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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XIII - Page 27« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Detective L. D. Montgomery)

Mr. Montgomery.
He said that the armored car was supposed to go up Elm Street and act as a decoy.
Mr. Griffin.
What else did he tell you about how he was going to be moved?
Mr. Montgomery.
Of course, he said, no; he wanted Graves on one side and Leavelle on the other, and wanted Leavelle to handcuff himself to Oswald there so he wouldn't get away, and said, "I'll lead the way out." And told me, said, "I want you to follow behind Oswald," which I did.
Mr. Griffin.
Did he tell you what you were supposed to do?
Mr. Montgomery.
Huh?
Mr. Griffin.
Did he tell you what you were supposed to do?
Mr. Montgomery.
Make sure he didn't get away.
Mr. Griffin.
Was there some concern that Oswald might try to get away? Was this actually discussed, the possibility that Oswald might try to escape?
Mr. Montgomery.
I don't know that there was anything actually discussed about him trying to get away. No.
Mr. Griffin.
But you have the feeling that he might try to break away?
Mr. Montgomery.
No; I didn't have a feeling that he would try, but he just said to stay there with him and make sure he doesn't.
Mr. Griffin.
Well, did you feel that your reason, your primary reason for being behind him was to prevent him from getting away rather than to prevent somebody from getting to him?
Mr. Montgomery.
Keep him from getting away.
Mr. Griffin.
Did anybody explain to you before you went downstairs what the press setup was going to be in the basement?
Mr. Montgomery.
Well, they explained to me----no; because they told me what I was supposed to do, and that is all. They didn't say anything about the press. I heard the captain say that the big cameras was supposed to be back behind the rail there.
Mr. Griffin.
Did you hear anything said about where news personnel was supposed to be?
Mr. Montgomery.
No; I remember they said the news media were down there. No one was down there except news media and officers.
Mr. Griffin.
Now, do you remember any preparation that you made up in the office to take Oswald down to the basement?
Mr. Montgomery.
Uh-huh.
Mr. Griffin.
Tell us about that.
Mr. Montgomery.
Well, he put on a black sweater. I think he changed shirts, changed shirts, and put on a black sweater. The captain asked him about something, if he wanted to wear a hat, and he said, "No." And, of course, they handcuffed him and handcuffed Leavelle to him. Now, other than that that is all I remember about it.
Mr. Griffin.
Now, as you walked out of the homicide office you went into the hallway on the third floor?
Mr. Montgomery.
Uh-huh.
Mr. Griffin.
And there were news people out there, or were there?
Mr. Montgomery.
I don't recall seeing any out there.
Mr. Griffin.
Uh-huh. How about TV people? Do you recall seeing any TV people in the hallway?
Mr. Montgomery.
Didn't see any there.
Mr. Griffin.
All right. You got in the hallway, then did you turn left?
Mr. Montgomery.
Turned left; yes.
Mr. Griffin.
And you went to the area where it is sort of a foyer near the public elevators?
Mr. Montgomery.
No; a prisoner elevator we went down on.
Mr. Griffin.
You walked down the hallway to the left, and then you turned----
Mr. M0NTGOMERY. Went inside the jail elevator door.
Mr. Griffin.
I see.
Mr. Montgomery.
That is only, I guess, about--I guess about 20 foot from the homicide office to that door, or something like that.
Mr. Griffin.
Did you have to wait for the elevator?
Mr. Montgomery.
No.
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