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  » Volume XV
Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XV - Page 185« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Cecil E. Talbert)

Mr. Hubert.
10:45, somewhere in that vicinity. It would have been in the vicinity of 10:30 or 10:45.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you ever receive any other instructions concerning security from anyone?
Captain TALBERT. No, sir. Well, may I qualify that. You mean prior to Oswald's shooting?
Mr. Hubert.
Yes, sir.
Captain TALBERT. No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you recall whether there were any conversations concerning the transfer of Oswald?
Captain TALBERT. I am sure there were many, but not in my presence.
Mr. Hubert.
What were your instructions to Lieutenant Pierce regarding the security measures he should take with reference to the basement area
Captain TALBERT. Clear it and seal it off, or seal it off rather and then clear it, and search it.
Mr. Hubert.
Would you describe what "seal it off" means?
Captain TALBERT. Station officers at the entrances or exits and insure unauthorized personnel not entering the area.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you go down to the basement yourself?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you examine to see all possible entrances and direct that the sealing off process cover those possible entrances?
Captain TALBERT. May I qualify again, or ask a question? Do you mean did I direct the actual sealing off?
Mr. Hubert.
Yes.
Captain TALBERT. No, sir; I did not. I examined it after it had been sealed off to see if it had been properly done, and in my opinion it had been.
Mr. Hubert.
Now the clearing process consisted of what? The clearing out or checking whether the building had been sealed, the basement had been sealed?
Captain TALBERT. Clearing all of the civilian employees out. They had a check. This was done before I went to the basement. But I was instructed, or not instructed, I mean informed after I went down to examine it, of the step by step process that had been taken in checking the news personnel back in, or checking them in the jail office that were in there.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, as I understand it, it was not all cleared out of everybody and then accredited personnel let in, but rather those that were in there were checked out to see if they were accredited?
Captain TALBERT. Right, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
I think the accreditation consisted of their being authentic news media people?
Captain TALBERT. Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
Now were you given any instructions to the effect that news media were to be permitted to remain in the basement?
Captain TALBERT. No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Was it then your own initiative that news media were not to be removed from the basement?
Captain TALBERT. No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
How did that come about?
Captain TALBERT. I qualify that in that Sergeant Putnam--as I recall, Sergeant Putnam--it possibly could have been Sergeant Dean was present at the time when Chief Curry told the newsmen there was no point in their setting up their TV cameras and equipment on the third floor, that the man would come through the jail office of the basement. I didn't personally hear it. It was told by him or one of the other of my superiors that Chief Curry had given them that information, or permission, if you wish.
Mr. Hubert.
In other words, you did not clear the basement of news media because you understood from Sergeant Putnam or someone else that he had heard Chief Curry say to the news media that there was no use in their setting up their equipment on the third floor since the transfer would be made through the basement?
Captain TALBERT. Yes. They were in the process of setting up their live
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