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
I said, “O.K., sir.” I turned around and went back to the basement.
Mr. HUBERT. Did he tell you any reason other than the maneuverability?
That was the whole reason?
Chief STEVENSON. That’s right. In view of the threats that we had had,
they were going to use the truck as a decoy, and that if they did
encounter a group of people on the streets, they could maneuver the car
more easily and get around them. I left and went to the basement to
notify the men in the basement; Captain Jones, who was my captain.
I met Chief Lumpkin in the hall, and as we went down on the elevator
I advised him of the change. Reached the basement. I advised Captain
Jones and Chief Batchelor. Now, I didn’t advise Captain Talbert because
I don’t believe I saw Captain Talbert there immediately upon my arrival
in the basement.
Mr. HUBERT. So that as far as you know, then the only people who knew
of the change of plans was yourself, Chief Curry, Chief Lumpkin, and
then you told Batchelor?
Chief STEVENSON. I told Captain Jones and Chief Batchelor and Chief
Lumpkin on the way to the basement.
Mr. HUBERT. Now the two detectives, Dougherty and Brown, who were to
drive the two cars, were they told what their role was to be?
Chief STEVENSON. Yes; not of my own knowledge, but I understand they
had gotten their instructions before they left the homicide office that
Dougherty would drive the car containing Oswald and that Brown would be
in the car immediately preceding him.
Mr. HUBERT. Now Rio Pierce was told too, I suppose?
Chief STEVENSON. He was instructed to get his car and park it in front
of the armored truck as if he was leading the armored truck with the
prisoner.
Mr. HUBERT. Was he aware that the armored truck would not contain
Oswald?
Chief STEVENSON. Yes, sir; he was in Captain Fritz’ office at the time
I was instructed that the change had been decided on to take him in a
car and use the truck as a decoy. He was to lead the truck down Elm
Street as had been planned. The car bearing Oswald would cut down west
on Main.
Mr. HUBERT. Brown and Dougherty got their instructions on the third
floor in Fritz’ office?
Chief STEVENSON. In the homicide office; yes.
Mr. HUBERT. They went down before you did then?
Chief STEVENSON. Oh, yes.
Mr. HUBERT. And their instructions were to get the two cars facing
Commerce on the ramp and behind the armored car?
Chief STEVENSON. Yes.
Mr. HUBERT. Do you recall what, if anything, Captain Fritz said when he
came out of the jail office immediately prior to the movement of Oswald
out of the jail office?
Chief STEVENSON. No, sir; I do not. I was not, oh, I would say I was
within 25 feet or that far away from Captain Fritz when they emerged
from the jail office door.
Mr. HUBERT. You don’t remember whether he asked if things were clear or
made any comment?
Chief STEVENSON. To my own knowledge, I don’t. I was told that he did
make that inquiry of possibly Lieutenant Wiggins, I believe it was.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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