Joel Fisher alibi canvass
Following the interview with Joel Fisher, the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department conducted a witness canvass to try to corroborate Fisher's alibi.
They spoke to people in the area of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (413 South 14th Street), where Joel Fisher said he worked the day and evening of July 9, 2021. They also canvassed along the route between that location and the Fishers' residence (2109 Harris Drive).
Investigators were looking for potential witnesses who might have seen Joel Fisher on the night of July 9, 2021.
The interviews summarized are some of the most typical or relevant to the investigation and are representative of all interviews conducted.
Brill
James Brill
Guess Hall, Room 212, University of Mississippi
Brill, 23, works Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at High Point Coffee, 265 North Lamar.
Brill said the café was busy for most of the afternoon, and he did not recall seeing Fisher park his car nearby.
Brill said he didn't notice anyone or anything unusual when he left at about 7:15 p.m.
Hibbins
Marylee Hibbins
228 Shady Oaks Circle
Hibbins, 36, owns and operates a ladies boutique at 265 North Lamar.
Hibbins said she was concerned on July 9 about people parking along Lamar for the Rib Cage Street Party because she was afraid they would take up all the spaces and wouldn't leave room for shoppers to park.
She said she noticed several vehicles parked along Lamar for "a few hours before closing" at 6:00 p.m. but didn't remember their makes or models. She said there were "a couple of big trucks and a hatchback or something."
Kousopolis
Debbie Kousopolis
122 Cypress Circle
Kousopolis, 17, works Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Newk's Eatery, 1309 University Avenue.
Kousopolis said she recalled Fisher coming in on the night of July 9. She said she knows Fisher because he is a regular customer and sometimes brings his child, Charlie, who Kousopolis described as "the cutest little boy ever."
Kousopolis said Fisher arrived that evening after her break and before closing but can't remember exactly when. She estimated it was between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.
She said he ordered a Royal sandwich with a side of mac and cheese to go, instead of his usual turkey breast sandwich, no mayo, with Tippah County caviar. She said he told her he was treating himself because his wife and son were at the street party, and he was on his own for supper.
Nelson
Anna Jean Nelson
100 Azalea Gardens, Unit 321
Nelson, 73, is married to Darryl Nelson, of the same address, and knows Fisher through her work with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.
Nelson confirmed that Fisher helped stuff envelopes for a mailing from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Nelson's husband picked her up from the office at 6:00 p.m., and she said when she left, Fisher was still there, filing correspondence.
She described Fisher as "very sweet and helpful."
Rocchioli
Roxanne Rocchioli
702 Summerset Drive
Rocchioli, 46, is a professor in the art department at the university and is not married. She is a volunteer coordinator for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and confirmed that Fisher assisted with a mailing on July 9, arriving at the council offices at 4:00 p.m.
When Fisher expressed a desire to stay later in order to finish another project, Rocchioli agreed to come back after doing some shopping to lock up. Rocchioli has a key to the council office, and Fisher does not.
Rocchioli estimated that she finished shopping at about 7:00 p.m. and arrived at the council office by 7:10 p.m. Fisher was ready to leave, and together they switched off the lights and exited the office, with Rocchioli locking it behind them.
Rocchioli said she then got into her vehicle, which was parked immediately outside the office, and said Fisher was walking around the corner to get his car when she drove away.
Seton
Chris Seton
2111 Harris Drive
Chris Seton, 34, lives in a home next door to Joel Fisher and his family.
Seton said he and his wife, Kathy, went out to dinner at about 6:30 p.m. on July 9 and returned at about 9:00 p.m. He said he does not recall seeing Mr. Fisher or his car or any lights or activity at the house.
Seton added that "Joe and Delia are real nice folks."
Kathy Seton
2111 Harris Drive
Kathy Seton, 36, is married to Chris Seton and lives next door to Joel Fisher and his family.
Seton said she and her husband went out to dinner and recalled "maybe" seeing Joel Fisher's hatchback in the driveway when they returned at around 9:15 p.m. She said Fisher sometimes parks in the garage, so she isn't sure.
She didn't recall seeing any lights or activity at the Fisher household. She said she "hustled inside" and can't remember any specifics.
Taege
Amanda Taege
2107 Harris Drive
Taege, 44, lives next door to Joel Fisher and his family. She works at the Georgia-Pacific plant and said she and the Fishers often help each other out with babysitting, as she is a single mom and her son, Jack, is the same age as the Fishers' child, Charlie.
Taege said she was outside in the front yard playing with Jack from about 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on July 9 and didn't recall seeing either of the Fishers' vehicles leave or arrive. She remembered Delia Fisher talking about going to the street party at the Rib Cage and assumed that's where she was.
At 6:00 p.m., Taege took her son inside and began fixing dinner. She said she saw a couple of cars go past but didn't notice whether either car belonged to the Fishers.
When Taege went outside after dinner at about 7:30 p.m. to pick up a toy her son had left out there, she saw the Fishers' Honda Civic hatchback in the driveway but didn't see any of the Fishers.
She said the front porch light of the Fishers' home was on, but she didn't see or hear any further activity at the house.
