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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XV - Page 184« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Cecil E. Talbert)

Mr. Hubert.
Did you do that on your own initiative, or were you directed or requested to do that by anyone?
Captain TALBERT. I did it on my own due to the buildup of public curiosity seekers around the building, as well as the buildup around the city jail, and traffic conditions in the downtown area on Sunday were extraordinarily heavy due to the situation that had just occurred. And I thought that if a transfer were made, then we should have some precautions to safeguard it, and also to keep from having chaos in attempting to do it immediately.
Mr. Hubert.
Were you aware then that the transfer of Oswald would be made by utilizing some part of the basement area, or were you just assuming that it would?
Captain TALBERT. Strictly an assumption, sir, and from the fact that he might not. Transfer was strictly an assumption from the press, what had been released in the press the day before.
Mr. Hubert.
In other words, you did not know at that time that Oswald would be transferred on Sunday?
Captain TALBERT. No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Had you been in contact with any superior prior to the institution of these security precautions you have just described?
Captain TALBERT. I had talked to Chief Curry on the telephone in the early morning hours just prior to 7, somewhere along there.
Mr. Hubert.
I think you have already covered that in your previous deposition.
Captain TALBERT. Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he at that time direct you to institute any security precautions?
Captain TALBERT. No.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you institute any security precautions other than the ones that you just described concerning the basement?
Captain TALBERT. That I described in the previous deposition, or presently?
Mr. Hubert.
No; in the present one.
Captain TALBERT. You mean further along in the morning, sir?
Mr. Hubert.
Well, no. I was thinking about security precautions in other areas than the basement at that time.
Captain TALBERT. No, sir. I didn't have the personnel.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you take any steps to initiate security precautions as to other areas than the basement at any time on Sunday?
Captain TALBERT. When the crowd began to get heavy, began to gather on Commerce Street, then on the Commerce Street side we had had the previous warning from the FBI and an anonymous caller of a possible mob action, so we moved the civilians from the north side of Commerce to the south side of Commerce and stationed, or had Sergeant Steele station some reserve officers out there to maintain the free sidewalk as well as the surveillance of the ground.
Mr. Hubert.
Was that done at your direction and order?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you receive instructions from some person higher in command than you to do it, or did you do it on your own initiative?
Captain TALBERT. I just saw the necessity of doing it, so I did it on my own initiative.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you ever receive from anyone any specific instructions concerning security precautions other than what you have mentioned?
Captain TALBERT. In reference to the original deposition, I pointed out in there about the receiving of instructions and transferring the prisoner from the city jail to the county jail. I received instructions on this.
Mr. Hubert.
From whom?
Captain TALBERT. From Chief Lumpkin and Chief Stevenson at the time they told me about the prisoner being transferred, that he would be transferred in an armored car.
Mr. Hubert.
About what time was that, do you know? I mean the time that you received that information and these instructions?
Captain TALBERT. I was trying to refer to something for a time. 10:30 to
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