Initial Transfer Public Disclosures
Beginning Saturday night, the public was kept informed of the approximate time of the Oswald transfer. At approximately 10:20 a.m., Chief Curry told a press conference that Oswald would be moved in an armored truck and gave a general description of other security precautions. Newsmen were not informed of the transfer route, and the route was not disclosed to the driver of the armored truck until it arrived at the Commerce Street exit at about 11:07 a.m. Remaining newsmen on the third floor descended to the basement, and some may have glimpsed Oswald putting on a sweater through the glass windows of Captain Fritz’ office.
Armored Truck Positioning Adjustments
Because the driver feared the truck might stall if started from the bottom of the ramp and because the overhead clearance appeared inadequate, Assistant Chief Batchelor had the truck backed only into the entranceway at the top of the ramp. Batchelor and others then inspected the inside of the truck.
Revised Transfer Plan With Decoy Truck
When Chief Curry learned the truck had arrived, he informed Captain Fritz that security controls were in effect and inquired how long the questioning of Oswald would continue. At this point, Fritz learned for the first time of the plan to convey Oswald by armored truck and immediately expressed disapproval. He urged the use of an unmarked police car driven by a police officer for better speed and maneuverability. Curry agreed to Fritz’ plan, with the armored truck to be used as a decoy. The armored truck would leave the ramp first, followed by a car containing only security officers, with the police car bearing Oswald following. After proceeding one block, the car with Oswald would turn off and proceed directly to the county jail, while the armored truck would follow a lead car to the jail along the previously agreed upon and more circuitous route.
Transfer Personnel Assignments
Captain Fritz instructed Detectives C. W. Brown, C. N. Dhority, and a third detective to proceed to the garage and move the followup car and the transfer car into place on the auto ramp. He told Lt. Rio S. Pierce to obtain another automobile from the basement and take up a lead position on Commerce Street. Deputy Chief Stevenson went back to the basement to inform Batchelor and Jones of the change in plans.
Oswald Transfer Preparation
Oswald was given his sweater, and then his right hand was handcuffed to the left hand of Detective J. R. Leavelle. Detective T. L. Baker called the jail office to check on security precautions in the basement and notify officials that the prisoner was being brought down.
Basement Vehicle Positioning
On arriving in the basement, Pierce asked Sergeants James A. Putnam and Billy Joe Maxey to accompany him in the lead car. Since the armored truck was blocking the Commerce Street ramp, they had to drive out the Main Street ramp and circle the block to Commerce Street. Maxey sat on the back seat, and Putnam cleared a path through reporters so Pierce could drive up toward Main Street. At about 11:20 a.m., the car passed the reporters and Putnam entered the car on the right front side. Pierce drove to the top of the Main Street ramp and slowed momentarily as Patrolman Roy E. Vaughn stepped from his position to watch for traffic. After Pierce’s car left the garage area, Brown drove another police car out of the garage, moved part way up the Commerce Street ramp, and began backing down into position to receive Oswald. Dhority also drove the followup car into position ahead of Brown.
Oswald’s Jail Office Exit
As Pierce’s car started up the ramp at about 11:20 a.m., Oswald, accompanied by Captain Fritz and four detectives, arrived at the jail office. Cameramen in the basement hallway took pictures of Oswald through the interior glass windows of the jail office as he was led through to the exit. Some cameramen ran through the double doors near the jail office and squeezed into the line which had formed across the Main Street ramp, while others remained just inside the double doors or proceeded through after Oswald and his escort emerged. When Fritz came to the jail office door, he asked if everything was ready, and a detective answered yes. Someone shouted “Here he comes!”; additional spotlights were turned on. A detective stepped from the jail office toward the transfer car, followed by Fritz, then Oswald with Detective Leavelle at his right, Detective L. C. Graves at his left, and Detective L. D. Montgomery at his rear. Newsmen near the double door moved forward. Detective Montgomery stated that “as soon as we came out this door this bunch here just moved in on us.” Detective B. H. Combest described the newsmen pushing forward, poking sound mikes and flashbulbs at Oswald.
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