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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XIII - Page 64« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Forrest V. Sorrels)

Mr. Sorrels.
building, on the Commerce Street side, and we were observing the people across the street from the city hall, as apparently they had been moved over there by officers on duty down below. And we just saw several people over there that were apparently waiting for an opportunity to see them take the prisoner out.
Mr. Hubert.
When you arrived at Chief Batchelor's office, at the point you have just described, to wit, the windows looking out on Commerce Street, do you know whether Oswald had been shot?
Mr. Sorrels.
No; I don't think so, because that was immediately--in other words, when they took Oswald out, I went right on down to the chief's office, that is right on the same floor. And we were there for a few minutes before we heard that he had been shot.
Mr. Hubert.
But the Oswald party left Fritz' office before you and Mr. Kelley did?
Mr. Sorrels.
I am rather positive that he was taken out before I left, yes; because I remember about bringing the clothes in there, and Oswald selecting, I think, a sweater or something like that. I actually have no independent recollection of seeing him going through the door or anything like that. He could have been there when we walked out. But it is my impression that he was taken out and shortly thereafter Mr. Kelley and I went to Chief Batchelor's office.
Mr. Hubert.
Did that involve walking a distance on the same floor of about how many feet?
Mr. Sorrels.
Oh, possibly a 100 feet, 110, something like that. Captain Fritz' office is not at the entirely opposite end of the building, but Chief Batchelor's office is. You go into the executive area there, and you cut over to the left-hand corner, and Chief Batchelor's office is in the corner.
Mr. Hubert.
How did you first learn that Ruby had shot Oswald?
Mr. Sorrels.
One of the police officers that was on duty in the executive area there told us that Oswald had been shot in the basement--in the stomach, as I recall it.
Mr. Hubert.
You were still in Batchelor's office at the time you were told that?
Mr. Sorrels.
I think we were right outside the office, in the area there. I do not believe we were actually in his office at that particular time. I think we had stepped outside there. And that I do not think was over, oh, I would say a maximum of possibly 10 minutes, from the time we left Captain Fritz' office to go to Chief Batehelor's office.
Mr. Hubert.
Prior to the time that this policeman advised you that Oswald had been shot, did you notice any commotion or anything to indicate something wrong going on on Commerce Street?
Mr. Sorrels.
No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, you were standing at the window looking down, as I understand it, on the scene on Commerce Street, waiting actually to see the procession go out. But this officer told you this at the entrance to Batchelor's office?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes. I was not at the window at that time.
Mr. Hubert.
You had moved away?
Mr. Sorrels.
We had walked away from the window, I think, just killing time, I guess. And we were actually in the outside of Batchelor's office, but in that area there.
Mr. Hubert.
All right. What did you do?
Mr. Sorrels.
I immediately rushed down to the basement.
Mr. Hubert.
How did you go--by what route?
Mr. Sorrels.
I grabbed an elevator, as I recall it.
Mr. Hubert.
Public elevator or the jail elevator?
Mr. Sorrels.
No; a public elevator--and got down to the basement floor, and I headed right into the jailer's office. And at that time Oswald was laying on the floor and someone was giving him artificial respiration.
Mr. Hubert.
By mechanical means?
Mr. Sorrels.
No; by hand. I recall slicing his stomach was uncovered, his shirt was pulled up like that, and the man apparently was over him giving him artificial respiration by his hands.
I went to a telephone, which is in the jail office there, up against the wall, and
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