Oswald and the Press
When Oswald arrived at police headquarters at about 2 p.m. on Friday, reporters and cameramen were already present. Police formed a wedge around him and took him to the elevator, with several newsmen crowding inside. From Friday afternoon through Sunday, Oswald traversed the 20-foot corridor between the homicide office and the jail elevator at least 15 times, with escorting officers having to push through throngs of newsmen. The Dallas press normally sought permission before photographing prisoners, but this practice was abandoned with Oswald, as newsmen aggressively took pictures, thrust microphones at his face, and shouted questions during his movements, though reporters exercised somewhat more restraint on Saturday.
Friday Night Press Conference
Oswald’s most prolonged exposure occurred at the midnight Friday press conference in the basement assembly room, announced by District Attorney Wade after consulting with Chief Curry and Captain Fritz. An estimated 70 to 100 people, including Jack Ruby and other unauthorized persons, crowded the small room without any identification required. The space was so packed that Deputy Chief Stevenson and Captain Fritz could not enter. Despite Curry’s instructions not to touch Oswald or get close, and his order to reporters not to interview him, the newsmen immediately began shouting questions and shoving microphones. Curry had insisted Oswald stand on the floor rather than the lineup platform, placing him in front of the one-way screen because cameramen complained about photographing through the screen. After a few minutes, Curry ordered Oswald removed because the newsmen “tried to overrun him.”
The Abortive Transfer
In Dallas, the county sheriff ordinarily takes custody of prisoners charged with felonies shortly after the complaint is filed, though in cases of unusual importance the city police sometimes handle transport. Chief Curry decided to move Oswald to the county jail on Sunday morning, announcing this decision Saturday evening. When two reporters mentioned they didn’t want to miss anything, Curry told them that returning by 10 o’clock Sunday morning would ensure they didn’t miss the transfer. After consulting with Captain Fritz, who preferred daylight hours for security reasons, Curry made a similar announcement to the assembled reporters, indicating the transfer would occur around 10 a.m. Sunday.
Decision to Move Oswald
The decision to move Oswald was reached by Chief Curry the preceding evening, after which he discussed timing with Captain Fritz. Fritz preferred not to transfer at night due to visibility concerns, and suggested waiting until daylight, a normal procedure. They agreed on approximately 10 a.m. Sunday, and Curry then informed the newspaper people they would be back in time if they returned by 10 o’clock.
Anonymous Death Threats
Between 2:30 and 3 a.m. Sunday, the local FBI office and the sheriff’s office received telephone calls from an unidentified man warning that a committee had decided “to kill the man that killed the President.” An FBI agent notified the Dallas police of the anonymous threat, and both threats were communicated through the chain to Chief Curry.
Transfer Planning and Route
After discussing the transfer with Sheriff Decker, Curry decided the police would handle the move since they had the investigation and the officers set up downstairs. With the overnight threats in mind, Curry proposed transporting Oswald in an armored truck, which Batchelor and Deputy Chief Stevenson agreed to. While Batchelor arranged the armored truck, Curry and Stevenson agreed on a tentative route to the county jail. Curry decided Oswald would leave via the basement, a decision reached shortly after his Sunday morning arrival. Two officers suggested alternative exits to leave the press waiting, and Forrest Sorrels suggested an unannounced time, but Fritz declined these proposals because Curry had promised the press they could take pictures and wanted to be upfront with them.
Securing the Basement
Preliminary arrangements began Saturday evening, with police reserves requested to provide 8 to 10 men Sunday morning, and additional reservists sought in the morning. Captain C. E. Talbert retained patrolmen in the building and ordered others from several districts to report to the basement. Deputy Chief Stevenson instructed all detectives to remain for the transfer at 9 a.m., and Sheriff Decker’s men were ready at the county jail from early Sunday morning. Talbert undertook to secure the basement by placing policemen outside at the top of the Commerce Street ramp to keep spectators on the opposite side, and later assigned patrolmen to all street intersections along the transfer route, with his most significant measures aimed at excluding unauthorized persons from the basement.
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