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Tuesday, March 17, 1998
Guest: Christian Chambers
Opening Remarks:
It's been kind of hard. He was a good friend, and we
were close...
<thinking>
I've heard some rumors though that have upset me
deeply about all of this. If Dale's death wasn't horrible
enough, people have been smearing his name and mine by
saying we were gay and involved, which is untrue. We were
just close. There was nothing more, sure I helped him out
a lot, but that's what friends do, right? I mean, sure
sometimes it seemed like Dale was just using me, but he
helped me out when I was battling my drinking problem. So
I mean, it wasn't like he didn't do anything for me. But
anyway, this has been very hard on everyone. Dale was a
good guy.
I guess I can take your questions now.
But I felt I needed to straighten out the rumors
first.
Question and Answer Session:
Q: Who did you hear rumors from?
A: Well, I surf the net, I've seen what's been said on
the site. I found it very hurtful to see that people
thought Dale and I were gay. We were just friends.
Q: Why do you have two cars? Is one your parents' or
something?
A: Well, I really only drive the Beamer, but I had the
Honda before I got the Beamer. They are both my cars. I
usually use the Honda when the Beamer's in the shop or
I've loaned it out to a friend.
Q: Exactly what did you witness be specific?
A: Witness? I'm just here to give some background
information on my friend... Oh! You mean the screen name?
That's just the name they told me to use when I was
online tonight. I would've used my own handle, but I was
asked to use the A Witness one to help with the interview
and not create confusion.
Q: How well did you know Crystal?
A: When we were younger I knew her pretty well, but as we
got older I didn't see her as much. Dale and Crystal were
always training for their next event. She was always real
sweet though. I just didn't talk to her much in high
school. I was really Dale's friend, and not so much
hers.
Q: Was the Beamer in the shop the time of the
murder?
A: No, it wasn't.
Q: Christian were you jealous of Dale?
A: Jealous? No. Not really, I mean, I guess sometimes,
with all of his attention, but to be honest, I really
would've hated being in his place. I'm not one for
athletics really. I like art, music, literature, and the
net. I love to play on the net. Dale never had time for
stuff like that. I always ended up doing it for him. He
had no life. I prefer to be left in solitude to do my own
thing, and Dale always had people watching everything he
did. Especially his Dad.
Q: When was the last time you heard from Dale?
A: Well, I called him the night he was leaving for
Colorado. I was calling to say good-bye and wish him luck
with the new coaches. I called around...hmm...5 I guess,
because his parents were having that big good-bye dinner
thing they did every time Dale and Crystal were ready to
leave to go somewhere...training or competition...
Q: Do you have any other friends besides Dale?
A: Yeah, a few, more online than anywhere else. I talk to
a lot of people online, 'specially Kiss. She's a doll.
But I hang out with a few people...not many though. I
like the online relationships a lot because you can meet
so many different people from so many different
places.
Q: Is your BMW black? Ever get either car dyed?
A: It's a dark charcoal grey color. No dye jobs, I'm
afraid <grinning>. Or paint jobs either. I keep her
in great shape. I love my car.
Q: Do you have any friends that you don't get along
with?
A: Well, I mean there are times I get a little frustrated
with my friends, but I get along with them pretty well
most of the time. They wouldn't really be my friends if I
didn't get along with them. Right?
Q: What is your opinion of Dale and Cyrstal's
relationship? Were they close?
A: They were real close as far as I could tell. Dale and
Crystal had a complex relationship though. They were real
close and all, but they had their fights too. Their Dad
was always expecting so much of them. He was always
demanding that they do their best, and basically tried to
shelter either of them from having a life outside the
rink. And sometimes that would cause Dale and Crystal to
get really tense and even fight with each other.
Especially after they placed seventh. I remember Dale
telling me how hard his Dad came down on them for that.
Dale was really upset about it, and his performance, plus
he was really angry with Crystal because she wouldn't go
through with the lift at the end. Dale also complained
that Crystal was talking about dropping skating all
together. He was NOT happy about that. And his Dad was
less happy about it than he was.
Q: Did anyone borrow either of your cars the night
Dale and Crystal left for training?
A: No. I didn't lend out either of my cars that
evening.
Q: What were Dale's plans for his future?
A: He was really driven...he wanted fame...and the
endorsements. He wanted to win the gold for the money. He
thought that if he got the money from the endorsements
and then went pro he could have it all. He even thought
that when he got ready to retire he might try
sportcasting...like Dick Buttons or Scotty Hamilton...or
something. But he never seemed to want to actually work
for it. He always seemed to lean on other people to do
all the work and he wanted the free ride. But he tried, I
guess. I mean, he did get really upset when he wasn't
doing well. But I think he seemed to blame Crystal for
when he screwed up.
Q: What was Josh Tatum's reaction when he found the
jacket and the knife?
A: (Answered by Elizabeth Jones) From Officer Vittel's
comments (who interviewed him) and what Detective Nelson
had to say, I think he was very freaked and also very
excited about finding something so important.
Q: Did you have any involvement in Dale and Crystal's
death, any roll at all?
A: <looking shocked> No, of course not! I wouldn't
have done anything to Dale, I was always helping him
out...why would I hurt him?
Q: Do you and your friends do drugs and how many knew
the car was in the shop?
A: The car wasn't in the shop. And no, none of my friends
do drugs nor do I.
Q: Did you ever see Dale with a knife? Do you know if
he owned one? Do you own one?
A: Yes, Dale had a knife. He used it for sporting and
stuff, like hunting.
Q: If Dale called his Dad saying he did something
stupid, how do you think his Dad would react? Also,
Christian, do you own a knife too?
A: Dale's Dad? Depends on what he said... Sorry, I
thought...oh...yes, I own a knife as well. A hunting one,
hardly ever use it though. Dale's Dad always expected so
much from Dale. That's why I always helped out. His Dad
would go ballistic at times when Dale would screw up. I
even had to cover for him once when he hit a tree in the
car. I said I was driving so his Dad wouldn't find out.
He was terrified that his Dad would flip out, so I said
that it wasn't a big deal, I'd say I was driving and take
the blame. So I paid for the damage, and the ticket, and
Dale's Dad never found out. Dale's Dad could be really
hard on him, so I just felt it wasn't such a big deal to
take the blame.
Q: You said you helped Dale out alot. Can we assume
that if Dale called you, in need of help, that you would
do whatever you could for him?
A: Yeah, I helped him out a lot. Did some papers for him,
helped him out of jams, spotted him some cash when he
needed it. I'd do what I could for him within reason.
Sometimes I think he didn't really appreciate what I did
for him. He was always so busy though, so I let it slide
a lot.
Q: Did Dale ever repay you for the ticket and
damages?
A: No, but it wasn't a big deal. I mean, he didn't have a
job to pay me back, and it wasn't like he could go to his
Dad for the money. His Dad would've gone nuts. Anyway, he
didn't have the cash to pay me back. But it really wasn't
a big deal.
Q: Did Dale call you the night of the murder, after
midnight?
A: No, he didn't. I hadn't heard from him since I called
him the night before he left. Well, I have to get going.
I hope I've helped in some way.
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