Warren Commission (15 of 26): Hearings Vol. XV (of 15)United States. Warren Commission
History
Warren Commission (15 of 26): Hearings Vol. XV (of 15)
United States. Warren Commission
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963 -- Assassination; Oswald, Lee Harvey
We have never thought it wise to try to hide from the press the
course of investigation except as it might interfere with the further
investigation of a crime.
We have at the end of the hallway in the CID, the pressroom. When we
remodeled the city hall, we purposely had glass doors put in all the
bureaus and in the offices so that there could be no accusations that
underhanded things or unlawful force or intimidations were used against
these people.
We have always considered that the press was entitled to know the
news, and that as long as it didn’t interfere with the course of an
investigation, we have allowed them out at the scene of crimes, but
have kept them back from places where they might disturb evidence and
this sort of thing. But have never tried to exclude them from knowledge
of what was going on.
We make offense reports on every crime that is committed, and these
offense reports are subject to being looked at by the press. They go
over them nearly every morning looking for stories.
Sometimes they will find one that they want to ask someone about. We
have always tried to cooperate with the press.
Mr. HUBERT. It is your thought then that the mass confusion which has
been described, which existed in the hallway of the third floor at
least, did not actually interfere with Captain Fritz’ investigative
steps excepting insofar as it made it difficult to move Oswald?
Chief BATCHELOR. Well, it increased the difficulties; yes, but it
didn’t actually interfere with the investigation. It added to the
confusion, but as far as the press, some of the things that added to
the confusion were all of the various agencies that had an interest and
all trying to carry on a simultaneous investigation. This within itself
added to the confusion.
This was a highly unusual type of crime and we are really not set up
for procedures whereby you allow every other agency to come in and go
through all of your evidence in the fashion that it was here, because
of the press of time and so on.
It was a most difficult investigation, but I don’t think the press
materially interfered with the investigation itself. They made things
difficult by asking a lot of questions and taking up a lot of people’s
time and this sort of thing, but they were not allowed in the homicide
bureau.
Mr. HUBERT. All right, Chief Batchelor, I don’t believe that there has
been any conversation between us which has not become the subject of
the actual recorded transcript here, and the rules of the Commission
require that I get your concurrence in that.
That is to say, that we have not discussed anything, have we, off the
record that has not become a part of the record?
Chief BATCHELOR. No, sir; not that I know of.
Mr. HUBERT. All right, sir, have you anything else to comment upon or
add in any way?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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