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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XII - Page 377« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Detective C. Watson James)

Mr. Hubert.
And Blackie Harrison was to your left? How much space between you and Harrison?
Mr. Watson.
Well, sir; he and I were the only two in the ramp opening, in that distance from the corner to here [indicating]. I believe we were the only two and I believe
Mr. Hubert.
Nobody behind you?
Mr. Watson.
And I believe an officer or two in here [indicating]. I don't remember moving around so much. I mean we didn't take stationary positions designated. Now, we just took positions as we saw fit before they came out.
Mr. Hubert.
Let me mark another circle here, sir. What I am marking is the approximate position of Harrison.
Mr. Watson.
I'd say 3- or 4-foot over.
Mr. Hubert.
Right there [indicating]?
Mr. Watson.
That's right. I would say he would have been a little closer than that.
Mr. Hubert.
I am writing on the map, "Position of Blackie Harrison at time of shooting," and circling that and connecting it with a small circle showing the approximate position of Blackie Harrison. That is your best estimate of where he was ?
Mr. Watson.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
He was also facing in the direction of the Commerce Street--with his back toward Main Street?
Mr. Watson.
I would think so. I mean he could have turned a little, you know. I talked to him a couple of times. He was standing parallel just like I am.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you ever glance towards Main Street during the time you were there?
Mr. Watson.
I glanced toward---I'm sure, a couple of times. I remember the car going out.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you know who was driving the car?
Mr. Watson.
No, sir; I don't know that.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you know Lieutenant Rio Pierce?
Mr. Watson.
I believe Lieutenant Pierce was either in it or driving it, yes. I saw him with the car.
Mr. Hubert.
Did they have difficulty getting through the people?
Mr. Watson.
Yes. At what point up there?
Mr. Hubert.
At the point that you were standing?
Mr. Watson.
I would think that there would probably have been two or three reporters here [indicating], and I am sure there were at this point. There was someone that was kind of in the way, and they had to move them, I think. And possibly right on that edge, I think all of the press were either asked or knew to get back at about that time. I think they all got over the rail about that time.
Mr. Hubert.
How long had you been standing in this position before the shooting?
Mr. Watson.
We had been in there somewhere 20 or 25 minutes. I'd say it must have been 35, 30 or 35 minutes.
Mr. Hubert.
Now, do you think that if a man had been coming down the Main Street ramp just 30 seconds to a minute before the shooting you would have heard his footsteps ?
Mr. Watson.
I don't think so.
Mr. Hubert.
Why not?
Mr. Watson.
Lots of noise going on there. Another thing, I am kind of hard of hearing in my left ear. That is the reason, I think that I can't hear some of the things that were said--I got it in the Navy.
Mr. Hubert.
In any case, you didn't see anybody at all?
Mr. Watson.
No; I just remember glancing
Mr. Hubert.
Let me finish my question. Anybody coming down the Main Street ramp?
Mr. Watson.
No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Nor did you hear them?
Mr. Watson.
No, sir.
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