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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XII - Page 390« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Lt. Woodrow Wiggins)

Mr. Hubert.
Lieutenant WIGGINS. Well, that was--the 24th, was my first day back since that time. I had been off 2 days prior to that.
Mr. Hubert.
And when you came on duty on the 24th, did you find that security which you have described, already in existence?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. I found that they had one officer in front of the cell, but that they didn't--they still had a trustee running the elevator.
Mr. Hubert.
And you changed that. You took the trustee off and Put an extra man on the cell ?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. That's right.
Mr. Hubert.
I suppose that Oswald was moved in the course of the 24th a couple of times for interviews' and so forth? ?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. I know that I received a call from the fifth floor that some detectives from the homicide bureau were up there to take him out on what they call a "tempo," and this is to take him out for interrogation.
Mr. HUBERT, When he was taken out that way, was he accompanied by the guard that you assigned?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. No; the guard could not take him to the interrogation room.
Mr. Hubert.
And "tempo," is a receipt for a prisoner which relieves you, temporarily, of the duties you have with respect to him ?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. That's true.
Mr. Hubert.
And when he is brought back, your duties and responsibilities for his custody attach to you again? Lieutenant WIGGINS. Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
Now, did you have anything to do with the search of the basement for security ?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. No, sir; I was in and out of the basement looking it over, but I had no duties with the basement.
Mr. Hubert.
I understand. Did you remain in the jail office performing your functions as to incoming prisoners?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. That's true.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you know of any of the plans for removal of Oswald, or the transfer?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. I knew of no plans. I had been informed by the platoon that--I believe that it was understood that he would be transferred after 10 o'clock in the morning. Now, that was---
Mr. Hubert.
No one gave you any orders or assigned any duties to you in
connection with the transfer?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. No.
Mr. Hubert.
Did any sheriff come with a warrant for his release?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. Not to my knowledge.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, under normal circumstances would you allow a prisoner to be removed by the city police? Lieutenant WIGGINS. Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
He would be out of your custody on "tempo," is that right?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. Not necessarily. Let me say this: that the---that the city police transfer prisoners on occasion over to the county jail.
Mr. Hubert.
Yes.
Lieutenant WIGGINS. But, this is rare. It is--there are instances I can name. For instance, they have filed on a prisoner and just for courtesy to the prisoner, more or less, he wants to get to the county and they just transfer him on down to the county themselves.
Mr. Hubert.
How do you relieve yourselves of responsibility in those circumstances?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. Each prisoner who is transferred, the card is signed, or the name of the officer that is making the transfer is placed on his card. His property is turned over to the officer making the transfer.
Mr. Hubert.
Was this done in this way ?
Lieutenant WIGGINS. No: in this case, they were going to take the property later.
Mr. Hubert.
Naturally, he was in the custody of Captain Fritz at the time of the transfer, isn't that right?
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