Witness Interview: Jim Taylor

Witness Interview: Jim Taylor

Jim Taylor gave the following official interview on February 21 following the discovery of Dale and Crystal Taylor's bodies.

N = Detective Terry Nelson
J = Jim Taylor

N: Mr. Taylor, we fully understand how difficult it is for you and your family today. You understand that it is necessary for us to ask these questions and get as much information as we can to be able to eliminate anyone in the family as a suspect.

J: Yes I do. I'm worried about Sandy. She's not holding up very well. Her parents will be here later today and that will help some I hope.

N: Mr. Taylor, one of the first things I want to clear up, is the differences in the timing on the morning of February second between your first interview and today.

J: All right.

N: When you filed the missing persons report with your wife, you stated that you got up about 2:30 a.m. Since then, you and your wife state that you actually got up much earlier than that, closer to 1:30 a.m.. How do you explain that?

J: Well, sir, I guess I hadn't thought it through as carefully when we talked on the 5th. Sandy and I did as you asked then, and made a list of everything we did through the first and second. I was obviously up closer to 1:30 a.m. The gas receipt is time stamped at 1:58 a.m.

N: Tell me again what you did that morning from the time you got up.

J: I got up shortly after Sandy, must have been about 1:35 or 1:40. Had a quick cup of coffee and took Shane's car over to the Shell station and filled it up. Like I said, the receipt says 1:58 a.m. I got back home shortly after 2:00 a.m. The Shell is just up Lamar right around the corner.

N: Did you go out again after that?

J: No. I helped Shane get the kids gear into the trunk then they left. I helped Sandy get the kitchen straightened up a bit and we went back to bed.

N: Did you hear Shane come back in?

J: No, I didn't.

N: When did you get up again?

J: At 7:30 a.m. Both Sandy and I got up then and I went to the office.

N: Was Shane at home at that time?

J: Yes. He was asleep.

N: You saw him?

J: Yes, his bedroom door was open. His car was out front, too.

N: When did you next see Shane?

J: Not until around 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon when I got back from the office.

N: What did Shane tell you about driving Crystal and Dale to the bus?

J: Not much. I think I asked if the kids got off okay and he said yes. That was it at that time. It wasn't until we realized they were missing that we got all the details.

N: When was it you realized that he'd argued with them?

J: When Crystal and Dale hadn't called us by Wednesday night, we were getting concerned and Shane told us what happened. He thought maybe that's why they hadn't called.

N: There was no argument or hostility at your house before he drove off with Crystal and Dale?

J: No, sir.

N: Mr. Taylor, why was it that Shane drove Dale and Crystal to the Big Star?

J: Well, sir, Sandy gets very upset when the kids are leaving for longer than a day or two and it's just easier all around on everyone if she doesn't actually see them off. That doesn't happen often. More than not either Sandy or the both of us went along with the kids to training or competitions.

N: Do you have anything new to add to the schedule you and Sandy have given us?

J: No. I think you have all the facts as best we can remember them.

N: You had a family dinner that Sunday night. How was everyone getting along then?

J: We were a little worried Shane would cause a scene, but he behaved well. Made a snide remark or two, but kept it in check. Dale and Crystal didn't seem upset by it. All in all it was a pleasant night.

N: I understand Shane went out that night, did anyone else leave the house?

J: No, the rest of us stayed home.

N: What time did Shane get back in?

J: It was right after the news, about 11:25 p.m. or so.

N: Were there any phone calls or visitors that night?

J: There were a few phone calls. Dale and Crystal both talked to friends, Christian and Maggie. Sandy called her folks and they talked for awhile. I believe that's all. Nobody came to the house.

N: Crystal and Dale had relatively little cash in their possession when we found them. What did they plan to do for funds in Colorado?

J: They had American Express traveler's checks with them. Sandy says those were in one of the bags. The tote bag that Crystal carries. It has a sort of hidden zipper pocket on the inside. That's where they were supposed to be.

N: We won't know if they were taken unless we can locate the luggage then. How much did they have in traveler's checks?

J: A total of a thousand dollars, five hundred for each of them. We have the numbers. Sandy always keeps a copy in case they get stolen.

N: Mr. Taylor, did you notice any scratches or cuts on either Mrs. Taylor or Shane in the day or so after the second?

J: No.

N: No one complained of any injuries, soreness, headaches?

J: No.

N: What can you tell me about Christian Chambers?

J: Dale's friend. Well, sir, they've been friends since they started school. He's been Dale's best friend I'd say. When they were younger they were inseparable, did everything together, except skating. Christian could skate and they'd hang out at the rink, but he wasn't into skating as a sport, no lessons or anything like that. When the kids started training in Memphis they didn't spend as much time together, but they stayed friends. Talked on the phone, helped each other with school work, actually I think Christian did much of Dale's work for him if you want to know the truth. They got together when Dale was here in Oxford.

N: They saw each other before Dale left this last time?

J: Oh yes. They went and saw Titanic just a few days before. I think that was the only time they got together this trip though.

N: Would you say Christian was envious of Dale, might have any reason to be angry with him?

J: Not that I can see. Those two never did fight much to speak of. Got along real well.

N: What about Maggie Jenkins, Crystal's friend. What can you tell me about Maggie?

J: She's a real sweet girl. Good friend to Crystal. She always seemed to understand Crystal. Crystal didn't like getting noticed in public and Maggie went along with that. They went to the movies a few times this trip, too.

N: Would Maggie have any reason to harm either Dale or Crystal?

J: Never. She's a shy, sweet little thing and doesn't have a mean bone in her. I'd be completely shocked if she had anything at all to do with what happened to Dale and Crystal.

N: I know you and Sandy have spent quite a bit of time going over the lists of skating contacts, friends, family, and the bus manifest. Is there anyone on those lists that you think might have a reason to hold a grudge against you, your family or Crystal and Dale?

J: No, sir. We didn't recognize anyone on the bus list. There just isn't anyone we've been able to identify with any reason to want to harm Crystal or Dale.

N: What about any of your business contacts?

J: Well, I've given you the list. I haven't had any business problems or disgruntled clients in years. There's nothing there I can see. Maybe you'll find something.

N: I understand Shane feels responsible for Crystal and Dale's murders. What can you tell me about that?

J: For all his faults and troubles, Shane's a good kid. He knows it wasn't the right or smart thing to do to just drop them off over there at the Big Star with no one around and leave. He knows better than that, and now he regrets it. He thinks if he had stayed there this wouldn't have happened, and he might just be right about that, too.

N: Do you blame Shane?

J: No, no, not blame, but, well you know, you'd like to turn back the clock and change things. I wish he'd stayed there, too.

N: Mr. Taylor, do you think Shane was involved in the murder, did he do this?

J: Now just a minute there, Detective. I never said anything like that and no, sir, I do not think so. In fact, you know if you think he did it, then maybe I better call my lawyer over here right now.

N: Mr. Taylor, we don't know who is responsible for Crystal and Dale's deaths right now. Shane was the last one to see them alive as far as we can determine. He did have an argument with them. We know he has had his share of problems. I'd have to say these questions need to be asked.

J: Maybe so. But I want a lawyer here for Shane if you are going to talk with him again.

N: That's up to you and Shane, Mr. Taylor, but we'd like to have your full cooperation. The sooner we can say that Shane or any other family member is not involved, the sooner we can get that behind us and go on.

J: I understand that, I understand that you have to look at the family in cases like this, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to give up my rights either. We'll do everything we can to help you, but we won't be harassed either.

N: No one wants to harass you or your family Mr. Taylor, we want to find the killer or killers of Crystal and Dale. Let's move on to the money you promised Shane for the CD. How much was that?

J: We agreed to give him twenty-five thousand.

N: He was very upset when he didn't get that wasn't he?

J: Yes, he was angry. He couldn't seem to understand that it was a delay not a broken promise. We've given him about half that now, though, and he'll have the rest in a week or so.

N: He didn't understand at the time that he'd be getting the money?

J: Yes, he understood that, he just felt it was unfair to make him wait for it.

N: I see. And when did you give him the first half of the money?

J: We sent a check for eleven thousand five hundred on February 4th to the company that pressed the CD for the rest of the copies. The remaining money goes to a distribution company, and like I said I'll have that in hand next week.

N: Is that a loan?

J: No. It's a gift. We want to help him out, even if he doesn't see that. I'd like him to understand that we love him, too, in spite of all the problems, but he can't quite seem to accept that.

N: Has Shane been using drugs again, Mr. Taylor?

J: Yeah, I'd say he has a few times. Not much though. I have to give him credit, he's been doing better than I expected with that diversion program. I'm upset about this latest news, hanging out at Dickerson's and with that fellow Woolworth. That's got to stop.

N: Is there any possibility Shane was high or drinking when he got home on Sunday night before he went to bed or when he got up and drove Crystal and Dale to the Big Star?

J: No sign of it. We'd have picked that up and he wouldn't have taken Crystal and Dale that's for certain.

N: I understand you Mr. Taylor. You've listened to the tape of the caller again. Any ideas on who that is?

J: None. I couldn't even be sure if that was a male or female voice myself. I understand you think it's male?

N: That's right, we do. No ideas who it could be?

J: No.

N: Let's move on to skating. I understand that you maintained a two bedroom apartment in Memphis near the skating rink for a few years, is that right?

J: Yes. When Crystal and Dale started training in Memphis with Mike and John they needed to be there most of the time. That's the easiest way to do that.

N: When did you stop leasing that apartment?

J: Let's see, that lease expired in May of 1996 I believe.

N: You used to stay with Crystal and Dale in Memphis?

J: Yes, either Sandy or I. Sometimes both of us. Every now and then Sandy's mother would go and stay with the kids if we couldn't for some reason.

N: Were there ever any incidents, run ins with neighbors that sort of thing?

J: Not that I remember. We didn't really know the neighbors. It was a nice quiet place, we spent most of the time we were there at the ice rink anyway.

N: Where did Dale and Crystal stay after you gave up the apartment?

J: With Allison Gallagher. She and her husband bought a nice big place and they had room for the kids to stay, so when they were in Memphis they stayed with Allison.

N: Did Dale and Crystal get along well with both of the Gallaghers?

J: Yes indeed. They are good people. Looked out for Dale and Crystal like family. They're in shock over this.

N: Did Dale or Crystal have any close friends, boyfriends or girlfriends in Memphis?

J: No. They didn't have time for relationships. When they went out, which wasn't often, it was more likely to be in a group and most of that group would be skaters. They dated here and there but nothing serious.

N: How did Dale and Crystal get along with each other?

J: Well enough to be one of the finest ice dancing duos to come along in years. They had their moments like most brothers and sisters do, but they were very close. Dale looked up to Crystal even though he was older. She always seemed to have more energy and enthusiasm and he relied on that to keep him going I think.

N: Tell me about their reactions when they realized they weren't going to make the Olympic team this year.

J: Crushed, hurt, embarrassed, they wanted to quit. Actually, I think it was Crystal that wanted to quit more than Dale did. She was very down on herself for awhile there, and Dale didn't make it any easier on her. He blamed her for knocking them out of the running. That's true, if she hadn't had that fall at the World's they probably would have been unbeatable for the rest of the year. It was an accident though, not her fault. Dale finally got over it and apologized to her, tried to make it up to her I think. I know he didn't want her to leave the sport. Crystal was the stronger skater of the two. Crystal could easily have gone into singles. Dale was best suited to ice dancing. They finally worked it out and made the decision to stick with it, go for the 2002 Olympics. It was the right thing for them to do.

N: How did you and Mrs. Taylor feel about losing out on Nagano?

J: Disappointed. I knew the kids had the talent to be on that team, it was unfortunate that slip happened when it did. The thing is though, they were so young. They had years ahead of them to compete and I've no doubt they'd have had a medal at the next games. The thing we didn't want them to do was quit.

N: You weren't angry with them?

J: Angry? No. They worked hard. I was very disappointed, it was a stupid accident. But that's what it was, an accident.

N: It was their decision not to quit?

J: Sandy and I let them know how we felt about it. They'd live to regret it if they walked away from the sport after so many years of training and with so much ahead of them. The alternative was to go to college and they could do that and skate, or wait until a few years down the road. If they quit skating, though, they'd lose their position and that's not something they'd get back. The decision was theirs, but it's what we wanted them to do, too.

N: You don't feel they were forced into that decision then?

J: No, I don't.

N: There weren't any hard feelings, rivalries between Dale and Crystal over that?

J: I think they worked all that out. Like I said, Dale was hard on Crystal for a few months. It was a tough year for them last year, but they did work it out.

N: How did their coaches feel about missing the Olympics and about Crystal and Dale leaving the sport?

J: As far as the Olympics, they were very, very supportive of Crystal and Dale. They didn't put any pressure on them over that at all. As far as leaving the sport, they talked it out with the kids quite a few times, I know they encouraged them not to give up. There are so many talented skaters that if Crystal and Dale had made the decision to quit training, they'd have had others to work with but it would be a few more years before they'd have championship level skaters again in Memphis.

N: How well did you get along with Crystal and Dale, Mr. Taylor?

J: I loved my kids. They knew it. We got along well. I probably spent more time with them than many fathers do, I coached them for years before they moved up to the Memphis club. Crystal and I especially had a very close relationship. I will miss her dearly. I loved those children and I was proud of them. I, I can't believe they are gone yet. It hasn't become real to me yet. I keep expecting to see them any minute.

N: Mr. Taylor, I understand you have life insurance policies on both Crystal and Dale?

J: Yes. One hundred thousand each with the automatic provision to triple the coverage when they turned 21. It's not that we needed the death benefit, the intent was to be certain that Dale and Crystal had the coverage when they became adults in the event of an accident or disability that might otherwise prevent them from getting good coverage. We wanted to be sure they had that.

N: Who are the beneficiaries, Mr. Taylor?

J: Sandy and I are the beneficiaries.

N: Are any of your relatives buried at the St. Peter's cemetery, Mr. Taylor?

J: I don't think so. None I know of. We have a family plot at the First Baptist church, I have a few family members buried there.

N: Mr. Taylor, do you have any guns or knives in the house?

J: Yes, we do. We have two rifles, one's a 30:30 Winchester, and the other's a Remington .22. We have a few fishing and hunting knives. Of course the kitchen knives. I'm not much of a hunter. Shane and I went a few times back when he was in high school, but both of us prefer fishing. We have a few good knives we take along for that.

N: Does Shane own any of these weapons?

J: Yes, the Remington's his and he has a good Wenger Swiss Army knife, a Master Fisherman. I gave him a nice Schrade-Walden lockback knife I got when I was a kid. They don't make those anymore.

N: We'll want to see those. Did Dale or Crystal own any weapons?

J: I don't think of them as weapons, but Dale has a Swiss Army knife, too, a Mountaineer. We got that for him for his twelfth birthday. Crystal didn't have anything like that.

N: When was the last time you saw any of these out Mr. Taylor?

J: Let me think, the guns we haven't used in years. The last time Shane and I went fishing was last October up at Sardis, so I guess that was it for the fishing gear and the knives.

N: Mr. Taylor, I have to ask this question. Did you have anything to do with the death of Crystal or Dale?

J: Absolutely not. I did not kill either one of them and I don't know who did. I want to know. I need to know. I want to see the person responsible for this pay for it.

N: Mr. Taylor, would you be willing to submit to a polygraph test?

J: That's just outrageous. I think I will talk my lawyer after all. I had nothing to do with Dale or Crystal's deaths and like I told you, I won't have this family harassed.

N: Thank you Mr. Taylor, I understand your feelings. I'm sorry that we have to do these things today. I have the search warrant here for the house. I'd like to go ahead with that now. We will need some lab samples from everyone in the family, too. The lab technicians will be here soon.

J: I do understand that you are only doing your job, Detective Nelson, this is not easy for any of us.