Alternative Basement Entry Route Investigation
Former police officer N. J. Daniels testified that 3 or 4 minutes before the shooting, he saw a man walk down the Main Street ramp in full view of patrolman R. E. Vaughn without being stopped or questioned. However, Daniels did not identify the man as Ruby, gave a description that differed importantly from Ruby’s November 24 appearance, and testified he did not think the man was Ruby. On November 24, Vaughn telephoned Daniels who initially said he had not seen anyone enter, and Daniels did not come forward with his statement until November 29. The Commission found his testimony to have little credibility.
Debunking Press Badge and Police Car Entry Claims
The Commission found no credible evidence to support any entry route other than the Main Street ramp. Two Dallas detectives believed they observed three men pushing a WBAP-TV camera into the basement minutes before the shooting, but films showed only two men pushing the camera. The third WBAP-TV employee apparently ran to help steady the camera as it entered. Since the camera entered close to 4 minutes before the shooting, it is virtually impossible that Ruby could have been in the basement at that time.
Police Complicity in Ruby’s Entry Investigation
The Commission investigated alternative basement entry routes. Ruby could have walked to the Commerce Street ramp in about 2½ minutes, but video tapes show an armored truck blocking that entranceway with only narrow clearance, making it improbable that Ruby could have passed unnoticed. Any other route would have required passing through the Police and Courts Building or the Municipal Building and then through one of five secured doors into the basement, though testimony was not completely positive about one door.
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