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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XIII - Page 72« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Forrest V. Sorrels)

Mr. Hubert.
That is the report that you submitted to your superiors?
Mr. Sorrels.
In Washington.
Mr. Hubert.
Which ultimately, of course, they sent. The report covers the events of November 24, is that right?
Mr. Sorrels.
That is right.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you know why it was flied on February 3?
Mr. Sorrels.
Why it was written on February 3? I was instructed by Inspector Kelley to write up a memorandum on the interview that I had with Jack Ruby, shortly after Oswald was shot by Ruby, and also the interview that was had with Captain Fritz and Ruby at which I was present on the same date.
Mr. Hubert.
When did you receive those instructions?
Mr. Sorrels.
I cannot say exactly when I received them--probably within a day or two, or it could have been longer, because due to. the press of other work and things arising out of the assassination, and its duties, the other duties, it was not written as soon as it should have been. And I may have been instructed some time before that to--as quick as I could to get the memorandum prepared.
Mr. Hubert.
What I mean is that normally you would write such a report as this in any case?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes, that is true.
Mr. Hubert.
And normally it would be written sooner----
Mr. Sorrels.
Sooner, that is right.
Mr. Hubert.
Than 2 months or so afterwards?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
That is what I am asking--if you can tell us what was the cause of the delay.
Mr. Sorrels.
Well, it is just the fact that we were burdened with all the additional work and things brought about by this assassination and investigation and so forth. I guess you could term it, possibly, negligence on my part for not just taking time off and doing it. That is about the only explanation I can give for that. It was not any willful intent to not write it or anything to that effect.
Mr. Hubert.
There is no suggestion as to that.
Mr. Sorrels.
I know. But that is just as a matter of explanation.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you think it was written on that date because Mr. Kelley told you shortly before that date, to wit, February 3, that you should write it, or is it your impression that Mr. Kelley had told you long before it was written to write it?
Mr. Sorrels.
There is a possibility that he may have told me before. I don't recall it specifically. But I do know that Inspector Kelley had instructed me to write up the report.
Mr. Hubert.
Do you recall having a conversation with Mr. Burr Griffin, the gentleman who is in the office now, concerning what you knew about what Ruby had said in your interviews with him?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes; I do. And that refreshed my memory a bit, because I recall that Inspector Kelley, after I had talked to Mr. Griffin on the telephone Inspector Kelley told me to get it written up, get it in writing, about the interview, and get it in. I remember that now, since you mention it.
Mr. Hubert.
So that actually the report was written because Inspector Kelley instructed you to do so, and as you recall it he did so because of the conversation with Mr. Griffin?
Mr. Sorrels.
I would surmise that, because, as I recall it now, either right after I got through talking to Mr. Griffin or shortly thereafter, Mr. Kelley did instruct me to get the interview, as I recall it, in a report, and get it in to him.
Mr. Hubert.
But normally I think you said this report would have been written anyhow, without any suggestion by Mr. Kelley or anybody else?
Mr. Sorrels.
Yes; that is right.
Mr. Hubert.
And it was your intent to write it, you say, but you didn't get around to it?
Mr. Sorrels.
That is about the best explanation I know to make on it.
Mr. Hubert.
Now, do you recall a conversation with Chief Curry with respect to what you knew that Ruby had said?
Perhaps I can identify the conversation a bit more by saying to you that it
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