(Testimony of Richard M. Sims)
Mr. Sims.
(reading from instrument in his possession). "He and Barnes made paraffin casts of both hands and also the right side of his face."
Mr. Ball.
That "he and Barnes"--who is "he"?
Mr. Sims.
That would be Johnny Hicks, I think.
Mr. Ball.
That was Johnny Hicks and Lieutenant Barnes?
Mr. Sims.
Yes, sir; and Barnes is a sergeant.
Mr. Ball.
Sergeant Barnes and Johnny Hicks made the paraffin casts?
Mr. Sims.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Ball.
Of both hands and what side of his face?
Mr. Sims.
And also the right side of his face.
Mr. Ball.
Of whose face?
Mr. Sims.
Oswald's face.
Mr. Ball.
Were you there when they were made?
Mr. Sims.
I was in the room--most of the time I was.
Mr. Ball.
What time were these paraffin casts made?
Mr. Sims.
We started the fingerprinting at 8:55, I believe, they lasted a good long while I don't know how long.
Mr. Ball.
What time were the paraffin casts made?
Mr. Sims.
I don't have any idea--it was sometime after 8:55.
Mr. Ball.
Can you give me an outside limit on it?
Mr. Sims.
Well, sir, they started the fingerprinting at 8:55, I guess--that would take just a rough guess, 10 or 15 minutes to do that, and they had to heat their wax first and make the preparations then for the paraffin tests.
Mr. Ball.
Would you say that the paraffin tests were made not later than 10 o'clock that day?
Mr. Sims.
Not later than 10?
Mr. Ball.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Sims.
No, sir; I couldn't say. I know that they were in the office there all this time making these paraffin casts of his hands and his face.
Mr. Ball.
Then what happened?
Mr. Sims.
Well, at 11:30 p.m. Barratt and I made out the arrest sheets on Oswald.
Mr. Ball.
Where was Oswald then?
Mr. Sims.
He was there and he was still in the office there.
Mr. Ball.
Did you make the arrest sheets out in front of him while he was there in the office?
Mr. Sims.
I don't know if he was present when we did it or not.
Mr. Ball.
But he was still in the interrogation room of Captain Fritz' office?
Mr. Sims.
Yes, sir; he was in one or the other; yes, sir.
Mr. Ball.
Who had charge of him when you made out the arrest sheets?
Mr. Sims.
I don't know who that would be.
Mr. Ball.
What did you do after that?
Mr. Sims.
We made out the arrest sheets on Oswald and shortly afterwards Chief Curry and Captain Fritz came into the office there, came back to the office, and told us to take Oswald down out in front of the stage at the showup room.
Mr. Ball.
Why did you do that?
Mr. Sims.
Because we were told to.
Mr. Ball.
Was that usual to do that?
Mr. Sims.
Is it usual?
Mr. Ball.
Yes.
Mr. Sims.
Yes; it's unusual.
Mr. Ball.
Unusual to do it?
Mr. Sims.
Yes.
Mr. Ball.
He didn't tell you why he did it?
Mr. Sims.
No, sir.
Mr. Ball.
What did you do it for?
Mr. Sims.
Just for the press, I believe.
Mr. Sims.
For the press?
Mr. Ball.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Sims.
What did you do?
Mr. Ball.
We--shortly before midnight--we took him down to the--they
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