all? Is Mr. Harberson romantically involved with Mr. Chambeau?
D: No. I don't think so, at least. I remember she said he was helping her out with some money, she didn't say exactly why. I think it was more a business thing - she wanted to go into business with him, or something. I guess he's pretty rich and she was hoping to get money from him to start her own business or something. I really don't remember though - I think it must have been a year ago she mentioned him.
N: She hasn't talked about him recently?
D: No.
N: What about the night of November 8?
D: November 8? That was the weekend they were here, I think - Kelley and Aimee. We were all going to go out but then Aimee was sick or something. It was just Kelley and me, we went to the Blue Turtle.
N: Did Kelley mention anything to you about Aimee that night? Anything unusual?
D: No. She just said she didn't feel like going out and we went by ourselves. We didn't talk about her or anything. It was kind of a while ago, so I don't remember too well.
N: Have you seen Ms. Harberson since then?
D: No.
N: What about Ms. Wagner?
D: She was up last weekend and we got together for dinner.
N: When was the last time you saw Ms. Harberson?
D: I guess it must have been in October some time. She came to stay with her brother one weekend, I think it was the first weekend in October.
N: Have you ever met Ms. Harberson's brother?
D: Hal? Yeah. Aimee took me to the restaurant a couple of times, and I've gone a couple of times after that. He usually comps me a drink.
N: Have you ever met Mr. Harberson away from the restaurant?
D: No.
N: All right, Mr. Davis. Is there anything else you can add?
D: No, sir.
N: Okay. If you think of anything, give us a call.