(Testimony of Forrest V. Sorrels)
Mr. Sorrels.
say, "He is Sorrels of the Secret Service." I, upon being recognized and identifying myself, would be admitted. Some of the officers on duty there of course after the second or third time they would recognize me, and I would have no difficulty getting in. But I cannot say that I saw anyone else being required to identify themselves, because I did not hang around the places where the officers were.
Mr. Hubert.
Would you say that the security conditions that you just described were in effect for the entire period of November 22 through November 24--that is, on the third floor?
Mr. Sorrels.
Captain Fritz' office definitely yes--going into his office. I do not recall having to identify myself to get onto the third floor on the 22d when I first got down there. But subsequent to that time, I do recall having to identify myself almost every time I went up there.
Mr. Hubert.
What was the general condition of the third floor area from point of personnel, equipment, and so forth?
Mr. Sorrels.
I guess you could term it more or less deplorable, because of the fact that they had so many cameras with tripods and cables and wires and photographers and reporters that you would have to step over tripods and wires and almost elbow your way to get in and out of the place. And every time you would come out of it--Captain Fritz' office they would turn on those bright lights, and you would have to shield your eyes almost to keep from being temporarily blinded.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you mean--that last condition you described took place when anybody came out of Fritz' office, or when they came out with Oswald?
Mr. Sorrels.
No--I would not say Just anybody, but many times when I would start out, the minute they would see anyone coming out of the door, they would turn the lights on,. I guess to be prepared in case Oswald or anyone else that they wished to photograph would come out.
Mr. Hubert.
During the period that we are talking about, that is, say, from the arrest of Oswald the first time you saw him until the 24th, I take it that you observed Oswald being moved from Captain Fritz' office to the jail elevator at least quite a number of times.
Mr. Sorrels.
I can only recall two times, I believe. The first time is when he was taken out of Captain Fritz' office on the afternoon of the 22d. Then there were two other occasions I knew of when he was brought back into Captain Fritz' office and when he was taken out. I remember that many times. In other words, about three going out and two coming in I can definitely recall.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, do you recall that while he was being so moved on any one of those occasions, that he was addressed by the press or questions asked him, or remarks made to him?
Mr. Sorrels.
No, because the time that I saw him he was in Captain Fritz' office or being removed from his office. I never saw him in the hallway that I can recall.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, I thought you had mentioned a little while ago that on the first occasion you did observe him---after you had interviewed him for about 10 minutes--you did observe him move out of Fritz' office and go to the elevator.
Mr. Sorrels.
I think your question, as I understand it, sir, was that he was removed from Captain Fritz' office to the elevator. I did not see him taken down the hallway.
Mr. Hubert.
I see; I did misunderstand you.
Mr. Sorrels.
Sorry.
Mr. Hubert.
So you do not know really whether or not any news media or any other people asked him questions and made remarks to him while he was going from Fritz' office to the elevator.
Mr. Sorrels.
Not of my personal knowledge; no, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Could those news people see into Fritz' office from the hallway?
Mr. Sorrels.
They could see into the outer office, but they could not very well see into his office unless they actually came inside the office within which his office is located. You have got one door that faces on the west side of the office, and then Captain Fritz' there faces north. So that it would be a question of someone might see just a corner portion of his office from the hallway door,
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