(Testimony of Charles Oliver Arnett)
Mr. Arnett.
in there and out--what I mean, there was a crowd there, and as far as seeing what was going on in other offices, I couldn't tell you.
Mr. Griffin.
Now, did there come a time on Saturday night when you received some instructions from one of the other officers?
Mr. Arnett.
Did there?
Mr. Griffin.
Yes.
Mr. Arnett.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Griffin.
Did you call Lieutenant Merrell sometime that night?
Mr. Arnett.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Griffin.
Now, about what time was that?
Mr. Arnett.
It seemed to me like it was around 9 o'clock.
Mr. Griffin.
All right. And what did Lieutenant Merrell tell you?
Mr. Arnett.
That Captain Solomon had called him and-asked to get a few reserves down there the next morning to help with the transfer.
Mr. Griffin.
All right. Now, where was this told to you?
Mr. Arnett.
It was told to me there at the door, to call Lieutenant Merrell. I am trying to think where I went and called from.
Mr. Griffin.
Somebody came up to you at the homicide office
Mr. Arnett.
That's right.
Mr. Griffin.
And said, "Call Lieutenant Merrell"?
Mr. Arnett.
That's right.
Mr. Griffin.
Then you went and made a telephone call?
Mr. Arnett.
I believe I went. in Chief Curry's--not in his office, now, but into the room where all the secretaries and everything are, and used the telephone. I am almost certain I did.
Mr. Griffin.
Did you call Merrell some place outside of the building or
Mr. Arnett.
He was at home.
Mr. Griffin.
He was at home. Is he a regular officer?
Mr. Arnett.
He is a reserve lieutenant.
Mr. Griffin.
He is a reserve lieutenant?
Mr. Arnett.
He is my assistant.
Mr. Griffin.
Then Merrell .told you that you would have to have some men ?
Mr. Arnett.
That they wanted some men, yes, sir.
Mr. Griffin.
So somebody apparently had called Merrell to tell him that, is that right?
Mr. Arnett.
Captain Solomon, I believe.
Mr. Griffin.
Captain Solomon had called Merrell. Now, did you attempt to locate some reserves that night?
Mr. Arnett.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Griffin.
And did you attempt to locate reserves that were already in the police department building?
Mr. Arnett.
I called Lieutenant McCoy, who was on duty, riding in a squad car, put out a call for him to call me at the office, and he did, and I gave him those instructions, to call some of his men the next morning to be there.
Mr. Griffin.
And what time did you tell Lieutenant McCoy that the men should be there?
Mr. Arnett.
Nine o'clock.
Mr. Griffin.
Now, at this point did you have any understanding as to generally when Oswald would be moved; did you have any idea generally when he would be moved?
Mr. Arnett.
Chief Curry told the newsmen that if they were back by 10 o'clock they would be plenty early.
Mr. Griffin.
Did you hear Chief Curry tell them that?
Mr. Arnett.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Griffin.
Other than what you heard Chief Curry say, did you receive any other information?
Mr. Arnett.
Of what time it would be?
Mr. Griffin.
Yes.
Mr. Arnett.
No, sir.
Mr. Griffin.
Now, did you have your conversations with Lieutenant Merrell and Lieutenant McCoy before or after Chief Curry made the announcement to the press?
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