YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
 
PRESS STATEMENT

Sheriff Charles Lamar has requested that the following 
statement be released in order to clarify recent 
allegations made in the local press about Lamar and 
Aimee Clarice Harberson, an employee of the Office of 
the Yoknapatawpha County Assessor.
 
"I want to assure the public that my relationship with 
Ms. Harberson has in no way affected my duties as a 
peace officer in this county," Lamar said, explaining 
his willingness to be so candid with the public.
 
"My relationship with Ms. Harberson dates back to fall 
of 1996. The assessor's office was broken into on the 
night of September 3, and shortly afterward a new alarm 
system was installed. I stopped by to personally 
oversee activation of the system and met Ms. Harberson. 
We began seeing each other on a social basis for 
lunches and other outings but were not romantically 
involved until January of 1997," Lamar said.
 
"My relationship with Ms. Harberson certainly 
contributed to the deterioration of my relationship 
with my former wife, Caroline Blanchard, but was by no 
means the first problem that had occurred in the 
marriage," Lamar continued. "As you know, Mrs. 
Blanchard and I are currently separated and she has 
filed divorce papers. Ms. Harberson and I continue to 
be romantically involved. We live separately and have 
no plans to move in together or marry."
 
"I am as upset about Macy's continued disappearance as 
Mrs. Blanchard, but I find it unfortunate that she 
feels it necessary to drag personal issues into the 
discussion," Lamar said. "My relationship with Ms. 
Harberson is in no way related to the horrible 
circumstances of recent weeks."
 
"Ms. Harberson and I are complying fully with 
investigators on the case," Lamar concluded. "We are 
both extremely upset and hope Macy can be brought home 
safely."