Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

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.